Design assistance apparatus and method, computer readable storage medium, and program product thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a design assistance device, a design assistance method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product, which can output design data capable of manufacturing a designed three-dimensional shaped object by a manufacturing device for manufacturing the three-dimensional shaped object. A design assistance device assists the creation of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. The design assistance device includes: an input unit that receives shape data of a shaped object and device information relating to a manufacturing device; a calculation unit that specifies, from among the shape data, a first region in which the shaped object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device on the basis of the device information, and creates design data in which the shape pattern of the first region is corrected; a storage unit that stores a correction pattern that can be manufactured; and an output unit that outputs the design data corrected by the calculation unit. The calculation unit creates design data by changing the shape pattern of the first region to a correction pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design assistance device, a design assistance method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] A manufacturing process that enables small-volume and high-variety production has been developed based on the preferences of customers (users). For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-083981 discloses the following system as an intuitive customization system: a server, a display device, and an interface unit are connected to a factory or workshop for manufacturing products (such as shoes) via the Internet so that products with designs that meet customer preferences can be produced and purchased. In addition, in the case of small-volume and high-variety production, it is not suitable to use mold manufacturing, and it is preferred to use a manufacturing device that manufactures three-dimensional objects such as a three-dimensional printer. Summary of the invention

[0003] However, in the manufacturing device for manufacturing three-dimensional objects, there are shapes that cannot be manufactured by the above-mentioned molding method, and even if the shape data of the product (three-dimensional object) designed according to the user's preference is directly input into the manufacturing device, there is a concern that the manufacturing may be defective. In addition, in order to manufacture using the manufacturing device, the designed shape data needs to be modified in advance by a designer who is familiar with the molding method to correct it into the design data, which is complicated.

[0004] The present disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a design assistance device, a design assistance method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product, which can output design data of a three-dimensional object that can be manufactured by a manufacturing device for manufacturing the three-dimensional object.

[0005] A design assistance device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a design assistance device that assists in the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The design assistance device includes: an input unit that receives shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device; a calculation unit that determines, based on the device information, a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device, and produces design data that corrects the shape pattern of the first area; a storage unit that stores a corrected pattern that can be manufactured; and an output unit that outputs the design data corrected by the calculation unit. The calculation unit changes the shape pattern of the first area into a corrected pattern to produce the design data.

[0006] A design assistance method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a design assistance method for assisting the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The design assistance method includes: a step of receiving shape data of a shape and device information related to the manufacturing device; a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the shape cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device based on the device information; a step of changing the shape data of the determined first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and producing design data; and a step of outputting the corrected design data.

[0007] A computer program product according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a computer program product executed by a computing unit of a design assisting device that assists in the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The computer program product includes: a step of receiving shape data of a shaped object and device information related to the manufacturing device at an input unit; a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the shaped object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device based on the device information; a step of changing the shape data of the determined first area to a correction pattern that can be manufactured and stored in a storage unit and producing design data; and a step of outputting the corrected design data from an output unit.

[0008] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the design support device according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the design support device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a shape that cannot be manufactured by a certain forming method.

[0012] Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 (c) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a shape that cannot be manufactured using another forming method.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a flowchart for explaining the processing in the design support device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing in the design support device according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a correction pattern.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing in the design support device according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing in the design support device of the modification example.

[0018] Fig.10 (a) and Fig.10 (b) is a schematic diagram for explaining another method for determining a shape that cannot be manufactured. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the implementation methods of the design assistance device and the design assistance method will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same symbols are marked on the same structures. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated. In addition, in the following description, an example of assisting the design of footwear as one of the accessories worn by the user in the design assistance device and the design assistance method is described, but the object to be designed is not limited to footwear, as long as it is a three-dimensional object that can be manufactured by a manufacturing device, for example, it can also be applied to assisting the design of clothing, gloves, helmets, sports equipment, etc.

