An active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design

Abstract

The present invention discloses an active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design, which belongs to the field of 3D printing technology and includes the following steps: S101: presetting the type of micro-block unit used when building a model and the resolution of the micro-block unit; S102: combined modeling, synchronously performing micro-block matching, and generating a model composed of micro-block units; S103: optimizing the model, optimizing the model by de-duplication, smoothing and homogenization; S104: spatially deconstructing the optimized model, and generating a printing path according to the distribution and sorting of the micro-block units; S105: detecting the printing path, if the printing rule interferes with the movement of the printer, executing a secondary optimization printing path, and then executing the printing operation; if there is no impact, transmitting the generated printing path to the 3D printer to execute the printing operation. The present invention completes modeling by presetting micro-block units, avoids the problem of information loss in partition printing, and improves printing efficiency by processing when the printing path is generated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printing, and in particular relates to an active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, 3D printing, as an emerging technology, has gradually entered the public's field of vision; the endless variety of 3D printers have received multiple favors from domestic and foreign scientific researchers, enterprises and consumers, and have been widely used in manufacturing, medical, education and art. At present, with the update and iteration of printer technology, many 3D printers that can achieve multi-color printing have appeared on the market. These models can replace color materials according to the requirements of printing colors, thereby achieving the function of colorful printing, making 3D printed products more creative and highly customizable.

[0003] However, most of the existing 3D printing research on the market focuses on the structural design and optimization of the printing part, while ignoring the front-end design of the printing object and its correlation with the printing output device, which is mostly manifested as "passive" printing. The characteristics and disadvantages of this printing method are mainly reflected in:

[0004] (1) The focus of the task is to print out objects that are consistent with the reference, and the reference design process is complicated and not friendly to non-professionals;

[0005] (2) The design, slicing and printing execution modules of the reference object are completely separated from each other and work independently. There is a lack of integration and interaction between the front and back, and what you see is often not what you get.

[0006] (3) The printing process mostly relies on slice data to print layer by layer, which is rigid and inefficient;

[0007] (4) Since the design, slicing and output printing are completely separated, the non-position information of the reference object (such as color, accuracy, etc.) is mostly difficult to transmit and output, making printing difficult. Currently, with the continuous increase in the demand and complexity of 3D printing, the disadvantages of this passive printing method have become more and more prominent, seriously limiting the further development of 3D printing technology.

[0008] To this end, we proposed an active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem in the prior art that the design process is separated from the printing process and non-position information is difficult to transmit, and an active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design is proposed.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0011] An active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design includes the following steps:

[0012] S101: presetting the type of micro-blocks and the resolution of the micro-blocks used when building the model;

[0013] S102: Combined modeling, synchronously performing micro-block matching, and generating a model composed of micro-block units;

[0014] S103: Optimizing the model by performing de-duplication processing, smoothing processing, and equalization processing on the model;

[0015] S104: spatially deconstructing the optimized model, and generating a printing path according to the distribution and order of the micro-block units;

[0016] S105: Detect the printing path. If the printing rule interferes with the printer movement, perform secondary optimization of the printing path and then execute the printing job; if there is no impact, transmit the generated printing path to the 3D printer and execute the printing job.

[0017] The microblock preset step needs to first determine the type and resolution of the relevant microblocks required for the model according to user needs. The types of microblocks include but are not limited to spheres, prisms, pyramids, etc. The higher the resolution of the microblock, the higher the fineness of the microblock, and the smaller the actual size.

[0018] Preferably, the combined modeling in step S102 includes a part block creation scene and an assembly scene, the parts created in the part block creation scene are assembled in the assembly scene, and color information can be set for the part blocks and the assembly in both scenes.

