Printing method, three-dimensional printing apparatus, electronic device, medium, product

Abstract

The application is suitable for the field of three-dimensional printing technology, and particularly relates to a printing method, a three-dimensional printing device, an electronic device, a medium and a product. The method is applied to a three-dimensional printing device, the three-dimensional printing device comprises a printing platform and a printing piece storage area, and the method comprises the following steps: sequentially executing each printing task in a printing task queue, each printing task being used for instructing printing to obtain a corresponding three-dimensional printing piece; when the ith printing task is executed, n three-dimensional printing pieces are printed on the printing platform to form the n three-dimensional printing pieces, and the n three-dimensional printing pieces are placed in the printing piece storage area after being scooped out, i and n are positive integers; determining a cleaning requirement of the printing platform according to usage state information of the printing platform; in the case that the printing platform needs to be cleaned, the printing platform is cleaned, and after the cleaning is completed, the (i+1)th printing task in the printing task queue is executed. The method can realize automatic printing and cleaning of multiple tasks, and improve the utilization rate of the device and the overall printing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, and particularly relates to a printing method, 3D printing equipment, electronic equipment, medium, and product. Background Technology

[0002] Existing 3D (Three-Dimensional) printers require manual removal, cleaning, and wiping of the model and printing platform after each print before the next print can begin.

[0003] Especially when multiple models need to be printed continuously, the above process requires repeated manual intervention. If the user cannot handle it in time, the printing progress will be interrupted, resulting in the equipment being idle for a long time and the overall printing efficiency being low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a printing method, a 3D printing device, an electronic device, a medium, and a product, which can realize multi-task automatic printing and cleaning, improving equipment utilization and overall printing efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a printing method applied to a 3D printing device, the 3D printing device including a printing platform and a printable storage area, the method comprising: The printing tasks in the printing task queue are executed sequentially, and each printing task is used to indicate the corresponding 3D printed part to be printed. When performing the i-th printing task, n three-dimensional printed parts are printed on the printing platform, and the n three-dimensional printed parts are removed and placed in the printed part storage area, where i and n are positive integers; Determine the cleaning needs of the printing platform based on its usage status information; If the print platform needs to be cleaned, clean the print platform and, after cleaning, execute the (i+1)th print job in the print job queue.

[0006] The first benefit is as follows: By setting up a print task queue and executing multiple print tasks sequentially, an automated process for continuous multi-piece printing is achieved. For each print task, after the 3D printed part is formed on the printing platform, it is automatically removed and stored in the print storage area, completely replacing the manual removal required in traditional solutions and significantly reducing human intervention. Furthermore, the system dynamically determines whether platform cleaning is needed based on the platform's usage status information, automatically performing platform cleaning when necessary. This effectively solves the problem of print failures caused by the accumulation of residue on the platform surface after multiple prints. This method allows the entire printing process to be unattended, especially during nighttime hours, enabling the equipment to operate continuously without interference, converting previously wasted idle time into effective production time, and significantly improving equipment utilization and overall printing efficiency. Simultaneously, by combining platform cleaning with the execution of the task queue, the next print task is automatically started after cleaning, forming a complete automated closed loop and achieving truly unattended continuous printing.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the usage status information of the printing platform includes the cumulative number of prints; The method also includes: When n 3D printed parts are removed and placed in the printed parts storage area, the cumulative number of prints on the printing platform is incremented and updated. Determine the cleaning needs of the printing platform based on its usage status information, including: If the cumulative number of prints reaches the preset threshold, it is determined that the print platform needs to be cleaned. If the cumulative number of prints has not reached the preset threshold, it is determined that the print platform does not need to be cleaned.

[0008] In this implementation, the usage status information of the printing platform is specified as a cumulative number of prints, and the cumulative number of prints is incremented and updated after each print job, thus achieving quantitative tracking of platform usage. When the cumulative number of prints reaches a preset threshold, platform cleaning is automatically triggered. This mechanism is simple and reliable, requiring no complex sensors or detection equipment, and effectively prevents print quality problems caused by platform residue. Users can flexibly set the threshold number based on factors such as the actual printing materials and model complexity, avoiding the time wasted on frequent cleaning while ensuring that the platform's cleanliness remains at a reliable level during long-term continuous printing, guaranteeing the stability and consistency of print quality.

[0009] In one possible implementation, when it is necessary to clean the print platform, cleaning the print platform includes: If the printing platform needs to be cleaned, print a solidified print that covers the printing platform; remove and discard the solidified print to confirm that the printing platform has been cleaned.

[0010] In this implementation, a solidified printout covering the entire printing platform is printed on the platform when cleaning is required, and then removed and discarded, achieving deep cleaning of the platform surface. This solidified printout acts like an "absorbent film," carrying away accumulated tiny resin residues, debris, and uncured resin during the forming and removal process. The cleaning effect is far superior to simple wiping or spraying. This cleaning method fully utilizes the forming capabilities of the 3D printing equipment itself, eliminating the need for additional cleaning mechanisms. It is simple in structure, low in cost, and ensures the flatness and cleanliness of the platform after cleaning, providing a reliable forming foundation for the next printing task.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: Without needing to clean the print platform, directly execute the (i+1)th print job in the print job queue.

[0012] This implementation ensures uninterrupted printing continuity by executing the next print job directly without needing to clean the print platform. This design avoids unnecessary waiting and decision-making delays, allowing the equipment to operate continuously at maximum efficiency. In batch printing scenarios, cleaning is only performed when the cumulative number of prints truly reaches a point where cleaning is necessary. This ensures platform cleanliness while minimizing non-printing time, further improving overall production efficiency.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the 3D printing device also includes a print cleaning unit, which corresponds to the print storage area. The method also includes: Determine the working mode of the 3D printing equipment. The types of working modes include scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode. If the working mode is the scraper cleaning mode, the cleaning unit performs cleaning operations on n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area. If the working mode is scraping mode, cancel the cleaning operation of n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area through the printed part cleaning unit.

[0014] This implementation utilizes two switchable operating modes: a scraping mode and a scraping-cleaning mode. This allows the same 3D printer to flexibly adapt to the needs of different application scenarios. In scraping mode, the printed part is scraped out and stored directly, suitable for mass production and unified post-processing scenarios. This significantly shortens the printing cycle per piece and improves mass production efficiency. In scraping-cleaning mode, the printed part is automatically cleaned after scraping out, suitable for scenarios requiring immediate delivery and individual processing of each printed part, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the delivered product. Users can freely choose the operating mode according to their actual production needs, significantly enhancing the equipment's applicability and avoiding efficiency losses caused by functional redundancy or inadequacy.

[0015] In one possible implementation, if the working mode is a scraper cleaning mode, the cleaning unit performs cleaning operations on n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area, including: Obtain the cumulative information of the 3D printed parts already placed in the printable parts storage area. The cumulative information includes at least one of the following: the cumulative number, cumulative volume, and cumulative weight of the 3D printed parts already placed in the printable parts storage area; wherein, the 3D printed parts already placed in the printable parts storage area include n 3D printed parts. A cleaning operation is performed on all 3D printed parts placed in the printed parts storage area when at least one of the following conditions is met: the cumulative number reaches a preset number threshold; the cumulative volume reaches a preset volume threshold; or the cumulative weight reaches a preset weight threshold. Among them, the quantity threshold and volume threshold are related to the capacity of the printed parts storage area, while the weight threshold is related to the load-bearing capacity of the printed parts storage area.

[0016] In this implementation, the cumulative number, volume, or weight of printed parts placed in the storage area is obtained in the scraper cleaning mode. When a preset threshold is reached, all printed parts are centrally cleaned, enabling flexible scheduling of cleaning operations. Users can choose an immediate cleaning mode to meet urgent delivery needs, or a batch cleaning mode for cleaning multiple printed parts simultaneously, reducing cleaning fluid consumption and equipment start-up / stop frequency, thus lowering operating costs. Trigger conditions can be set based on quantity, volume, or weight to adapt to application scenarios with different model sizes, material densities, and storage capacity limitations, making cleaning timing more precise and reasonable, balancing cleaning efficiency with resource conservation.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: Check the remaining capacity of the printout storage area; If the remaining capacity is lower than the preset capacity threshold, a prompt message will be issued, instructing the user to remove the 3D printed parts that have been placed in the print storage area.