[0020] (Implementation Method 1)

[0021] [Structure of design support device]

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the design support device 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a design support device 1 according to an embodiment. For example, in a store such as a shoe store, an event venue, etc., custom-made shoes that fit the shape of an individual's foot are sometimes produced. In this case, the shoes are designed to fit the user's preferences, and a manufacturing device 2 that manufactures three-dimensional objects such as a three-dimensional printer is used to produce and provide the shoes. Figure 1 The design support device 1 shown receives device information 100 including information such as the shaping method of the manufacturing device 2 and shape data 200 of the footwear, and outputs design data that can be used to make the footwear by the manufacturing device 2 to the manufacturing device 2. Here, the shape data 200 is, for example, computer-aided design (CAD) data such as line data or mesh data. The design data can be any data that can be input to the manufacturing device 2, such as stereolithography (STL) data that can be processed by the manufacturing device 2.

[0023] The design support device 1 is described on the premise that the shape data 200 of the footwear of the design that meets the user's preference is designed by another design device, and the shape data 200 is received from the design device. However, a design program may be executed in the design support device 1, and the shape data 200 of the footwear of the design that meets the user's preference may be designed in the design support device 1. In addition, the design support device 1 may not receive the device information 100 including the information such as the forming method of the manufacturing device 2, but may read the information such as the forming method of the manufacturing device 2 from the storage space (storage) by inputting the product name or product number of the manufacturing device 2, thereby receiving the device information 100.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the design support device 1 includes a processor 11 , a memory 12 , a storage space 13 , an interface 14 , a media reader 15 , and a communication interface 16 . These components are connected via a processor bus 17 .

[0025] The processor 11 is an example of a "computing unit". The processor 11 is a computer that reads out a program (computer program product, such as an operating system (OS) 130, a determination program 131, and a correction program 132) stored in a storage space 13, and expands the read program to the memory 12 for execution. The processor 11 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a multi-processing unit (MPU). In addition, the processor 11 may also include a processing circuit (Processing Circuitry).

[0026] The memory 12 includes a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM), or a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or a flash memory.

[0027] The storage space 13 includes, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In addition to storing programs such as the OS 130, the determination program 131, and the correction program 132, the storage space 13 also stores data such as a manufacturing evaluation database 133 and a correction pattern database 134.

[0028] The determination program 131 is a program for determining an area that cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 in the shape data 200 of the footwear. In addition, in the present disclosure, the area that cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 also includes an area with a manufacturing difficulty of a predetermined level or more. The correction program 132 is a program for changing the area that cannot be manufactured determined by the determination program 131 into a correction pattern that can be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2, and creating design data. Footwear is an example of a "shaped object" in the claims.

[0029] The interface 14 is an example of an “input unit” or an “output unit”. The interface 14 is configured to receive input to the design support apparatus 1 from a keyboard, a mouse, a touch device, etc. as an “input unit” and output corrected design data to a display, etc. as an “output unit”.

[0030] The media reader 15 receives a computer readable storage medium such as a removable disk 18 and acquires a computer program product or data stored in the removable disk 18. The computer readable storage medium such as the removable disk 18 may store computer program products such as the determination program 131 and the correction program 132.

[0031] The communication interface 16 is an example of an "input unit" or an "output unit". The communication interface 16 transmits and receives data with other devices by performing wired communication or wireless communication. For example, the communication interface 16 receives input of shape data 200 from other design devices as an "input unit" and outputs design data to the manufacturing device 2 as an "output unit". In addition, the determination program 131 and the correction program 132 can be downloaded to the storage space 13 using the communication interface 16.

[0032] In the design support device 1 described below, the determination program 131 and the correction program 132 are executed to create design data that can be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 based on the shape data 200. However, the design support device 1 may read the shape data 200 stored in the removable disk 18 using the media reading device 15.