[0019] Preferably, in the part block creation scene, matching analysis is performed according to the preset micro-block unit in step S101, and the corresponding micro-block information is recorded. When modeling the part block, the selected micro-block type is called for matching analysis, and the relevant micro-blocks are optimally positioned against the model, and the type, color and other information of the micro-blocks are recorded at the same time, and the relevant information is stored and waits for allocation. When the part fast modeling operation is completed and added to the assembly modeling scene, the background will call the model, color and other information of the micro-block related to the model to add it to the total model data, and re-assign these micro-blocks with new position information according to the center position of the assembly scene. After the assembly of all part blocks is completed, the model is matched with secondary optimization, the overall structure of the model is inspected, and the data of the micro-block positioning is given by comparing the corresponding data, so that the micro-block composition generated by the assembly model is more reasonable. After the matching optimization is completed, the total data code of the model is generated, and the next step is processed.

[0020] Preferably, the deduplication process in step S103 checks the model structure of the model matching, calculates whether there is an interference match, which refers to the repeated appearance of multiple micro-block units at the same model position resulting in micro-block overlap and obstruction, and removes the micro-block units that cause conflicts.

[0021] Preferably, the smoothing process in step S103 is performed by analyzing all matched micro-blocks, scanning the formed outer surface, and calculating the average position of each vertex moved to its neighboring vertices to achieve a smoothing effect.

[0022] Smoothing treatment specifically includes the following methods:

[0023] 1) Neighborhood vertex calculation: First, determine the neighborhood range of each vertex, and use fixed radius neighborhood search or K-nearest neighbor algorithm to obtain the neighborhood vertices of each vertex.

[0024] 2) Vertex movement calculation: Calculate the average position of each vertex in its neighborhood by taking a weighted average of the coordinates of all neighboring vertices. The formula is as follows:

[0025]

[0026] in, is the smoothness coefficient, Represents a vertex The set of neighboring vertices of Represents the neighborhood vertices The coordinates of .

[0027] 3) Smooth iteration: Perform multiple iterations according to the surface conditions. Each iteration updates the model according to the new vertex position. The number of iterations and the smooth coefficient can be adjusted as needed. The smooth coefficient controls the step size of vertex movement in each iteration. The value range is 0 to 1. The larger the value, the stronger the smooth effect, but the more likely the volume collapse problem will occur.

[0028] Preferably, the homogenization process in step S103 includes size scaling, centering and density homogenization.

[0029] Size scaling refers to scaling the size of all microblocks to a standard range. By calculating the enclosing range of the relevant microblocks, all microblocks are scaled according to the size of the enclosing range, and finally taking the appropriate value to achieve the effect of size normalization.

[0030] The size scaling specifically includes the following methods:

[0031] 1) Enclosing range calculation: Determine the bounding box of each microblock, calculate the length, width and height of the bounding box, and scale it according to the set standard range.

[0032] 2) Size normalization: Scale each microblock according to the size of the bounding box to ensure that the size of all microblocks is within a standard range. Set the standard size to S, then the scaling ratio of each microblock is:

[0033]

[0034] The centering is performed by calculating the center of mass of the entire model and subtracting the coordinates of the center of mass from the coordinates of all microblocks, thereby moving the entire model composed of microblocks to the origin.

[0035] The centralization specifically includes the following methods:

[0036] 1) Center of mass calculation: Calculate the center of mass of the entire model. The center of mass can be obtained by the average value of all vertex coordinates. The formula is as follows:

[0037]

[0038] in, is the total number of vertices, is the vertex The coordinates of .

[0039] 2) Coordinate adjustment: Subtract the center of mass coordinate from the coordinate of each microblock to move the entire model to the origin. The formula is as follows:

[0040]

[0041] The density averaging is performed by analyzing all matched microblocks and adjusting the density distribution of the microblocks according to the number of microblocks and the volume of the entire model, so that the microblocks are evenly distributed in the entire space.

[0042] The density averaging specifically comprises the following methods:

[0043] 1) Density calculation: Calculate the density distribution of microblocks in the current model and determine areas with higher and lower density;

[0044] 2) Density adjustment: reduce the number of microblocks in high-density areas and increase the number of microblocks in low-density areas, achieving uniform distribution through interpolation and deletion operations;

[0045] 3) Density normalization: Normalize the microblock density of the entire model so that the number of microblocks per unit volume is roughly the same, ensuring that the microblocks are evenly distributed throughout the model.