[0018] This implementation detects the remaining capacity of the print storage area and issues a warning when the remaining capacity falls below a preset threshold, effectively preventing a series of problems caused by overfilling the storage area. Timely prompts to users to remove prints avoid model stacking and deformation, incomplete cleaning, or equipment malfunctions, ensuring the integrity of the prints and the long-term stable operation of the equipment. Warning messages can be delivered via visual, auditory, or remote push notifications, ensuring users are promptly informed of the equipment status. This achieves user-friendly and intelligent human-machine interaction, reducing production interruptions caused by negligence.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: Receives a working mode setting instruction, which includes the type of working mode; Obtain the candidate print task queue, which contains multiple print tasks; Receive the task selection instruction for the candidate print task queue, determine the print tasks to be executed from the candidate print task queue, and obtain the print task queue.

[0020] In this implementation, by receiving work mode setting instructions, obtaining a candidate print task queue, and receiving task selection instructions, users can flexibly select the print tasks to be executed according to actual needs, generating a customized print task queue. Users can pre-upload multiple candidate model files and freely select the files to be printed during printing, eliminating the need for repeated uploading or starting each file individually, making the operation convenient and efficient. This design gives users greater operational autonomy, especially suitable for scenarios requiring frequent switching of print tasks or on-demand production, further enhancing the ease of use and flexibility of the equipment.

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a 3D printing device, which includes a printing platform and a printable storage area, and further includes: The control unit is used to execute each printing task in the printing task queue in sequence, and each printing task is used to indicate the printing of the corresponding 3D printed part. The control unit is also used to print n three-dimensional printed parts on the printing platform when executing the i-th printing task, and to remove the n three-dimensional printed parts and place them in the printed part storage area, where i and n are positive integers; The control unit is also used to determine the cleaning needs of the printing platform based on the usage status information of the printing platform; The control unit is also used to clean the print platform when it is necessary, and to execute the (i+1)th print job in the print job queue after cleaning is completed.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the 3D printing device also includes a print cleaning unit, which corresponds to the print storage area. The control unit is also used to determine the working mode of the 3D printing equipment. The types of working modes include scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode. The print cleaning unit is used to perform cleaning operations on n 3D printed parts in the print storage area if the working mode is scraper cleaning mode. The control unit is also used to cancel the cleaning operation performed on the n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area by the printed part cleaning unit if the working mode is the scraper mode.

[0023] The second aspect describes a 3D printing device whose control unit can sequentially execute a queue of multiple printing tasks. During each task, the control unit controls the printing platform to form the 3D printed part and automatically removes it from the stack and places it in the storage area. The control unit also determines in real-time whether platform cleaning is needed based on its usage status and automatically performs cleaning when necessary, then automatically starts the next printing task after cleaning. Through precise scheduling of each functional unit by the control unit, the device achieves fully automated control of the entire process, from multi-task selection, automatic printing, automatic removal of parts, intelligent platform cleaning to continuous automatic printing. This significantly reduces manual intervention, enabling efficient continuous production during unattended nighttime hours, greatly improving equipment utilization and printing efficiency, and providing users with an efficient, flexible, and reliable continuous printing solution.

[0024] Thirdly, this application also provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a memory, one or more processors, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The electronic device executes the computer program to implement any of the implementations of the first aspect described above.

[0025] Fourthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any of the implementations of the first aspect described above.

[0026] Fifthly, this application also provides a computer program product that, when run on an electronic device, causes the electronic device to execute any of the implementation methods of the first aspect described above.

[0027] It is understood that the beneficial effects of the second to fifth aspects mentioned above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 3D printing device provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a printing method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the interaction unit of a 3D printing device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a 3D printing device provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0030] 3D printing equipment (i.e., 3D printer) refers to a device that uses 3D printing technology to produce real three-dimensional objects. Its principle is to use special consumables (such as photosensitive resin, glue, powder materials, etc.) to build up, bond or solidify each layer of material according to a three-dimensional model pre-designed by the computer, and finally create a complete three-dimensional entity.

[0031] With the widespread application of 3D printing technology in fields such as industrial design, medical devices, aerospace, and dental processing, users have placed higher demands on printing efficiency, automation, and continuous production capabilities.

[0032] However, current 3D printing equipment still has many shortcomings in practical use. After a 3D printer completes a print, it is necessary to manually remove the model adhering to the printing platform, clean the uncured resin remaining on the model surface, and remove any residue from the printing platform before the next print can begin. This series of post-processing operations is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also requires a high level of operator skill. Improper operation may result in damage to the printed model or scratches on the platform.

[0033] Especially when users need to print multiple model files consecutively, the above manual operations require repeated intervention. After printing each model, the user must return to the 3D printing equipment to complete a series of tasks such as scraping, cleaning, and tidying the platform before starting the next printing task. If the user is unable to handle other matters in a timely manner, the printing progress will be interrupted, and the equipment will have to wait idly for a long time, resulting in a significant waste of printable time.

[0034] It's easy to imagine that if post-printing processing could be automated, users wouldn't need to frequently interrupt their work to perform tasks like scraping or cleaning during printing, making the entire printing process smoother and more efficient. Nighttime hours, in particular, would be an ideal time for continuous model printing, as users are typically not working and don't need to operate the equipment, allowing it to run undisturbed. However, because 3D printers generally lack complete automated post-printing capabilities, users cannot initiate continuous printing tasks at night, resulting in a significant waste of idle time and hindering overall printing efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, although some types of 3D printing equipment are equipped with automatic scraping units, these devices often lack a matching cleaning unit, making it impossible to automatically clean the model. Users still need to intervene manually, and there is also a lack of an automatic cleaning mechanism for the printing platform. This results in the accumulation of residues on the platform surface after multiple prints, which in turn affects the adhesion and forming details of the subsequent model, leading to frequent printing failures and poor printing results.

[0036] Meanwhile, the operating modes of 3D printing equipment for specific scenarios are limited and cannot flexibly adapt to the needs of different application scenarios. For example, dental laboratories typically need to print a large number of models in batches and perform unified post-processing, placing greater emphasis on printing speed and continuous operation capabilities; while dental clinics require each patient model to be cleaned immediately after printing for timely delivery. 3D printing equipment generally cannot meet both of these requirements simultaneously.

[0037] In summary, in continuous multi-task printing scenarios, 3D printing equipment suffers from problems such as low automation, frequent manual intervention, ineffective utilization of unattended nighttime periods, limited operating modes, and inability to automatically clean the equipment, which severely restrict printing efficiency and equipment utilization.

[0038] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a printing method that can automatically complete the scraping, cleaning, and platform cleaning, and support multi-task continuous printing. By designing switchable working modes and an intelligent platform cleaning mechanism, manual intervention can be reduced, the idle time of the equipment can be fully utilized, and true unattended continuous printing can be achieved, thereby improving the overall printing efficiency and equipment applicability.

[0039] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a printing method applicable to 3D printing equipment, enabling fully automated multi-task continuous printing. This method sets up a printing task queue, executing multiple user-selected printing tasks sequentially. After each printing task is completed, the printed part is automatically removed and placed in the printed part storage area. Simultaneously, based on the printing platform's usage status information (such as cumulative printing count), it intelligently determines whether platform cleaning is necessary. When needed, platform cleaning is achieved by printing a solidified printed part and then removing it, effectively solving the printing failure problem caused by accumulated platform residue after multiple printings.

[0040] Furthermore, this method offers two switchable working modes: a scraping mode and a scraping cleaning mode. This allows users to choose whether to perform a cleaning operation on the printed parts according to their actual needs, flexibly adapting to different application scenarios such as mass production and ready-to-use printing. In the scraping cleaning mode, based on the number of printed parts already placed in the storage area, a cleaning operation is performed on all placed printed parts, and the remaining storage capacity is monitored in real time. If the capacity is insufficient, a prompt is issued to prevent storage overflow.

[0041] This application significantly reduces manual intervention by integrating automatic scraping, automatic cleaning, intelligent platform cleaning, and switchable working modes, making unattended nighttime hours the optimal time for continuous production. This greatly improves equipment utilization and overall printing efficiency. Furthermore, through the structural design that coordinates the print cleaning unit with the storage area, and the automated scheduling of multi-task queues by the control unit, it achieves closed-loop control of the entire process from printing, scraping, cleaning to platform cleaning, providing users with an efficient, flexible, and reliable continuous printing solution.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 3D printing device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0043] The 3D printing device 100 includes a printing platform 131, a printable storage area 151, and a control unit 110.