[0033] [Manufacturing conditions of manufacturing equipment]

[0034] Next, the manufacturing conditions of the manufacturing device 2 are described. The manufacturing device 2 is a device for manufacturing three-dimensional objects, such as a three-dimensional printer, a numerically controlled (NC) machine tool, a machining center, etc. Since the shaping methods of these devices are different, the manufacturing conditions such as shapes that are easy to manufacture and shapes that cannot be manufactured according to the shaping methods are different. Specifically, the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured are described in detail according to each shaping method. In addition, in the present disclosure, the so-called "shape that cannot be manufactured" not only includes shapes that the manufacturing device 2 cannot manufacture itself due to the constraints of the shaping method, but also widely includes shapes that can be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 but the function will be reduced, shapes that can be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 but require additional operations and the manufacturing cost will increase, and other shapes that cannot provide products to users.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram used to explain an example of a shape that cannot be produced using a certain forming method. Figure 3 In the example shown, a shape that cannot be manufactured by a manufacturing device 2 of a hot melt lamination method (Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method) is described. The manufacturing device 2 of the FDM method is a method of melting acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin or polylactic acid (PLA) resin at a high temperature and outputting them from a nozzle while overlapping, thereby forming a three-dimensional object. Therefore, Figure 3 If the shape is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, as in the shape 250 of (a), the manufacturing apparatus 2 of the FDM method can manufacture the shape 250 by stacking the resin 250a in the stacking direction.

[0036] However, if Figure 3 If the shape 251 is inclined at 0 degrees relative to the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, as in the shape 251 of (b), the FDM manufacturing device 2 cannot manufacture the portion 251b extending to the right in the figure even if the resin 251a is stacked in the stacking direction. Figure 3 If the shape is inclined by -30 degrees relative to the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, as in the shape 252 of (c), the manufacturing device 2 of the FDM method cannot manufacture the inclined shape portion 252b even if the resin 252a is stacked in the stacking direction. In order to manufacture the inclined shape portion 252b, it is necessary to separately prepare a supporting member 252c on which the resin 252a is stacked in the stacking direction.

[0037] then, Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 (c) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a shape that cannot be manufactured by another forming method. Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 In the example shown in (c), a shape that cannot be manufactured by a manufacturing device 2 using a light shaping method (particularly a digital light processing (DLP) method) is described. The manufacturing device 2 using the DLP method is a method of forming a three-dimensional object by irradiating a liquid resin with ultraviolet light (UV) to solidify it. In the manufacturing device 2 using the DLP method, except Figure 3 It is not possible to produce shapes other than those described in Figure 4 The hollow structured object 253 shown in (a).

[0038] Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus 2 of the DLP method, a portion 254a is generated when the platform 260 forming the object 254 is pulled up from the liquid resin, and thus it is impossible to manufacture the object 254. Figure 4 In the manufacturing apparatus 2 of the DLP method, when manufacturing the product 254 of (b), the product 254 of the DLP method has a thin and long wall. Figure 4 When a structure 255 such as (c) is produced, it is necessary to set a plurality of support members 220 in the blank part of the grid structure. The manufacturing device 2 of the DLP method can manufacture the structure 255 itself, but if the proportion of the support members 220 increases, useless materials are required, and the support members 220 are set inside the structure, and there is a concern that the function of the structure will be damaged if they cannot be removed. For example, if the support members 220 cannot be removed, the weight of the manufactured structure 255 is heavier than the weight at the time of design, and the functionality of the structure 255 may be adversely affected by the support members 220 that cannot be removed. Therefore, in the case where there are support members 220 that cannot be removed, if the functionality of the structure 255 is reduced by a specified proportion (for example, 10%) due to the support members 220 that cannot be removed, it is regarded as a shape that cannot be manufactured. In addition, even if the support members 220 are removed from the structure, the operation of removing the support members 220 is required during manufacturing. For example, if the ratio of the support member 220 removed after manufacturing the object 255 exceeds a predetermined value (e.g., 30%), the shape is considered to be unmanufacturable. The predetermined ratio or predetermined value is a criterion for determining that the object 255 requiring the support member 220 cannot be manufactured.