[0046] Preferably, the step of generating the printing path of step S104 includes, firstly, generating the path code of the entire microblock across the layer height limit, specifically, taking the bottom surface of the model as the horizontal reference plane, analyzing the types and colors of all microblocks on this layer, arranging and positioning all microblocks, generating the paths of microblocks of different colors according to the order of the color extrusion amount, and verifying the printing path. The code generation step is the main step of G code generation, which mainly performs spatial deconstruction of the model. After the above two steps are processed, a system model composed of microblock matching and optimized has been generated. Different types of microblocks are classified, the number, position and color information of each microblock are calculated, and then they are first sorted according to the amount of material required for the color. The color with less material required will be deconstructed first, and then secondary sorting is performed according to the type of microblock.

[0047] Prioritize to directly generate the path code of the entire microblock, bypassing the layer height limit. Take the bottom surface of the model as a horizontal reference plane, analyze the types and colors of all microblocks on this layer, and arrange and locate all microblocks on this horizontal reference plane through pre-analysis. After identifying the corresponding microblock, the printing path of the entire microblock is directly packaged and generated according to the scaling ratio and its location, and the corresponding path is generated. After it generates a single microblock printing path, it continues to generate the path of other microblocks of the same color on the same horizontal reference plane. After all the microblock paths of the same color and the same horizontal plane are generated, the path generation of other color microblocks on the same horizontal plane is carried out in the order of color extrusion. Specifically, in view of the significant improvement of microblock resolution, the inter-layer optimization function handles the constraint of "layer height limit" while ensuring printing accuracy and efficiency. Specifically, the maximum threshold of the layer height limit is set, which not only ensures that the print head can move freely without violating the physical limitations of the printer, but also maintains the continuity and accuracy of the printing path and avoids potential interference. After completing the path generation of all microblocks on the current horizontal plane, perform gap analysis and filling operations. The algorithm accurately calculates the volume and shape of the remaining space, and then selects a color of material to fill these gaps based on the user's preset fill rate (such as percentage) and fill mode (such as grid, honeycomb, etc.). At this point, the path generation of a single horizontal reference plane has reached a perfect state.

[0048] Preferably, the verification of the printing path includes, after the path of a single horizontal reference plane is generated, verifying the integrity of the current reference plane, that is, whether it can form a continuous, flat horizontal reference plane that meets the model design requirements. If so, the path generation of the next horizontal plane is performed; if not, the spatial deconstruction and reconstruction is initiated to ensure that the top surface is filled by adding necessary support structures or adjusting the micro-block layout. More specifically, when it is detected that the color needs to be changed, the optimal path will be preset to allow the nozzle to move smoothly and accurately to the material change area. In this process, the relevant path is generated by comprehensively considering the needs of avoiding collisions, shortening the path, and maintaining the optimization of the nozzle state. If the application requirements include color mixing and gradient effects, the relevant code for the mixing ratio of different pigments is further generated, and the function is realized by generating different speed codes for the extruder.

[0049] Preferably, the detection printing path in step S105 is performed by calculating the printer motion path, using spatial geometry and collision detection principles to detect whether each end of the path interferes with the printer components and the printed materials. If interference occurs, the relevant layers of interference are regenerated and inserted into the original position. The core task of the detection algorithm is to identify and generate complete, non-interference printing path segments. The algorithm traverses the entire predetermined printing path and uses spatial geometry and collision detection principles to check whether each segment in the path (such as a line segment or a curve segment) interferes with the printer components, the printed materials or other obstacles. Once interference is found, the algorithm intelligently adjusts the affected path segments or regenerates these segments to ensure that they can be executed safely and continuously while maintaining coordination and efficiency with the overall printing task. Second, after processing the relevant path code, the start code is automatically added, and the content includes the printer's return to zero operation, fan start and stop, and print stop code. Third, at the code where color conversion is required, the system will automatically add the relevant code for the pigment flushing operation, including the path code for the nozzle to move to the material change point and the different rates of different color extruders. After arriving at the material change area, the print head needs to perform precise docking operations according to the procedure and be closely connected to the new pigment container. At the same time, the color cleaning program is started, and the residual pigment in the print head is thoroughly removed using cleaning fluid or a specific cleaning program to prevent color contamination. In addition, the extruder speed is adjusted to match the physical properties of the new pigment and printing requirements.