[0044] The control unit 110 is used to sequentially execute the following steps to complete the automatic printing process of multiple printables and to automatically clean the printing platform 131: Each printing task in the printing task queue includes multiple printing tasks, each task indicating the printing of a corresponding 3D printable. For the i-th printing task, n 3D printables are printed on the printing platform 131, and these n 3D printables are removed and placed in the printable storage area 151, where i and n are positive integers (a printing task can print at least one 3D printable simultaneously). The cleaning requirements of the printing platform 131 are determined based on its usage status information. If cleaning of the printing platform 131 is required, the printing platform 131 is cleaned; after cleaning, the (i+1)-th printing task in the printing task queue is executed. Alternatively, if cleaning of the printing platform 131 is not required, the (i+1)-th printing task in the printing task queue is executed directly.

[0045] In some embodiments, in addition to the printing platform 131, the printable storage area 151, and the control unit 110, the 3D printing device also includes an interaction unit 120, a print output unit 132, a scraper mechanism 140, and a printable cleaning unit 150.

[0046] The printing platform 131 and the printing output unit 132 can form a printing unit 130. The print cleaning unit 150 is connected to the scraper mechanism 140, and the print cleaning unit 150 corresponds to the print storage area 151.

[0047] The control unit 110 is used to control other units in the 3D printing equipment 100; therefore, the control unit 110 has communication connections with other units. During actual printing and cleaning tasks, the control unit 110 controls the corresponding units to perform the appropriate steps.

[0048] The function of each unit is as follows: Interaction unit 120: Used to receive user input operation commands and setting information, such as the user-selected print file, working mode, and frequency of cleaning the print platform. Interaction unit 120 converts the user's operation commands into control signals that can be recognized by control unit 110, and feeds back the operating status and prompts of the 3D printing device 100 to the user.

[0049] Control Unit 110: As the core control center of the 3D printing equipment 100, it is responsible for coordinating and controlling the work of all other units. Control Unit 110 receives instructions from the interaction unit 120 and executes tasks according to preset logic, including managing the printing task queue, scheduling the printing process, triggering scraping and cleaning actions, and judging and executing printing platform cleaning. Control Unit 110 is also responsible for monitoring the status of each unit and issuing prompts or pausing operation in case of abnormalities.

[0050] Printing unit 130: Composed of printing platform 131 and printing output unit 132. Printing output unit 132 outputs printing material (such as photosensitive resin) layer by layer according to preset 3D model data, based on instructions from control unit 110, to form a 3D printed part on printing platform 131. Printing platform 131 is the substrate that carries the printed part and can move to different workstations (such as printing station, scraping station, cleaning station, etc.) under the control of control unit 110.

[0051] Scraping mechanism 140: Used to remove the formed 3D printed part from the printing platform 131. Scraping mechanism 140 typically includes a scraper and its drive mechanism. Under the control of control unit 110, the scraper moves close to the surface of the printing platform 131, scraping the printed part away from the platform. The removed printed part is placed in the printed part storage area 151.

[0052] Printed Part Cleaning Unit 150: Connected to the scraper mechanism 140 and correspondingly positioned in the printed part storage area 151. The printed part cleaning unit 150 performs cleaning operations on the 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area 151, such as by soaking in cleaning fluid, spraying, or ultrasonic cleaning, to remove residual uncured resin from the surface of the printed parts. After cleaning, the 3D printed parts can be removed or stored in the printed part storage area 151.

[0053] Printed part storage area 151: Used for temporary storage of 3D printed parts after removal. This area can be a receiving box, tray, or other component with accommodating space, and has a certain storage capacity. Printed part storage area 151 corresponds to printed part cleaning unit 150, facilitating the cleaning unit's operation on the stored printed parts. Control unit 110 can monitor the remaining capacity of this area and issue a prompt through interaction unit 120 when the capacity is insufficient.

[0054] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 determines the operating mode of the 3D printing device 100, and the type of operating mode includes scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode; if the operating mode is scraping cleaning mode, the printing cleaning unit 150 performs a cleaning operation on n 3D printed parts in the printing storage area 151; if the operating mode is scraping mode, the control unit 110 cancels the cleaning operation performed by the printing cleaning unit 150 on the n 3D printed parts in the printing storage area 151.

[0055] For example, the printing process of the 3D printing device 100 automatically executing multiple printing tasks is illustrated by taking the example of a user using the 3D printing device 100 to perform continuous printing.

[0056] The user selects multiple 3D printing files, such as three different dental mold files, to be printed via the interaction unit 120 (e.g., a touchscreen). The user can also select a working mode: if "scraping and cleaning mode" is selected, the device will perform a cleaning operation after each printed part is scraped out; if "scraping mode" is selected, only scraping is performed without cleaning. The user can also set a threshold for the number of times the platform is cleaned (e.g., cleaning the platform every 5 prints) and a capacity threshold for the printed part storage area. After setting, the user clicks the "Start" button, and the interaction unit 120 sends these instructions to the control unit 110.

[0057] First, after receiving the user's selection, the control unit 110 arranges the multiple print files selected by the user in the order of selection or the default order, generating a print task queue. For example, the queue contains task A, task B, and task C.

[0058] Control unit 110 controls printing unit 130 to begin executing the first printing task. For example, printing output unit 132 forms a 3D printed part layer by layer on printing platform 131 according to the 3D model data of task A. After printing is completed, control unit 110 controls printing platform 131 to move to the position of scraper mechanism 140.

[0059] The control unit 110 activates the scraping mechanism 140, which includes a scraper, to move close to the surface of the printing platform 131 and scrape the printed part off the platform. The scraped-off printed part is placed in the printed part storage area 151. In some embodiments, scraping can also be achieved by moving only the printing platform 131. For example, the control unit 110 controls the printing platform 131 to move to the scraping mechanism 140, so that the surface of the printing platform 131 is in contact with the scraper of the scraping mechanism 140, and then continues to control the movement of the printing platform 131, causing the printed part to be forcefully detached into the printed part storage area 151.

[0060] Next, the control unit 110 determines the i-th operating mode: if the user selects "scrape-off cleaning mode", the control unit 110 will activate the print cleaning unit 150. The print cleaning unit 150 performs cleaning operations (e.g., spraying with alcohol and air drying) on ​​the n 3D printed parts in the print storage area 151 to remove any uncured resin residue on the surface. If the user selects "scrape-off mode", the cleaning step is skipped, and the process proceeds directly to the next step.

[0061] The control unit 110 determines whether the printing platform needs to be cleaned based on the usage status information of the printing platform 131 (e.g., the cumulative number of prints). Assuming that the user's preset threshold is 5 prints and the number of completed prints for the i-th task is 1, the threshold has not been reached, so it is determined that no cleaning is needed.

[0062] Once the control unit 110 confirms that all steps (printing, scraping, and possible cleaning) of the i-th task (task A) have been completed, it directly starts executing the (i+1)-th task (task B) in the print task queue and repeats the above steps.

[0063] Assuming five consecutive print jobs are completed, after the fifth job is finished, scraped, and cleaned (if applicable), the control unit 110 detects that the cumulative print count has reached a preset threshold of five. At this point, the control unit 110 initiates the print platform cleaning process: it controls the print output unit 132 to print a solidified print layer covering the entire platform (i.e., a "full-page" clean layer), and then controls the scraping mechanism 140 to remove and discard this clean layer. This process removes accumulated micro-residues and debris from the print platform 131, restoring it to cleanliness. After cleaning, the control unit 110 resets the cumulative print count to zero and continues with the (i+1)th print job.

[0064] During printing, the control unit 110 continuously monitors the remaining capacity of the printout storage area 151. For example, when the number of printouts already placed in the printout storage area 151 approaches or reaches a preset threshold, the control unit 110 issues a prompt message through the interaction unit 120 (such as displaying "Storage area is about to be full, please remove printouts in time") to remind the user to clear the printout storage area 151. If the remaining capacity is lower than a safe capacity threshold, the control unit 110 can pause the execution of the (i+1)th print job and automatically resume after the user removes the printouts.

[0065] After the control unit 110 has executed all the tasks in the print task queue in sequence, it ends the printing process and provides feedback on the task completion status to the user through the interaction unit 120.