[0039] In this way, the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured are predetermined based on the forming method of the manufacturing device 2, and the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured is stored in the manufacturing evaluation database 133 for each forming method of the manufacturing device 2. When the design support device 1 receives the device information 100 including the information of the forming method of the manufacturing device 2, the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured corresponding to the received forming method of the manufacturing device 2 is read from the manufacturing evaluation database 133. In addition, when there is no manufacturing evaluation database 133 and the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured corresponding to the forming method of the manufacturing device 2 is not stored in the manufacturing evaluation database 133, the design support device 1 may receive the device information 100 including the information of the forming method of the manufacturing device 2 and the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured.

[0040] Information on manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured is provided in Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 The shape that cannot be manufactured described in (c) is stored in the manufacturing evaluation database 133 as three-dimensional image information in the form of a shape pattern, for example. Of course, the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured is not limited to three-dimensional image information, but may also be information of a formula or a numerical value. In addition, by processing the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured as a shape pattern, as described later, the area with high similarity to the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured can be evaluated and easily determined from the shape data 200 of the footwear by the similarity of the three-dimensional image information. In this way, the manufacturing evaluation database 133 stores the shape pattern (three-dimensional image information) as the information of the manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured according to each shaping method of the manufacturing device 2, thereby determining the shape that cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 of various shaping methods. It is described that the manufacturing evaluation database 133 is stored in the storage space 13 of the design auxiliary device 1, but it can also be stored in other servers or clouds.

[0041] [Processing of design support device]

[0042] Next, a process in which the design support device 1 executes the determination program 131 and the correction program 132 to create design data that can be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2 based on the shape data 200 will be described in detail. Figure 5 This is a flowchart for explaining the processing in the design support device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing in the design support device 1 of Embodiment 1. First, the design support device 1 receives device information 100 including information on the forming method of the manufacturing device 2 (step S101). Next, the design support device 1 receives the shape data 200 of the shoe (step S102).

[0043] The design support device 1 determines the region that cannot be manufactured in the shape data 200 (step S103). Specifically, the design support device 1 reads the shape pattern that cannot be manufactured (information of manufacturing conditions) stored in the manufacturing evaluation database 133 from the device information 100 received in step S101. The design support device 1 compares the shape pattern of the shape data 200 of the footwear with the shape pattern that cannot be manufactured to evaluate the similarity. The design support device 1 can use a known algorithm for evaluating the difference or similarity of three-dimensional image information, and can further use a method using a neural network or the like as an algorithm for evaluating the similarity with the shape pattern.

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, the design assisting device 1 determines the region 201 (first region) that cannot be manufactured in the shape data 200 of the footwear by executing the determination program 131. The region 201 that cannot be manufactured will change according to the manufacturing parameters of the footwear manufactured by the manufacturing device 2. For example, if the direction of manufacturing the footwear is considered as a manufacturing parameter, the region 201 that cannot be manufactured will change according to whether it is manufactured from the toe side or from the heel side. Therefore, the design assisting device 1 determines whether there is a changed manufacturing parameter (shaping direction) (step S104). In the case of manufacturing the footwear, the design assisting device 1 determines the region 201 that cannot be manufactured by manufacturing from the toe side, and then, the design assisting device 1 determines the region 201 that cannot be manufactured again by manufacturing from the heel side. That is, in the case of a changed manufacturing parameter (shaping direction) ("YES" in step S104), the design assisting device 1 returns the processing to step S103 and determines the region 201 that cannot be manufactured again.

[0045] On the other hand, if there is no manufacturing parameter (shaping direction) to be changed ("NO" in step S104), the design support device 1 sets the manufacturing parameter that minimizes the region 201 that cannot be manufactured (step S105). In the case of manufacturing footwear, the size of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured determined by manufacturing from the toe side is compared with the size of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured determined by manufacturing from the heel side, and the manufacturing parameter that reduces the region 201 that cannot be manufactured is set as the manufacturing parameter of the manufacturing device 2. The design support device 1 adds the information of the set manufacturing parameter to the design data and outputs it to the manufacturing device 2.