[0050] In summary, the present invention provides a path generation method for micro-block color 3D printing, which has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0051] 1. The present invention allows users to construct models by themselves by setting combined modeling steps, breaking through the limitation of only using fixed models. The color of micro-blocks can be set at the modeling level so that users can color the models more easily, which is more flexible and simple, and also increases the sense of participation and fun of 3D printing.

[0052] 2. The present invention adds the concept of microblocks and simplifies complex models by setting the model matching part of the microblock combination modeling step. When generating the path code, the identified related microblocks are located, and according to the type of the microblock, the related codes are actively packaged and generated, rather than passively cut and calculated according to a single path. This reduces the amount of calculation of the system while ensuring the completion of the complex model, and ensures the quality of the work. In addition, the active generation of path codes realizes the overall printing of a single block, and avoids the problems of incomplete color blocks and structural deformation caused by the use of partitioned printing in pursuit of speed by the path algorithm, which largely ensures that the printed product can maintain its original characteristics without ignoring its integrity.

[0053] 3. The present invention solves the possible interference matching problem by setting the deduplication processing of the model optimization step, thereby reducing the complexity of the path generation calculation, and can improve the processing efficiency of the subsequent path code generation link, improve the response speed, and ensure the efficiency and quality of 3D printing.

[0054] 4. The present invention scales the size of the relevant microblocks to a standard range by setting a step of homogenization in model optimization, thereby improving the comparability of microblock data and consistency of processing, making the overall data of the model more complete and specific, and ensuring an efficient, accurate and reliable conversion process from digital models to physical prints, while also reducing the problem of material waste in the printing process.

[0055] 5. The present invention sets color allocation and priority processing in the path generation step, classifies different types of microblocks, calculates the number, position and color information of each microblock, and sorts them according to the required amount of material, thereby ensuring that colors requiring less material are given priority in spatial deconstruction, reducing the number of color switching and improving printing efficiency; secondly, processing colors requiring less material first can better control the use of materials and avoid unnecessary waste.

[0056] 6. The present invention can directly print the entire microblock by setting up the spatial deconstruction of the path generation step, bypassing the layer height limit, which can reduce the switching between layers and further improve the printing speed and quality. The preset microblock code makes the path generation more active, and the corresponding code is quickly added to the path code, which improves the efficiency and ensures the integrity of the work. This design improves the flexibility and efficiency of the path generation link as a whole, and also ensures the quality of the 3D printed work.

[0057] 7. The present invention sets up intelligent filling in the path generation step. After each layer of path generation is completed, it detects whether there is a vacant area in the layer and fills the remaining part according to the set filling rate and filling shape. This method ensures that the internal structure of the printed part is uniform and increases strength and stability.

[0058] 8. The present invention sets up inter-layer skipping processing of the path generation step. If it is detected that the next horizontal plane model has been included in the previous horizontal plane, the path generation of this layer will be skipped directly to avoid repeated processing and improve the overall efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the process in the present invention;

[0060] Figure 2 It is the technical roadmap of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0062] Embodiment 1

[0063] As shown in the figure, an active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design includes: S101: presetting the type of micro-blocks used when building a model and the resolution of the micro-blocks;

[0064] S102: Combined modeling, synchronously performing micro-block matching, and generating a model composed of micro-block units;

[0065] S103: Optimizing the model by performing de-duplication processing, smoothing processing, and equalization processing on the model;

[0066] S104: spatially deconstructing the optimized model, and generating a printing path according to the distribution and order of the micro-block units;

[0067] S105: Detect the printing path. If the printing rule interferes with the printer movement, perform secondary optimization of the printing path and then execute the printing job; if there is no impact, transmit the generated printing path to the 3D printer and execute the printing job.