[0066] Through the aforementioned 3D printing equipment and printing process, this application embodiment achieves fully automated control of the entire process, from multi-task selection, automatic printing, automatic scraping, automatic cleaning (optional), intelligent platform cleaning to storage area management. This effectively reduces manual intervention, improves the cleaning efficiency of the printing equipment, and enables efficient and continuous production even during unattended nighttime hours, significantly improving equipment utilization and printing efficiency.

[0067] Based on the above content and Figure 1 The 3D printing equipment shown is used to explain the printing method of this application. Please refer to... Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a printing method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application, which is applied to, for example... Figure 1The illustrated 3D printing device includes a printing platform and a printable storage area. The printing method provided in this application primarily addresses the automation problem of continuously printing multiple 3D printables. Therefore, this embodiment uses multiple printing tasks as an example for explanation. It is understood that this method is also applicable to processing a single printing task. Even without continuous printing scenarios, the core steps such as printing, scraping, and determining whether platform cleaning is needed based on usage status information remain applicable, and the logic for recording usage status information such as the cumulative number of printing operations on the printing platform remains unchanged, ensuring that the device can achieve automated post-processing and platform maintenance in any printing scenario. The method includes the following steps.

[0068] S201, execute each print task in the print task queue in sequence.

[0069] Each printing task is used to instruct the printing of a corresponding 3D printed part.

[0070] The 3D printed parts corresponding to a printing task can be any 3D model such as dental molds, industrial parts, or medical devices. Each printing task is usually associated with a corresponding 3D structural data file, such as an STL (STereoLithography) file, an OBJ (Object File Format) file, or a PLY (Polygon File Format) file. The 3D structural data file describes the geometry, dimensions, and other information of the model to be printed. Based on this file, the 3D printing equipment can control the printing output units to form the corresponding 3D printed part layer by layer.

[0071] Users can interact with 3D printing equipment in several ways to select printing jobs. One way is to operate directly through the interactive unit (such as a touchscreen) built into the 3D printing equipment. This interactive unit is a touch-sensitive / operable interface where users can browse model files in local or external storage devices, select the files to be printed, and set printing parameters. Another way is to establish a communication connection with the 3D printing equipment through an application installed on a terminal device (such as a mobile phone or computer). Users upload model data files to the application, and after the application pairs with the 3D printing equipment, it sends the model files to the device. Regardless of the method used, each model data file uploaded or imported by the user corresponds to a candidate printing job, and these candidate jobs together constitute the candidate printing job queue.

[0072] In practice, users can flexibly select one or more print jobs from the candidate print job queue before starting to print. For example, users can upload multiple model files at once, and then select the files to be printed via the interactive interface before clicking the "Start / Confirm" button. This method makes user operation more flexible, eliminating the need to repeatedly upload model files or reconfigure parameters before each print.

[0073] Optionally, the explanation will take the example of a user making selections through the device's built-in interactive unit. The 3D printing device performs the following steps to determine the print job queue: S1, Receives a working mode setting instruction, which includes the type of working mode; The 3D printing equipment first receives the working mode setting command input by the user through the interactive unit. This command is used to determine the working mode type for this printing, including scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode.

[0074] The "shovel mode" refers to placing the 3D printed part directly into the print storage area after the 3D printed part has been printed and shoveled out, without performing a cleaning operation.

[0075] The scraping and cleaning mode refers to the process of cleaning the scraped 3D printed parts after they have been printed and scraped out (such as soaking, spraying or ultrasonic cleaning) to remove any uncured resin residue on the surface, and then placing the cleaned 3D printed parts in the print storage area.

[0076] S2, obtain the candidate print task queue, which includes multiple print tasks; The device then retrieves a queue of candidate print jobs, which includes multiple candidate print jobs that the user has uploaded or imported.

[0077] S3 receives a task selection instruction for the candidate print task queue, determines the print task to be executed from the candidate print task queue, and obtains the print task queue.

[0078] Next, the device receives the task selection instruction input by the user for the candidate print task queue. For example, if the user selects three tasks, the device will determine the actual print task to be executed from the candidate print task queue according to the instruction, thereby generating the final print task queue.

[0079] The interactive unit typically displays task confirmation prompts to guide users in selecting the working mode and printing tasks. For example, the interface might display "Please select working mode: Shovel mode / Shovel cleaning mode," along with a list of candidate tasks. Each task has a checkbox next to it. After the user selects the tasks to be printed, the interface might display prompts such as "3 files selected, continuous printing of 3 files will begin," along with "Cancel" and "Start" controls for the user to confirm or modify their selection. If the user selects all candidate tasks, the print task queue will contain all candidate tasks; if the user does not select any tasks, the device might prompt the user to select at least one print task.

[0080] It should be noted that the choice of work mode and the choice of task can be coordinated.

[0081] The scraping mode is typically suitable for mass production and unified post-processing scenarios, such as dental labs that need to print a large number of dental molds and clean them centrally. The advantages of this mode are: there is no need to clean each printed part individually, which can significantly reduce the cleaning time per part, avoid frequent consumption of cleaning fluid and energy, and enable the equipment to print continuously at a faster rate, greatly improving the overall printing efficiency; at the same time, the scraped printed parts can be directly stacked and stored, which is convenient for subsequent centralized cleaning and unified post-processing, simplifying the production process.

[0082] Therefore, in this mode, users may want to print all candidate tasks at once without cleaning them one by one. The 3D printing equipment provides users with the "print all" option, which users can select according to their needs to print all tasks in the candidate printing task queue.

[0083] The scraper cleaning mode is typically suitable for scenarios requiring immediate delivery and individual processing of each printout. For example, dental clinics need to clean patient dental molds immediately after printing them for delivery. The advantages of this mode are: the printout is cleaned immediately after being scraped out, and any uncured resin residue on the surface is removed in time, eliminating the need for manual cleaning by the user, saving time and avoiding the risk of the user coming into contact with harmful resin; the cleaned printout can be used directly for subsequent processes (such as post-curing, polishing, or direct delivery) without waiting for batch processing, greatly improving the response speed of single-piece delivery; by cleaning each printout individually, it is possible to avoid multiple printouts sticking together or becoming contaminated due to uncured resin when stacked, ensuring the surface quality and integrity of each printout, which is particularly suitable for fields with high requirements for hygiene and precision, such as medical and dental clinics.

[0084] Therefore, in this mode, users may only need to print a few tasks and perform cleaning. The 3D printing equipment provides users with a "partial printing" option, allowing them to flexibly select the tasks they need to print or choose to print all of them. This design enables users to freely combine working modes and task selections according to actual production needs, further enhancing the applicability of the equipment and the user experience.

[0085] Indicatively, such as Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the interactive unit of a 3D printing device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The interactive interface 300 of the interactive unit displays a candidate printing task list 310, which shows 5 candidate tasks in list form. Each candidate task has a checkbox 301 in front of it. The user can select the candidate task to be printed by checking the checkbox 301, thereby forming a printing task queue.

[0086] In the example shown in the figure, the user has selected 3 tasks. The interactive interface 300 displays a task selection prompt message 304: "3 files have been selected. Continuous printing of the 3 files will begin." At the same time, a "Cancel" control 302 and a "Start / Confirm" control 303 are displayed for the user to confirm the current selection or make a new selection.

[0087] Through this interactive interface 300, users can intuitively and conveniently select print jobs, thereby generating the required print job queue.

[0088] In some embodiments, the interface also displays working mode selection information, allowing the user to select the type of working mode for this print job.

[0089] For example, the interactive interface is provided with an automatic printing mode option, which corresponds to the continuous automatic printing function of this application. Below it is a description of "continuous automatic execution of printing scraping process" and is configured with a switchable switch control. When the switch control is turned on, the device will execute the printing tasks in the printing task queue in sequence, automatically complete the entire process of printing, scraping, and storage, and realize unattended continuous printing.

[0090] The interactive interface also includes an automatic residue cleaning option, corresponding to the automatic cleaning function of the printing platform in this application. Below it is a description that reads "Automatic cleaning after printing is complete," and it is also equipped with a switch control. When the switch control is turned on, the device will automatically perform the cleaning operation of the printing platform based on the usage status information of the printing platform (such as the cumulative number of prints) and when preset conditions are met, to remove uncured resin and impurities remaining on the platform surface, ensuring the accuracy and stability of subsequent printing.