[0046] In addition, in a symmetrical object, even if the direction of formation is changed, the same shape of the object is manufactured, so it is determined that the manufacturing parameter has not been changed in step S104. In addition, even if the direction of formation is fixed due to other constraints, it is determined that the manufacturing parameter has not been changed in step S104. Furthermore, the direction of formation is described as an example of a manufacturing parameter, but the manufacturing time, material, etc. can also be set as a manufacturing parameter.

[0047] When the object is a shoe, the material used is preferably a resin material or a rubber material to have corresponding softness, extensibility, durability, elasticity, etc. More specifically, when the shoe is made of resin, for example, polyolefin resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPA), TPAE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPEE) can be used as the material. In particular, in the manufacturing device 2 of the FDM method, thermoplastic resins can be used, and the manufacturing device 2 of the DLP method can use thermosetting resins.

[0048] Next, the design support device 1 changes the determined area 201 that cannot be manufactured into a correction pattern that can be manufactured (step S106). The correction pattern that can be manufactured is stored in the correction pattern database 134 of the storage space 13. The correction pattern database 134 stores a plurality of correction patterns of different types according to each forming method of the manufacturing device 2. The correction patterns of different types differ in at least one of the thickness, angle, distance between the lines, and color of the lines constituting the pattern. Specifically, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the correction pattern. Figure 7 As shown, the correction pattern database 134 stores a plurality of correction patterns with different thicknesses W of the lines constituting the pattern, distances L between two lines, and angles A between two lines. It is described that the correction pattern database 134 is stored in the storage space 13 of the design support device 1, but it may also be stored in another server or cloud. Furthermore, the correction pattern database 134 may store correction patterns including various information such as materials or colors in addition to line information, including correction patterns that can be manufactured by stacking a plurality of materials, correction patterns that configure different materials and different colors for each area, and the like.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the design assisting device 1 reads a plurality of correction patterns 210, 211, and 212 that conform to the forming method of the manufacturing device 2 from the correction pattern database 134. The design assisting device 1 changes the shape pattern of the determined non-manufacturable region 201 to any one of the plurality of correction patterns 210, 211, and 212 by executing the correction program 132. Specifically, the design assisting device 1 selects a correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the determined non-manufacturable region 201 from the plurality of correction patterns 210, 211, and 212, and changes the shape pattern of the non-manufacturable region 201 to the selected correction pattern. In addition, the design assisting device 1 compares the shape pattern of the non-manufacturable region 201 with the plurality of correction patterns to evaluate the similarity. The design assisting device 1 may use a known algorithm for evaluating the difference or similarity of three-dimensional image information, and may further use a method using a neural network or the like as an algorithm for evaluating the similarity with a shape pattern.

[0050] The design assisting device 1 changes the shape pattern of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured in the shape data 200 of the footwear to a correction pattern, and once the corrected shape data 200 is manufactured, the design data 300 is manufactured. The design assisting device 1 outputs the manufactured design data 300 to the manufacturing device 2 (step S107). In addition, it is described that the design assisting device 1 manufactures the design data 300 once the corrected shape data 200 is manufactured, but the design data 300 may be manufactured directly based on the shape data 200 and the correction pattern without manufacturing the corrected shape data 200.

[0051] In this way, the design support device 1 determines the region 201 that cannot be manufactured using the forming method of the manufacturing device 2 from the shape data 200, and changes the shape pattern of the determined region 201 that cannot be manufactured into a corrected pattern that can be manufactured to create design data. Therefore, the design support device 1 can automatically create design data that can manufacture the designed three-dimensional object without modifying the shape data based on the designer.

[0052] (Implementation Method 2)

[0053] In the above embodiment, the design support device 1 selects and changes the correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the determined non-manufacturable region 201. However, the method of selecting the correction pattern to be changed is not limited to this. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing in the design support device 1 of Embodiment 2. The configuration of the design support device 1 of Embodiment 2 is the same as that of the design support device 1 of Embodiment 1, and the detailed description will not be repeated.