[0068] In the microblock preset step, the user needs to first determine the type and resolution of the microblock that the model needs to match. The microblock type is preset by the system and is available in multiple options. After a microblock is selected, the microblock will be given priority when the subsequent model is matched with the microblock. The resolution of the microblock can be regarded as the size setting of the microblock. The higher the resolution, the smaller the size of the microblock and the finer the microblock. The resolution of the microblock depends on the situation of the 3D printer equipment, which is mainly determined by the diameter of the nozzle and the error of the printer: the smaller the nozzle diameter and the smaller the printer error, the higher the resolution that can be set for the microblock.

[0069] Combined modeling steps, transition from part block modeling in the first scene to assembly in the second scene. In the first scene, you can edit a single part. After setting the initial plane shape of the part, and then setting the degree of elevation or other indicators, the part block will be loaded in the first scene, and then the model can be colored. At this time, the system background will call the already set micro-block model for active matching, and calculate the optimal matching position data and color data matching. When the matching model cannot be fully matched by the selected micro-block model, the system will call other modules for auxiliary supplementation. After the part block is designed, it needs to be added to the second scene assembly scene for assembly. In this step, the model data composed of micro-block models that have been calculated before will be added to the total model database. During the process, the system will recalculate the position data of each micro-block model and locate it in the second scene for secondary data generation. In the second scene, it is necessary to set the assembly method of each added part block and the remaining part blocks. When adding each part block, its data in the first scene will be added to the main database until the entire model is built. The data code of the entire model is generated in the main database, which contains key information such as the position information and color information of each micro block. After confirming that the model has been set up, the system will perform a second update on the current micro block matching of the model, eliminate unreasonable parts, add necessary connection change codes, synchronize to the main database in real time, and improve the data code of the model. At this point, the first step of micro block modeling is completed.

[0070] In the model optimization step, the system will further optimize the total model data code generated in the micro-block modeling step. After having the position information of all micro-blocks, the system will locate all micro-blocks, and then optimize the surface and distribution of the model. The first is deduplication. The system will examine the model structure after model matching to detect whether the model has interference matching problems. It has never used different accuracy standards for deduplication for the surface and internal areas of the model. The system will give priority to analyzing the edge and surface structure of the model, examine the micro-block models protruding on the surface of the model, and delete or operate faster micro-block types; for the inside of the model, the system will remove the micro-blocks with model conflicts after calculation and analysis, and finally the system can generate a more realistic, stable and reasonable model building posture. The second step is to smooth the model. The smoothing process is achieved by analyzing all matched micro-blocks and scanning the formed outer surface. Since the matched micro-blocks need to form the edge of the model, the micro-block models may protrude on the surface due to conflicts, resulting in an uneven surface of the model. Smoothing is achieved by calculating the average position of each vertex moving to its neighboring vertices. The system can perform one or more smoothing processes on the model. The more times the smoothing process is performed, the more obvious the smoothing effect is, but it may cause problems such as volume shrinkage. At the same time, the smoothing process has a smoothing coefficient that controls the step size of the vertex movement in each smoothing iteration. The smoothing coefficient has a range of values. The larger the value, the stronger the smoothing effect, but the more likely the volume collapse problem will occur. The last step is to perform homogenization on the model. The homogenization process is mainly divided into three parts, namely size scaling, centralization and density homogenization. The size scaling refers to scaling the size of all microblocks to a standard range, calculating the surrounding range of the relevant microblock model, and then scaling all microblocks according to the size of the surrounding range, and finally taking a suitable value to achieve the effect of size normalization. The centralization calculates the center of mass of the entire model, and then subtracts the coordinates of the center of mass from the coordinates of all microblocks, so that the entire model composed of microblocks can be moved to the origin. The density homogenization analyzes all matched microblocks, adjusts the density distribution of microblocks according to the number of microblocks and the volume of the entire model, and makes the microblocks evenly distributed in the entire space. After all model optimizations are completed, the model data has been fully processed and added to the database.