[0091] The user interface also includes an automatic print cleaning option, corresponding to the print cleaning function. This option has a toggle switch to control the start and stop of the cleaning component of the print cleaning unit. When this switch is on, the device operates in print cleaning mode, automatically performing a cleaning operation after the print is removed, removing any residual uncured resin from the surface before transferring it to the storage area. When this switch is off, the device operates in print cleaning mode, only removing and storing the print without performing any cleaning operations, adapting to different production scenario requirements.

[0092] The user interface also features several configurable printing parameter adjustment areas, including: (1) Print count parameter item, which corresponds to the preset threshold of the cumulative print count of the printing platform in this application. The current displayed value is 6. Users can adjust the threshold through the plus and minus controls on the left and right sides. When the cumulative print count reaches the set value, the device will trigger an automatic cleanup process. (2) Exposure time parameter (unit: s / second) is used to set the exposure and curing time of each layer of resin during the 3D printing process. For example, the current value is 1s. Users can adjust it flexibly according to the material and precision requirements of the printed parts. (3) Zero offset distance parameter (unit: mm / mm) is used to calibrate the initial position of the printing platform and ensure the accuracy of the printing reference. For example, the current displayed value is 0.0mm.

[0093] Meanwhile, the interactive interface also displays real-time status information of each functional unit of the equipment, which is used to provide feedback on the working status of modules such as the shovel unit, cleaning unit, material tank level, and alcohol storage, so that users can monitor the equipment operation in real time and troubleshoot abnormalities in a timely manner.

[0094] This interactive interface integrates functions such as working mode selection, printing parameter configuration, and status monitoring into one integrated interface. Users can complete the entire process of continuous printing on the same interface without switching between multiple pages. The operation logic is clear and intuitive. It not only adapts to the flexible switching requirements of the scraper mode and scraper cleaning mode in this application, but also provides a convenient entry point for configuring core functions such as automatic cleaning of the printing platform, which greatly improves the ease of use of the device and the user operation experience.

[0095] S202, when executing the i-th printing task, print n three-dimensional printed parts on the printing platform, and then remove the n three-dimensional printed parts and place them in the printed part storage area.

[0096] Where i and n are positive integers.

[0097] Each print job can be used to instruct the printing of at least one 3D printed part. The maximum number of 3D printed parts corresponding to a print job does not exceed a preset print quantity threshold, and the printing platform can accommodate these 3D printed parts simultaneously. Therefore, the 3D printed part corresponding to the i-th print job may be n.

[0098] For example, this embodiment uses the example of printing one 3D printed part in the i-th printing task. When the i-th printing task prints multiple 3D printed parts, the description of n 3D printed parts in the following text can still be used. Regardless of whether the application scenario involves printing a single or multiple 3D printed parts, the content of steps S201 to S204 is the same.

[0099] It's worth noting that after n 3D printed parts have been removed and placed, the device can decide whether to clean the printed parts based on subsequent needs. This decision is closely related to the selected working mode: if the user selects the removal and cleaning mode, the printed parts will be automatically cleaned after placement; if the removal mode is selected, the cleaning step is skipped. This design eliminates the need for users to manually process the models after each print, truly achieving automated integration from printing to delivery. This frees up users' hands while ensuring the cleanliness and usability of the models in immediate delivery scenarios.

[0100] Optionally, the 3D printing equipment also includes a print cleaning unit, which corresponds to the print storage area. Here, "corresponds" means that the print cleaning unit is physically and functionally associated with the print storage area.

[0101] For example, the print storage area can be a cleaning basket that can hold multiple prints, while the print cleaning unit includes a cleaning fluid tank, a spray device, an ultrasonic generator, and a drying device, all arranged around the cleaning basket. This allows the prints in the basket to be automatically soaked, sprayed, ultrasonically cleaned, and dried. This integrated design combines storage and cleaning functions in the same area, saving equipment space and avoiding the risk of contamination and time waste caused by multiple transfers of prints between different workstations, while ensuring the continuity and automation of the cleaning process.

[0102] Optionally, the operating mode of the 3D printing equipment can be determined. The types of operating modes include scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode.

[0103] If the working mode is scraping cleaning mode, the cleaning operation is performed on n 3D printed parts in the printed parts storage area through the printed parts cleaning unit; if the working mode is scraping mode, the cleaning operation on n 3D printed parts in the printed parts storage area through the printed parts cleaning unit is cancelled.

[0104] For example, the specific cleaning operation can be flexibly configured, such as: immersing the printed parts in alcohol or a special cleaning solution to dissolve uncured resin; rinsing the surface of the printed parts using a high-pressure spray head; using ultrasonic vibration to enhance the cleaning effect; and finally drying with hot air or natural air. These operations can be used in combination, and users can choose according to the printing material, model complexity, and cleanliness requirements to ensure that each printed part achieves the best cleaning effect after cleaning.

[0105] In an optional embodiment, areas for storing the scraped 3D printed parts can be set separately according to different working modes, so that the physical storage space of the two modes is compatible with the cleaning function, avoiding functional conflicts and resource waste, while improving the overall operating efficiency of the equipment and the convenience of user operation.

[0106] For example, in terms of physical structure, the printout storage area can be designed as two sub-areas: one sub-area is a standard receiving box without cleaning function, and the other sub-area is a cleaning basket with cleaning function. The two sub-areas correspond to different working modes.

[0107] In the scraper mode, the printed parts are scraped out and placed directly into the ordinary receiving box. This area has a large capacity and is easy to collect in batches. Users can take out a large number of printed parts at once for centralized post-processing, which is suitable for mass production scenarios.

[0108] In the scraper cleaning mode, the printed parts are scraped out and placed in a cleaning basket with a cleaning function. The cleaning basket works with the cleaning unit to achieve automatic cleaning. Each printed part can be cleaned during storage without manual intervention, which is suitable for ready-to-use delivery scenarios.

[0109] This partitioned design ensures that the two modes do not interfere with each other, allowing users to switch freely according to their actual needs without additional adjustments to the device layout. It also guarantees storage capacity and cleaning efficiency in different modes. Users simply select the corresponding working mode on the interface, and the device automatically guides the scraped printouts to the corresponding storage area, eliminating the need to manually change the receiving container and further simplifying the operation.

[0110] In the scraper cleaning mode, the specific execution strategy for the cleaning operation can be flexibly configured according to actual needs. For example, users can choose to perform a cleaning operation immediately after each 3D printed part is printed, i.e., the "immediate cleaning" strategy. This ensures that each printed part is cleaned immediately after storage, which is particularly suitable for scenarios requiring immediate delivery, such as dental clinics cleaning patient dental impressions immediately after printing them for patient retrieval. Alternatively, users can choose the "multiple printed parts unified cleaning" strategy, which involves accumulating a certain number of printed parts in the storage area before performing a centralized cleaning of all placed printed parts. This method reduces cleaning fluid consumption and the number of equipment start-ups and shutdowns, improving cleaning efficiency and is suitable for mass production scenarios. The triggering conditions for the cleaning operation are explained in detail below using the "multiple printed parts unified cleaning" strategy as an example.

[0111] Optionally, in the shovel cleaning mode, the cumulative information of the 3D printed parts placed in the printed parts storage area is obtained. The cumulative information includes at least one of the following: the cumulative number, cumulative volume, and cumulative weight of the 3D printed parts placed in the printed parts storage area; wherein, the 3D printed parts placed in the printed parts storage area include n 3D printed parts.

[0112] A cleaning operation is performed on all 3D printed parts placed in the printed parts storage area when at least one of the following conditions is met: the cumulative number reaches a preset quantity threshold; the cumulative volume reaches a preset volume threshold; or the cumulative weight reaches a preset weight threshold.

[0113] For example, taking the cumulative quantity as an example, if the user sets the quantity threshold to 5, then when a total of 5 3D printed parts are placed in the storage area, the device will automatically perform centralized cleaning on these 5 printed parts. The advantage of this method is that users can intuitively set the cleaning cycle according to the batch quantity of the printing task, which is suitable for scenarios where the model size is similar and the quantity is controllable, such as when a dental laboratory produces in batches according to orders, and performs centralized cleaning once after each batch is completed.

[0114] For example, taking cumulative volume as an example, if the user sets the volume threshold to 200 ml (estimated based on the volume occupied by the model), then when the total volume of the printed parts already placed in the storage area reaches 200 ml, the cleaning operation is triggered. The advantage of this method is that it can utilize storage space more accurately and avoid untimely cleaning due to large models filling up prematurely. It is suitable for scenarios with large differences in model size and high requirements for storage space utilization, such as when printing industrial parts of different sizes at the same time. Triggering by volume can ensure that the cleaning timing matches the storage capacity.