[0054] When the non-manufacturable region is determined in the shape data 200 according to the forming method of the manufacturing device 2, the design support device 1 sets a manufacturable region 202 (second region) around the non-manufacturable region 201. The manufacturable region 202 is a region of a predetermined range adjacent to the non-manufacturable region 201. As the predetermined range, for example, a range of several centimeters or a unit of a repeated pattern of a pattern is set in advance.

[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, the design support device 1 determines the region 201 that cannot be manufactured, and sets the region 202 that can be manufactured around the region 201 that cannot be manufactured. The design support device 1 reads the correction pattern 202a that has the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the set region 202 that can be manufactured from the correction pattern database 134, and uses the read correction pattern 202a to change the shape pattern of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured. By using the correction pattern 202a that has the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the region 202 that can be manufactured for the region 201 that cannot be manufactured, the continuity of the shape of the region 202 that can be manufactured and the correction pattern 202a becomes higher, and a design without a sense of incongruity can be formed.

[0056] Furthermore, the design support device 1 may also change the area near the boundary between the non-manufacturable area 201 and the manufacturable area 202 to the correction pattern 202a having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the manufacturable area 202, and change other areas by the correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the non-manufacturable area 201. In this way, the correction pattern is changed step by step from the manufacturable area 202 toward the non-manufacturable area 201, thereby forming a design with less sense of incongruity.

[0057] (Variation Example)

[0058] Another method of selecting the modified correction pattern will be described. Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing in the design support device 1 of the modification. The configuration of the design support device 1 of the modification is the same as that of the design support device 1 of the first embodiment, and the detailed description will not be repeated.

[0059] like Fig. 9As shown, the design assisting device 1 determines the region 201 that cannot be manufactured, and sets the region 202 that can be manufactured around the region 201 that cannot be manufactured. Next, the design assisting device 1 selects the shape pattern that has the highest similarity with the shape pattern of the region 202 that can be manufactured set from the region that can be manufactured in the shape data 200, and sets the selected region as the similar region 203 (third region). The design assisting device 1 reads the correction pattern 203b that has the highest similarity with the region 203a corresponding to the size of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured from the correction pattern database 134 among the shape patterns of the similar region 203, and changes the shape pattern of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured using the read correction pattern 203b. Another similar region 203 that has the highest similarity with the shape pattern of the region 202 that can be manufactured is set, and the correction pattern 203b is selected based on the portion of the region 203a corresponding to the size of the region 201 that cannot be manufactured, so that a design with less sense of incongruity can be formed.

[0060] (Other Modifications)

[0061] In the above embodiment, the design support device 1 compares the shape pattern of the shoe shape data 200 with the shape pattern that cannot be manufactured and evaluates the similarity to determine the non-manufacturable region 201. However, the method of determining the non-manufacturable region is not limited to this. Fig.10 (a) and Fig.10 (b) is a schematic diagram for explaining another method for specifying a shape that cannot be manufactured. The structure of the design support device 1 of the modification example is the same as that of the design support device 1 of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0062] Fig.10 (a) is mesh data of a structure 256 having a three-dimensional lattice structure formed on a platform 260. In addition, the downward direction in the figure is the forming direction of the structure 256. In the structure 256, there is a portion where the lattice structure is discontinuous, and the portion is an area 201 that cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device 2. In the case of using the mesh data to determine the area 201 that cannot be manufactured, the design support device 1 compares the shape pattern obtained from the mesh data with the shape pattern that cannot be manufactured stored in the manufacturing evaluation database 133 and evaluates the similarity to determine the area 201 that cannot be manufactured.

[0063] exist Fig.10In (b), the mesh data is converted into data represented by a network structure of edges 256a and vertices 256b. The design support device 1 can find the discontinuous part of the grid structure and determine the region 201 that cannot be manufactured based on the presence or absence of an edge 256a connecting two vertices 256b in the network structure data. In this way, the design support device 1 uses the network structure data, and the amount of data to be processed is reduced compared to using the mesh data, and the burden of the calculation processing for determining the region 201 that cannot be manufactured can be reduced.