[0071] In the code generation step, after receiving the corresponding model data given by the model optimization step, the system will classify the microblocks based on the same horizontal plane, first classify them according to the type of microblocks, and then classify and sort them according to the color after the classification is completed. After the sorting is completed, the system will perform spatial deconstruction on the entire model, that is, decompose the model from the spatial level and start path analysis. The system will give priority to the whole microblocks of the same color in the same horizontal plane for path generation, and then generate codes in sequence according to the color and type of the classified microblocks until all microblocks in the same horizontal plane are printed. Among them, different types of microblocks have their preset codes, and you only need to update their data to directly package and generate path codes. After completing the path generation of all microblock models on the same horizontal plane, the system will only fill the horizontal layer, analyze the horizontal layer that has been generated, and automatically fill the remaining part. Since the microblock has a layer height, if the layer height involves the next horizontal plane, the microblocks that are repeatedly calculated will be skipped when the microblocks of the next horizontal plane are generated. Since the micro-blocks are printed in advance across the layer height, the system will calculate and avoid path obstacles that may occur during printing. The system has corresponding inter-layer optimization processing. If the micro-blocks of the next horizontal plane have been fully included, the system will skip the horizontal plane and directly proceed to the spatial deconstruction of the next horizontal plane. After the horizontal layer covers the entire model, the system will also supplement and optimize the generated code, specifically involving interference detection, start code addition, and color processing code conversion. After completing the code optimization, the G code is completely generated.

[0072] The technical solution in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application has at least the following technical effects or advantages: through the setting of micro-block units, it is easy to get started in the combination modeling stage, and the active generation of path codes realizes the overall printing of a single block, and also avoids the problems of incomplete color blocks and structural deformation caused by the use of partitioned printing in pursuit of speed by the path algorithm; and by crossing the layer height limit during printing, the switching between layers is reduced, thereby improving the printing speed and quality.

[0073] Embodiment 2

[0074] The present application also provides an active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design, such as Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a flow chart of the active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design provided in Example 2, which includes five steps S101-S105; the following takes printing a Rubik's Cube model as an example to describe the entire 3D printing path generation process. Each face of the Rubik's Cube model has a different color, showing the advantages of active colorful 3D printing.

[0075] Step S101: Micro-block preset

[0076] In the microblock modeling step, the user sets the microblock data according to the requirements and determines the type and resolution of the required microblock. In this example, the user selects prism as the microblock type and sets a higher resolution.

[0077] Step S102: Combined modeling

[0078] The system sets micro-blocks according to the information input by the user and performs block modeling in the first scene.

[0079] The user first creates the various parts of the Rubik's Cube model in the first scene, such as each small piece of the Rubik's Cube, and colors them. The user can create these parts by himself or add them directly through the system preset. At the same time, the system starts to use the prismatic micro-block model for model matching, and the part block is composed of prismatic micro-blocks.

[0080] Then, the user drags these parts blocks to the second scene for assembly, and the data of the parts blocks are synchronously transmitted to the overall model library. During the assembly process, the user can select the corresponding faces for assembly and perform operations such as changing the color of the model. The user colored the Rubik's Cube model in the assembly scene, making each face of the Rubik's Cube have a different color, forming six faces of different colors. After confirming that the model is assembled, the system begins to perform secondary matching optimization on the overall model data and save the data.

[0081] Step S103: Model optimization

[0082] The system pre-processes the generated Rubik's Cube model to make it more refined. Model optimization includes three processing methods: deduplication, smoothing and homogenization.