[0115] For example, taking cumulative weight as an example, if the user sets the weight threshold to 500 grams, then when the total weight of the printed parts placed in the storage area reaches 500 grams, the cleaning operation is triggered. The advantage of this method is that it can automatically adapt to the differences in material density of the model. For example, when the material density of the printed parts is high, even if the quantity is not large, it may have already reached the weight limit. Triggering by weight can prevent the storage area from being damaged due to excessive weight or affecting the cleaning effect, making it suitable for scenarios with diverse materials and sensitivity to the load-bearing capacity of the equipment.

[0116] It should be noted that the two cleaning strategies mentioned above are not mutually exclusive. Users can choose the most suitable triggering method according to their actual needs, and they can even use them in combination (e.g., triggering cleaning when either the cumulative quantity or the cumulative volume is reached). Users can freely set these based on production rhythm, energy consumption requirements, and delivery time, fully balancing efficiency and resource consumption. For example, when orders are urgent, the "clean immediately" strategy can be selected to ensure the fastest delivery; when orders are less frequent or during continuous nighttime production, the "clean multiple prints at once" strategy can be selected to reduce energy and cleaning fluid consumption and lower operating costs.

[0117] Among them, the quantity threshold and volume threshold are related to the capacity of the printed parts storage area, while the weight threshold is related to the load-bearing capacity of the printed parts storage area.

[0118] Let's take the specific parameters of the print storage area as an example. Assume that the capacity of this storage area (such as a cleaning basket) is 5 liters, meaning it can hold a maximum of 5 liters of 3D printed parts; its load-bearing capacity is 3 kilograms, meaning it can support a maximum of 3 kilograms of printed parts.

[0119] When setting trigger conditions, the quantity threshold can be set according to the average size of the printed parts. For example, if the average volume of a single printed part is about 0.2 liters, the quantity threshold can be set to 5 liters ÷ 0.2 liters = 25 pieces, that is, cleaning is triggered when a total of 25 printed parts are placed. The volume threshold can be set directly to 80% of the capacity (i.e., 4 liters) to avoid the storage area being too full and affecting the cleaning effect. The weight threshold can be set to 90% of the load-bearing capacity (i.e., 2.7 kg) to leave a safety margin for the equipment and prevent the storage area from deforming or the drive mechanism from being overloaded due to excessive weight.

[0120] The above thresholds can be expressed by the following formulas: quantity threshold ≤ capacity ÷ average volume of a single printed part, volume threshold ≤ capacity × preset ratio coefficient (e.g., 0.8), weight threshold ≤ load-bearing capacity × preset safety factor (e.g., 0.9).

[0121] Users can flexibly adjust these scaling factors and threshold values ​​in the software interface according to the average size of the actual printing task, material density, and equipment operating habits, so that the cleaning triggering time matches the physical limits of the storage area, making full use of storage space and ensuring the safe operation of the equipment.

[0122] In some embodiments, in order to prevent the printed parts storage area from being overfilled, resulting in damage to the model stacks, incomplete cleaning, or even equipment failure, this application also provides a capacity monitoring and alert mechanism.

[0123] Optionally, the remaining capacity of the print storage area can be detected; if the remaining capacity is lower than a preset capacity threshold, a prompt message can be issued to instruct the 3D prints already placed in the print storage area to be removed.

[0124] The types of prompts can be one or more of the following: visual prompts (such as interactive interface pop-ups, icon flashing, status indicator light color changes), sound prompts (such as buzzers, voice broadcasts), and remote push notifications (such as sending notifications via mobile applications).

[0125] Taking visual prompts as an example, when the remaining capacity of the storage area is detected to be lower than the preset capacity threshold (e.g., less than 10% of the space remains), a prompt box will pop up on the interactive unit, displaying "The storage area is about to be full, please remove the printout in time." At the same time, the status indicator light will change from green to red and flash, reminding the user to clear the storage area as soon as possible.

[0126] The benefits of this prompting mechanism are: it can effectively prevent the storage area from overflowing due to user forgetfulness or failure to handle it in a timely manner, prevent printed parts from being squeezed and deformed or the cleaning unit from being overloaded, ensure the long-term stable operation of the equipment and the integrity of the printed parts, and at the same time provide users with user-friendly operation guidance, reducing the risk of production interruption and equipment failure caused by negligence.

[0127] S203, determine the cleaning requirements of the printing platform based on the usage status information of the printing platform.

[0128] During the continuous printing of multiple 3D parts, tiny resin residues and hardened debris gradually accumulate on the surface of the printing platform. If these residues are not removed in time, they can lead to poor adhesion of the underlying layers of subsequent prints, model warping, or even printing failure. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the printing platform has reached the point where cleaning is required based on its usage status information, and then automatically perform platform cleaning operations at the appropriate time to ensure the reliability and print quality of long-term continuous printing.

[0129] Printing platform usage status information refers to information that reflects the degree of use, wear and tear, or accumulated residue of the printing platform during historical printing processes. This information can be defined from multiple dimensions, such as: the total number of printing tasks performed by the printing platform, the number of tasks performed since the last cleaning, the cumulative working time of the printing platform, the total energy output borne by the printing platform during printing (such as the duration of ultraviolet light irradiation or power integral), and the cumulative area or number of times the printing platform surface is covered by resin.

[0130] For example, this application embodiment uses "cumulative printing count" as a specific implementation of usage status information, that is, the number of completed printing tasks since the last platform cleaning operation was performed on the printing platform. This information can intuitively reflect the degree of accumulation of residues on the surface of the printing platform, and is simple to calculate and easy to implement.

[0131] Optionally, the usage status information of the printing platform includes the cumulative number of prints.

[0132] The cumulative print count refers to the total number of 3D printed parts completed from the first print job completed after the last print platform cleanup operation until the end of the current print job (i.e., the i-th print job). In other words, the cumulative print count is reset to zero after each platform cleanup, and then increases by 1 for each subsequent print job completed, until a preset threshold is reached, at which point cleanup is triggered again and the count is reset to zero.

[0133] After n 3D printed parts are removed and placed in the printed part storage area, the cumulative number of prints on the printing platform is incremented and updated.

[0134] If the cumulative number of prints reaches the preset threshold, it is determined that the print platform needs to be cleaned; if the cumulative number of prints does not reach the preset threshold, it is determined that the print platform does not need to be cleaned.

[0135] For example, if the user presets a threshold of 5 print counts, when the cumulative print count is updated from 4 to 5, the system determines that the printing platform needs to be cleaned and starts the platform cleaning process (e.g., printing a layer of solidified print on the printing platform and then removing it).

[0136] For example, if the user presets a threshold of 5 printouts and the current cumulative printout count is 3, which is below the threshold, the system will skip the platform cleanup step and directly execute the next print job.

[0137] In the example above, the cumulative number of print runs is closely linked to the actual completion of print jobs, with updates made in real time after each print job is completed. This allows for more precise timing in determining when platform cleanup is needed. Furthermore, the accumulation operation is performed immediately after scraping, ensuring the continuity of print jobs and providing timely data support for subsequent cleanup decisions.

[0138] Furthermore, through this threshold-based judgment mechanism, users can flexibly set the cleaning frequency according to the actual usage of the device and the characteristics of the printing materials, which avoids wasting time with frequent cleaning and prevents long-term neglect of cleaning from affecting print quality.

[0139] In some embodiments, the usage status information of the printing platform and the determination of whether there is a need for platform cleanup based on the usage status information also include at least one of the following.

[0140] 1. Residue accumulation information based on weight detection; The usage status information of the printing platform includes residue accumulation information. The residue accumulation information is data obtained by the weight detection module after detecting the weight of the printing platform, which can reflect the weight of resin residue or debris accumulated on the platform surface. Specifically, it is the difference between the current weight value after the scraping operation and the baseline weight value in the initial clean state.

[0141] The 3D printing equipment also includes a weight detection module, which is mounted on the support structure or moving mechanism of the printing platform to detect the overall weight of the printing platform. The control unit records the baseline weight value of the printing platform in its initial clean state and acquires the current weight value (i.e., residue accumulation information) collected by the weight detection module after each scraping operation. When the difference between the current weight value and the baseline weight value exceeds a preset weight residue threshold, it indicates that there is accumulated resin residue or debris on the surface of the printing platform, requiring a cleaning operation.