[0064] [form]

[0065] (1) The design support device of the present disclosure is a design support device for supporting the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, and includes:

[0066] An input unit for receiving shape data of a formed object and device information related to a manufacturing device;

[0067] A calculation unit that determines, based on the device information, a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device, and creates design data that corrects the shape pattern of the first area;

[0068] a storage unit storing a correction pattern that can be manufactured; and

[0069] The output unit outputs the design data corrected by the calculation unit.

[0070] The calculation part is

[0071] The shape pattern of the first area is changed to a correction pattern to create design data.

[0072] Thus, the design support device can automatically create design data capable of manufacturing the designed three-dimensional object without modifying the shape data by the designer.

[0073] (2) The design support device according to (1), wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of correction patterns of different types,

[0074] The calculation unit changes the correction pattern to the correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the first region among the plurality of correction patterns stored in the storage unit.

[0075] Thus, the design support device can automatically create design data for manufacturing a three-dimensional object without impairing the designability based on the designer's shape data.

[0076] (3) The design support device according to (2), wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of correction patterns that differ in at least one of thickness, angle, distance between lines, and color of lines constituting the pattern.

[0077] Thus, the design support device can prepare a plurality of correction patterns that differ in at least one of thickness, angle, distance between lines, and color of lines constituting the pattern.

[0078] (4) A design assistance device according to (2) or (3), wherein the operation unit sets a second area capable of manufacturing around the first area, reads a correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the second area from the storage unit, and uses the read correction pattern to change the shape pattern of the first area.

[0079] Thus, the design support device can automatically create design data capable of manufacturing a three-dimensional object without damaging the designability of the second area set around the first area.

[0080] (5) A design assistance device according to (4), wherein the operation unit sets a third area having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the second area from the shape data, reads a correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the third area from the storage unit, and uses the read correction pattern to change the shape pattern of the first area.

[0081] Thus, the design support device can automatically create design data for manufacturing a three-dimensional object without further compromising the designability of the second region.

[0082] (6) The design support device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the design data includes manufacturing parameters for manufacturing the object by the manufacturing device,

[0083] The calculation unit changes the manufacturing parameters to determine the first region, and sets the manufacturing parameters that minimize the region.

[0084] Thus, the design assisting device can reduce the area to be corrected using the correction pattern.

[0085] (7) The design support device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the device information includes at least information on a formation method of a manufacturing device and information on manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured by the formation method.

[0086] Thus, the design support device can automatically create design data for manufacturing a three-dimensional object without storing information on the forming method of the manufacturing device and information on manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured by the forming method.

[0087] (8) The design support device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the storage unit stores information on manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured for each forming method of the manufacturing device,

[0088] The device information received from the input unit includes at least information on the manufacturing method of the device.

[0089] The calculation unit reads out information on manufacturing conditions from the storage unit based on the device information.

[0090] Thus, the design support device can read the information on the manufacturing conditions from the storage unit according to the manufacturing method of the manufacturing device.

[0091] (9) The design support device according to (7) or (8), wherein the information on the manufacturing conditions includes a reference for determining that the object requiring the support member cannot be manufactured.

[0092] Thus, the design support device can automatically create design data corrected using the correction pattern even for a shape that requires a support member.

[0093] (10) The design support device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the object is an accessory to be worn by a user.

[0094] Thus, the design support device can automatically generate design data capable of manufacturing the designed three-dimensional object for the accessory to be worn by the user.

[0095] (11) The design support method disclosed herein is a design support method for supporting the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, and includes:

[0096] The step of receiving shape data of a formed object and device information related to a manufacturing device;

[0097] Based on the device information, a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device;

[0098] The step of changing the determined shape data of the first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and creating design data; and

[0099] Steps for outputting the corrected design data.

[0100] Thus, the design support method can automatically generate design data that can manufacture the designed three-dimensional object without modifying the shape data based on the designer.