[0083] After the above processing, the overall model data of the Rubik's Cube becomes more reasonable, the surface becomes more refined, and the distribution of micro-blocks is also improved.

[0084] Step S104: Path generation

[0085] The optimized Rubik's Cube model is spatially deconstructed, and the printing path code is generated according to the distribution and order of micro-blocks.

[0086] The system first identifies and sorts the faces of the Rubik's Cube, each of which is made up of a series of prismatic microblocks of the same color. These microblocks are sorted by color, such as white, yellow, blue, green, red, and orange. To optimize printing efficiency and material usage, the system calculates how much material is required for each color and sorts them accordingly. In this case, the system may prioritize colors that require less material (such as white, because one face of the Rubik's Cube may be larger or smaller than other color faces, depending on the Rubik's Cube design), and then process the faces of other colors in turn.

[0087] Due to the structural characteristics of the Rubik's Cube, its faces are not continuous in the vertical direction, but are composed of multiple prisms stacked on top of each other. Traditional 3D printing methods may be limited by layer height, that is, only one layer can be printed at a time. However, when printing the Rubik's Cube, the system can adopt an innovative printing strategy, namely "going beyond the layer height limit", to generate the printing path more efficiently.

[0088] Specifically, the system will not strictly follow the traditional layer-by-layer printing method, but will directly generate the printing path of the entire microblock (i.e., prism). These paths will take into account the three-dimensional size (length, width, height) of the microblock, the scaling ratio, and the position in the overall structure of the Rubik's Cube. Due to the particularity of the Rubik's Cube, the system can pre-store a series of basic path templates for prismatic microblocks, which cover prisms of different sizes and directions.

[0089] After identifying and determining the specific parameters of each microblock, the system will adjust the basic path template according to these parameters and generate the corresponding printing path. These paths will allow the print head to move freely in three-dimensional space and directly print out the entire prismatic microblock without stacking it layer by layer. In this way, the system can "jump over" the layer height limit in traditional printing and achieve more efficient and precise printing.

[0090] First of all, in view of the high-resolution characteristics of the Rubik's Cube micro-blocks, the system sets a reasonable maximum layer height limit to ensure that the print head does not exceed the physical limitations of the printer during rapid movement and precise positioning, while avoiding any possible path interference and ensuring the continuity and accuracy of printing.

[0091] As the printing process progresses, the system generates precise printing paths for the micro-blocks on each horizontal plane of the Rubik's Cube one by one. After each horizontal plane is completed, the system immediately starts the gap analysis and filling procedure. Using algorithms, the system accurately identifies the remaining space and selects the most suitable color material to fill these gaps according to the preset filling rate and filling pattern (such as grid, honeycomb, etc., selected according to the complexity of the Rubik's Cube design and material requirements). This process not only optimizes the efficiency of material use, but also enhances the overall structural strength of the Rubik's Cube and ensures the close connection between each micro-block.

[0092] After filling all the gaps, the system conducts a deep analysis of the microblock path code on the current horizontal plane to verify whether it is qualified as the reference surface for the next level of printing. For the Rubik's Cube, due to the special structure of the Rubik's Cube - each face is composed of multiple prismatic microblocks of the same color, and these faces are independent of each other in the vertical direction, so the system can relatively easily determine whether the current horizontal plane is flat, continuous, and meets the model design requirements.

[0093] Once it is confirmed that the current horizontal plane can be used as a reference plane, the system will seamlessly transition to the path planning and generation of the next horizontal plane, and continue to process the path generation of the micro-blocks of the horizontal reference plane one by one in a preset order (such as white surface first, then yellow, blue, etc.). In this process, if a horizontal plane cannot be directly used as a reference plane due to the particularity of the micro-block layout, the system will start the spatial deconstruction and reconstruction mechanism to ensure the integrity and stability of the top surface by adding support structures or adjusting the micro-block layout. The system automatically adds the starting code and the related code of the paint flushing operation, and also generates the detailed code of the gap between the single blocks of the Rubik's Cube according to the specific design.