[0142] For example, if the baseline weight is 1000 grams and the preset residual weight threshold is 5 grams, then when the current weight detected after scraping is 1006 grams, the difference of 6 grams is greater than 5 grams, and the system determines that the printing platform needs to be cleaned. This residual weight threshold can be preset according to the adhesion characteristics of the printing material, the platform material, and process requirements, and users can also fine-tune it through the interactive unit.

[0143] This weight-based judgment method can directly quantify the degree of residue accumulation, regardless of the number or duration of printing tasks, and is suitable for precision printing scenarios with high requirements for platform cleanliness.

[0144] 2. Surface foreign object information based on optical detection; The usage status information of the printing platform includes surface foreign object information. Surface foreign object information is data information obtained by the optical detection module after optically scanning the surface of the printing platform. It can reflect whether there are residues or protruding foreign objects on the surface of the platform, including but not limited to parameters such as surface reflected light intensity distribution, height contour deviation or image texture abnormality.

[0145] The 3D printing equipment also includes an optical detection module, which is positioned within the visible range of the printing platform and is used to optically scan the surface of the printing platform. The optical detection module may include a laser emitter, a photoelectric sensor, or a structured light projection module, used to acquire information about the reflected light intensity distribution, height profile, or image texture of the printing platform surface. The control unit compares the acquired optical detection data (i.e., surface foreign matter information) with preset reference surface features (such as the standard reflectance value and flatness reference value of a clean platform). When the difference between the optical detection data and the reference surface features exceeds a preset optical anomaly threshold, it is determined that there are residues or protruding foreign objects on the printing platform surface, requiring a cleaning operation.

[0146] For example, the optical detection module uses a laser displacement sensor to scan the platform surface. If the measured height of a certain area exceeds the platform's reference plane by more than 0.1 mm, and the area of ​​that area is larger than a preset foreign object area threshold (e.g., 5 square millimeters), the system determines that there is residue and triggers platform cleaning. This optical anomaly threshold can be pre-calibrated based on the platform material, the optical properties of the printing material, and process requirements.

[0147] This optical detection-based judgment method can identify tiny foreign objects on the platform surface in a non-contact and high-precision manner, and is especially suitable for the accurate detection of residues in transparent resin printing scenarios.

[0148] The aforementioned information on foreign matter on the surface and the information on accumulated residues can be used individually or in combination to determine whether the printing platform meets the preset cleaning conditions, providing diverse triggering criteria for platform cleaning.

[0149] S204, if it is necessary to clean the print platform, clean the print platform, and after cleaning is completed, execute the (i+1)th print task in the print task queue.

[0150] The (i+1)th print job is the next print job in the print job queue after the current print job (the i-th print job). In other words, regardless of whether platform cleanup is required, the device will automatically continue executing the next print job in the queue after all post-processing steps (including scraping, optional cleaning, platform cleanup, etc.) of the current print job are completed, until all jobs are finished. This design ensures the continuity of the printing process, enabling automatic and continuous multi-job printing.

[0151] Optionally, if the printing platform needs to be cleaned, a solidified printout that covers the printing platform is printed on the printing platform; the solidified printout is then removed and discarded to confirm that the printing platform has been cleaned.

[0152] This cured print, also known as "full-coverage cured resin," refers to a thin, unstructured layer of cured resin formed by the printing unit on the printing platform, completely covering the effective printing area of ​​the platform. The full-coverage cured resin covers the entire effective area of ​​the printing platform, acting like a "film" the same size as or slightly larger than the platform. By curing and removing it, accumulated micro-residues, debris, or uncured resin can be removed, achieving deep cleaning of the platform.

[0153] Taking photopolymer 3D printing as an example, when the cumulative number of prints reaches a preset threshold, the control unit controls the printing output unit to generate a two-dimensional cross-sectional data that fully covers the effective area of ​​the platform (such as a rectangle the same size as the platform), and exposes and cures it on the printing platform to form a cured resin layer with a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0154] The dimensions of the cured printout are matched to the effective printing area of ​​the printing platform. Typically, its length and width are greater than or equal to the length and width of the platform's effective printing area, ensuring complete coverage of any remaining area on the platform. After curing, the control unit controls the scraper mechanism to remove and discard the cured printout from the platform, restoring the platform surface to cleanliness. Parameters such as the thickness and exposure time of the cured printout can be configured by the user through the interactive unit, or default values ​​preset by the device can be used to adapt to the needs of different resin materials and platform characteristics.

[0155] It is worth noting that after the cured print is removed, it can be discarded into a pre-designated waste collection area. The waste collection area can be a waste box or waste trough set up independently from the print storage area, and is used specifically to collect the cured full-width print generated during the platform cleaning process, to prevent it from being mixed with normally printed 3D prints and to prevent users from accidentally taking or mishandling it.

[0156] By physically separating the waste collection area from the printed parts storage area, the cleanliness and orderliness of the finished printed parts are ensured, while also facilitating the centralized recycling and disposal of waste. The waste collection area can be located below or to the side of the scraping mechanism. After the scraping mechanism removes the solidified printed parts from the platform, gravity or a guiding mechanism causes them to fall into the waste collection area, achieving automatic separation and collection.

[0157] Alternatively, the cured printout can be directly discarded into the printout storage area, stored together with normal 3D printouts. This eliminates the need for a separate waste collection area, simplifying the equipment structure and saving internal space. In this design, the cured printout, after being removed, also falls into the printout storage area. When the user retrieves the printout later, the cured printout can be removed along with it and disposed of as waste. To facilitate user differentiation, the cured printout can be designed with distinct appearance features compared to normal printouts, such as different colors, thicknesses, or surface textures. Alternatively, the cured printout may not undergo post-curing during its formation, resulting in a different surface texture for easy identification and separation. Furthermore, in the printout cleaning mode, if the printout cleaning unit performs cleaning operations on the 3D printouts in the printout storage area, the cured printout can also be cleaned simultaneously, preventing residual resin from contaminating the storage area. This unified storage method ensures effective cleaning while further reducing equipment costs, making it suitable for equipment designs with high space constraints.

[0158] In some embodiments, platform cleanup may not be necessary, and the cleanup step can be skipped. Optionally, if cleanup of the print platform is not required, the (i+1)th print job in the print job queue can be executed directly.

[0159] In summary, the printing method and 3D printing equipment provided in this application achieve an automated process for continuous multi-piece printing by setting up a printing task queue and executing multiple printing tasks sequentially. For each printing task, after the 3D printed part is formed on the printing platform, it is automatically removed and stored in the printed part storage area, completely replacing the manual removal operation required in traditional solutions and significantly reducing human intervention. Furthermore, the system dynamically determines whether platform cleaning is needed based on the platform's usage status information, and automatically performs platform cleaning when necessary, effectively solving the problem of printing failures caused by the accumulation of residue on the platform surface after multiple printings. This method allows the entire printing process to proceed without human supervision, especially during nighttime hours, enabling the equipment to operate continuously without interference, converting previously wasted idle time into effective production time, and significantly improving equipment utilization and overall printing efficiency. Simultaneously, by combining platform cleaning with the execution of the task queue, the next printing task is automatically started after cleaning, forming a complete automated closed loop, achieving automatic and continuous multi-task printing.

[0160] Corresponding to the printing method in the above embodiment, Figure 4 A structural block diagram of a 3D printing device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For ease of explanation, only the parts related to the embodiment of this application are shown.

[0161] Reference Figure 4The 3D printing device 400 includes: a printing platform 410 and a printable storage area 420, and also includes: The control unit 430 is used to execute each printing task in the printing task queue in sequence, and each printing task is used to indicate the printing of the corresponding three-dimensional printed part. The control unit 430 is also used to print n three-dimensional printed parts on the printing platform 410 when performing the i-th printing task, and to remove the n three-dimensional printed parts and place them in the printed part storage area 420, where i is a positive integer; The control unit 430 is also used to determine the cleaning needs of the printing platform 410 based on the usage status information of the printing platform 410; The control unit 430 is also configured to clean the print platform 410 when it is necessary to clean the print platform 410, and execute the (i+1)th print task in the print task queue after cleaning is completed.