[0101] (12) The computer-readable storage medium of the present disclosure is a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program product, wherein the computer program product is executed by a computing unit of a design assisting device for assisting in the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein:

[0102] The computer program product includes:

[0103] The step of receiving shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device at the input unit;

[0104] Based on the device information, a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device;

[0105] The step of changing the shape data of the determined first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and stored in the storage unit to create design data; and

[0106] A step of outputting the corrected design data from the output unit.

[0107] (13) The computer program product of the present disclosure is a computer program product executed by a computing unit of a design support device that supports the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

[0108] The computer program product includes:

[0109] The step of receiving shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device at the input unit;

[0110] Based on the device information, a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device;

[0111] The step of changing the shape data of the determined first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and stored in the storage unit to create design data; and

[0112] A step of outputting the corrected design data from the output unit.

[0113] Thus, the computer program product can automatically generate design data for manufacturing the designed three-dimensional object without modifying the shape data by the designer.

[0114] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A design assisting device for assisting the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the design assisting device comprising: An input unit for receiving shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device; a calculation unit that identifies, based on the device information, a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device, and creates the design data in which the shape pattern of the first area is corrected; a storage unit storing a correction pattern that can be manufactured; as well as an output unit that outputs the design data corrected by the calculation unit, The computing unit is The design data is created by changing the shape pattern of the first region to the correction pattern.

2. The design assistance device according to claim 1, wherein: The storage unit stores a plurality of correction patterns of different types. The calculation unit changes the correction pattern to the correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the first area among the plurality of correction patterns stored in the storage unit.

3. The design assistance device according to claim 2, wherein: The storage unit stores a plurality of correction patterns that are different in at least one of thickness, angle, distance between lines, and color of lines constituting the patterns.

4. The design assistance device according to claim 2, wherein: The calculation unit sets a second region where manufacturing can be performed around the first region, reads the correction pattern having the highest similarity to the shape pattern of the second region from the storage unit, and changes the shape pattern of the first region using the read correction pattern.

5. The design assistance device according to claim 4, wherein: The calculation unit sets a third area having the highest shape pattern similarity to the second area from the shape data, reads the correction pattern having the highest shape pattern similarity to the third area from the storage unit, and changes the shape pattern of the first area using the read correction pattern.

6. The design assistance device according to claim 1, wherein: The design data includes manufacturing parameters for manufacturing the object by the manufacturing device. The calculation unit changes the manufacturing parameters to determine the first region, and sets the manufacturing parameters that minimize the region.

7. The design aid device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The device information includes at least information on a forming method of the manufacturing device and information on manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured by the forming method.

8. The design aid device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The storage unit stores information on manufacturing conditions that cannot be manufactured for each forming method of the manufacturing device. The device information received from the input unit includes at least information on the forming method of the manufacturing device. The calculation unit reads the information on the manufacturing conditions from the storage unit based on the device information.

9. The design assistance device according to claim 7, wherein: The information on the manufacturing conditions includes a criterion for determining that the object requiring provision of a supporting member cannot be manufactured.

10. The design aid device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The shape is an accessory for a user to wear.

11. A design assisting method for assisting the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the design assisting method comprising: A step of receiving shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device; Based on the device information, a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device; The step of changing the determined shape data of the first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and creating the design data; as well as The step of outputting the modified design data.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program product, the computer program product being executed by a computing unit of a design assisting device for assisting in the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program product. The computer program product comprises: A step of receiving shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device at an input unit; Based on the device information, a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device; A step of changing the determined shape data of the first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and stored in a storage unit to create the design data; as well as The step of outputting the corrected design data from an output unit.

13. A computer program product executed by a computing unit of a design support device for supporting the production of design data input to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, The computer program product comprises: A step of receiving shape data of the object and device information related to the manufacturing device at an input unit; Based on the device information, a step of determining a first area in the shape data where the object cannot be manufactured by the manufacturing device; A step of changing the determined shape data of the first area into a correction pattern that can be manufactured and stored in a storage unit to create the design data; as well as The step of outputting the corrected design data from an output unit.

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