[0094] After generating the path code, the system will also optimize the code. For the Rubik's Cube model, the system will calculate the machine motion path and detect whether the printing rules interfere. If there is interference, it will be regenerated and inserted into the original position. Finally, the entire code will be repeatedly checked to generate the necessary relevant code.

[0095] Step S105: Print execution steps

[0096] At this point, the complete printing path code has been generated and 3D printing can be performed. The generated G code is input into the 3D printer's lower computer program to print out a Rubik's Cube model with different color faces and details.

[0097] The technical solution in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application has at least the following technical effects or advantages: through the setting of micro-block units, it is easy to get started in the combination modeling stage, and the active generation of path codes realizes the overall printing of a single block, and also avoids the problems of incomplete color blocks and structural deformation caused by the use of partitioned printing in pursuit of speed by the path algorithm; and by crossing the layer height limit during printing, the switching between layers is reduced, thereby improving the printing speed and quality.

[0098] The working principle is as follows: by presetting micro-block units, in the combined modeling step, the part blocks are constructed in the first scene and assembled in the second scene; the model is optimized and a printing path is generated for the optimized model in micro-block units, and the printing path is tested, and finally a printing path that meets the requirements is output to the printing device.

[0099] The above description is only a preferred specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can make equivalent replacements or changes according to the technical scheme and inventive concept of the present invention within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design, characterized in that: The steps include: S101: presetting the type of micro-block unit and the resolution of the micro-block unit used when establishing the model; S102: Combined modeling, synchronously performing micro-block matching to generate a model composed of micro-block units; the combined modeling includes a part block creation scene and an assembly scene, the parts created in the part block creation scene are assembled in the assembly scene, and color information is set for the part blocks and the assembly in the two scenes; S103: Optimizing the model by performing de-duplication processing, smoothing processing, and equalization processing on the model; S104: spatially deconstructing the optimized model, and generating a printing path according to the distribution and order of the micro-block units; S105: Detect the printing path, if the printing rule interferes with the printer movement, perform secondary optimization of the printing path, and then execute the printing job; if there is no impact, transmit the generated printing path to the 3D printer, and execute the printing job; The step of generating the printing path of step S104 includes firstly generating the path code of the entire microblock beyond the layer height limit, specifically taking the bottom surface of the model as the horizontal reference plane, analyzing the types and colors of all the microblocks on the horizontal reference plane, arranging and positioning all the microblocks, generating the paths of microblocks of different colors according to the order of the color extrusion amount, and verifying the printing path; The verification of the printing path includes: after the path of a single horizontal reference plane is generated, verifying whether the current reference plane can form a continuous, flat horizontal reference plane that meets the model design requirements, if so, generating the path of the next horizontal plane; if not, starting the space deconstruction and reconstruction, and ensuring that the top surface is filled by adding necessary support structures or adjusting the micro-block layout.

2. The active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the part block creation scenario, matching analysis is performed according to the micro-block units preset in step S101, and corresponding micro-block information is recorded.

3. The active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deduplication process in step S103 checks the model structure of the model matching, calculates whether there is an interference match, which refers to the repeated appearance of multiple micro-block units in the same model position, resulting in micro-block overlap and obstruction, and removes the micro-block units that cause conflicts.

4. The active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design according to claim 1, characterized in that: The smoothing process in step S103 is achieved by analyzing all matched micro-blocks, scanning the formed outer surface, and calculating the average position of each vertex moved to its neighboring vertices.

5. The active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design according to claim 1, characterized in that: The averaging process in step S103 includes size scaling, centering and density averaging.

6. The active color 3D printing method based on micro-block design according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection printing path in step S105 is performed by calculating the printer movement path, using spatial geometry and collision detection principles to detect whether each end of the path interferes with the printer components and the printed material. If interference occurs, the relevant layers of interference are regenerated and inserted into the original position.

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