[0162] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the above-mentioned units are based on the same concept as the method embodiments of this application. For details on their specific functions and technical effects, please refer to the method embodiments section, which will not be repeated here.

[0163] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the above-described division of functional units and modules is merely an example. In practical applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional units and modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The functional units and modules in the embodiments can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit. Furthermore, the specific names of the functional units and modules are only for easy differentiation and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. The specific working process of the units and modules in the above system can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0164] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes an electronic device.

[0165] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0166] like Figure 5 As shown, the above-mentioned electronic device 500 includes: The system includes a memory 510 and at least one processor 520, and a bus 530 connecting different components (including the memory 510 and the processor 520). The memory 510 stores a computer program, and when the processor 520 executes the program, it implements the robot visualization monitoring and control method of the present application embodiment.

[0167] Bus 530 represents one or more of several bus architectures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a graphics acceleration port, a processor, or a local bus using any of the various bus architectures. For example, these architectures include, but are not limited to, the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, the Micro Channel Architecture (MAC) bus, the Enhanced ISA bus, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0168] Electronic device 500 typically includes a variety of electronic device readable media. These media can be any available media that can be accessed by electronic device 500, including volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

[0169] Memory 510 may also include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 540 and / or cache memory 550. Electronic device 500 may further include other removable / non-removable, volatile / non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 560 can be used to read and write non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (… Figure 5 Not shown; usually referred to as a "hard drive"). Although Figure 5 As not shown, a disk drive for reading and writing to a removable non-volatile disk (e.g., a "floppy disk") and an optical disk drive for reading and writing to a removable non-volatile optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media) may be provided. In these cases, each drive may be connected to bus 530 via one or more data media interfaces. Memory 510 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules configured to perform the functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0170] A program / utility 580 having a set (at least one) of program modules 570 may be stored, for example, in memory 510. Such program modules 570 include—but are not limited to—an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each or some combination of these examples may include an implementation of a network environment. Program modules 570 typically perform the functions and / or methods described in the embodiments of this application.

[0171] Electronic device 500 can also communicate with one or more external devices 590 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, display 591, etc.), and with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with electronic device 500, and / or with any device that enables electronic device 500 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.). This communication can be performed via input / output (I / O) interface 595. Furthermore, electronic device 500 can also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and / or public networks, such as the Internet) via network adapter 593. As shown, network adapter 593 communicates with other modules of electronic device 500 via bus 530. It should be understood that, although not shown in the figures, other hardware and / or software modules can be used in conjunction with electronic device 500, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0172] The processor 520 performs various functional applications and data processing by running programs stored in the memory 510.

[0173] It should be noted that the implementation process and technical principles of the electronic device in this embodiment are explained in the foregoing description of the visualization monitoring and control method of the robot in the embodiments of this application, and will not be repeated here.

[0174] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps described in the various method embodiments above.

[0175] This application provides a computer program product that, when run on an electronic device, enables the electronic device to perform the steps described in the various method embodiments above.

[0176] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments of this application can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed by a processor, it can implement the steps of the various method embodiments described above. The computer program includes computer program code, which can be in the form of source code, object code, executable files, or certain intermediate forms. A computer-readable medium can include at least: any entity or device capable of carrying computer program code to a photographic device / electronic device, a recording medium, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution media. Examples include USB flash drives, portable hard drives, magnetic disks, or optical disks. In some regions, according to legislation and patent practice, computer-readable media cannot be electrical carrier signals or telecommunication signals.

[0177] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail or recorded in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0178] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0179] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices / electronic devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device / electronic device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0180] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0181] In the foregoing, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques have been set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application can also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted to avoid unnecessary detail from obscuring the description of this application.

[0182] It should be understood that, when used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or a collection thereof.

[0183] It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0184] As used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "if" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "when," "once," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if detected [the described condition or event]" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "once determined," "in response to determination," "once detected [the described condition or event]," or "in response to detection [the described condition or event]."

[0185] Furthermore, in the description of this application and the appended claims, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0186] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0187] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A printing method, characterized in that, Applied to a 3D printing device, the 3D printing device including a printing platform and a printable storage area, the method includes: The printing tasks in the printing task queue are executed sequentially, and each printing task is used to indicate the corresponding 3D printed part to be printed. When performing the i-th printing task, n three-dimensional printed parts are printed on the printing platform, and the n three-dimensional printed parts are removed and placed in the printed part storage area, where i and n are positive integers; The cleaning requirements of the printing platform are determined based on the usage status information of the printing platform; If the printing platform needs to be cleaned, the printing platform is cleaned, and after the cleanup is complete, the (i+1)th printing task in the printing task queue is executed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The usage status information of the printing platform includes the cumulative number of prints; The method further includes: After the n 3D printed parts are removed and placed in the printed part storage area, the cumulative number of prints on the printing platform is incremented and updated. Determining the cleaning requirements of the printing platform based on its usage status information includes: If the cumulative number of prints reaches a preset threshold, it is determined that the printing platform needs to be cleaned. If the cumulative number of prints does not reach the preset threshold, it is determined that the printing platform does not need to be cleaned.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of cleaning the printing platform when it is necessary includes: If the printing platform needs to be cleaned, a cured printout is printed on the printing platform to cover the printing platform; After removing and discarding the cured printed part, the printing platform is confirmed to be cleaned.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Without needing to clean the printing platform, the (i+1)th print task in the print task queue is executed directly.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printing equipment also includes a print part cleaning unit, which corresponds to the print part storage area; The method further includes: The working mode of the 3D printing equipment is determined, and the types of the working modes include scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode; If the working mode is the scraper cleaning mode, the cleaning unit performs a cleaning operation on the n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area. If the working mode is the scraping mode, the cleaning operation of the n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area by the printed part cleaning unit is cancelled.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, If the working mode is the scraper cleaning mode, the cleaning unit performs a cleaning operation on the n 3D printed parts in the printed part storage area, including: Obtain the cumulative information of the 3D printed parts already placed in the printed parts storage area, the cumulative information including at least one of the following: the cumulative number, cumulative volume, and cumulative weight of the 3D printed parts already placed in the printed parts storage area; wherein, the 3D printed parts already placed in the printed parts storage area include the n 3D printed parts; A cleaning operation is performed on all 3D printed parts placed in the printed parts storage area when at least one of the following conditions is met: the cumulative number reaches a preset number threshold; the cumulative volume reaches a preset volume threshold; or the cumulative weight reaches a preset weight threshold. The quantity threshold and the volume threshold are related to the capacity of the printed part storage area, and the weight threshold is related to the load-bearing capacity of the printed part storage area.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Detect the remaining capacity of the printout storage area; If the remaining capacity is lower than a preset capacity threshold, a prompt message is issued, which instructs the 3D printed parts that have been placed in the printed parts storage area to be removed.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a working mode setting instruction, wherein the working mode setting instruction includes the type of the working mode; Obtain a candidate print task queue, which includes multiple print tasks; Receive a task selection instruction for the candidate print task queue, determine the print tasks to be executed from the candidate print task queue, and obtain the print task queue.

9. A three-dimensional printing device, characterized in that, The 3D printing equipment includes a printing platform and a printable storage area, and also includes: The control unit is used to execute each printing task in the printing task queue in sequence, and each printing task is used to indicate the printing of the corresponding 3D printed part. The control unit is also configured to print n three-dimensional printed parts on the printing platform when performing the i-th printing task, and to remove the n three-dimensional printed parts and place them in the printed part storage area, where i and n are positive integers; The control unit is also used to determine the cleaning needs of the printing platform based on the usage status information of the printing platform; The control unit is also configured to clean the printing platform when it is necessary to do so, and to execute the (i+1)th printing task in the printing task queue after the cleaning is completed.

10. The three-dimensional printing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The 3D printing equipment also includes a print part cleaning unit, which corresponds to the print part storage area; The control unit is also used to determine the working mode of the 3D printing device, and the types of the working mode include scraping mode and scraping cleaning mode; The print cleaning unit is used to perform cleaning operations on the n three-dimensional prints in the print storage area if the working mode is the scraper cleaning mode. The control unit is further configured to, if the working mode is scraping mode, cancel the cleaning operation performed by the print cleaning unit on the n three-dimensional prints in the print storage area.

11. An electronic device comprising a memory, one or more processors, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the one or more processors, characterized in that, When the one or more processors execute the computer program, the electronic device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when run on an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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