Methods for creating construction projects for manufacturing optical components using an additive manufacturing process, as well as methods for manufacturing optical components and computer programs.

Abstract

Method for generating build job data (1) for manufacturing optical components (2) using an additive manufacturing process, comprising the following steps: - Providing model data of at least one optical component (2, 8) to be produced; - Performing a simulation of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced with respect to at least one optical property of the optical component (2, 8); - Determining output coupling structures (3) of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced, with which light can be extracted, based on the simulation performed; - Adapting the model data of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced based on the determined output coupling structures (3);- Generating model data of support structures (7) with which the optical component (2, 8) to be produced can be stabilized during the additive manufacturing process, for the optical component (2, 8) to be produced, based on the specified output structures (3), wherein a support structure (7) can be arranged in each area (9) of a respective output structure (3); - Creating an arrangement pattern (22) based on the adapted model data of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced and the generated model data of the support structures (7); - Extracting the build job data (1) from the created arrangement pattern (22); and - Providing the extracted build job data (1).;

Description

The invention relates to methods for generating construction job data for producing optical components using an additive manufacturing method.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing optical components using an additive manufacturing method.Additive or generative manufacturing methods are increasingly frequently used for producing components, such as components. In this case, in particular, a 3D printing method is used. This results in the advantage that geometries of any desired configuration can be produced or printed in a cost-effective and efficient manner with respect to the components to be produced. Here, for example, a layer-by-layer manufacturing process can be used.For optical components, such as lenses, light guides and general optics, a smooth surface is required in order to be able to exclude undesired light leakage.In order to produce such optical components by means of additive manufacturing methods, a VAT-3D printing process (resin-based 3D printing method) can be used, for example. In this case, the production of three-dimensional bodies without the use of supporting structures is not possible in most cases. Such supporting structures are required in order to be able to absorb, for example, moments of force acting on the component to be produced in order to avoid detachment of the component from the construction platform.Thus, complex geometries with overhangs, undercuts or bridges can also be produced.At the points of contact between the supporting structure and the components, undesired defects which have a negative influence on the optical properties of the component can arise. These contact points can look different depending on the design of the supporting structure and can be designed as desired.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,611,092 B2 discloses the general description of optical components which can be produced by means of a three-dimensional printing process, such as a 3D print.DE 10 2021 003 866 A1 discloses a method for producing a light guide, wherein a blank of the light guide is produced by additive manufacturing and wherein the blank is subsequently processed with at least one cutting tool.US 2018 / 0 086 004 A1 discloses supports and methods for producing such supports which reduce the outlay for removing the supports from the object and / or a base plate in an additive manufacturing methodUS 2018 / 0 162 055 A1 discloses a printing system for printing a three-dimensional optical component, comprising a printing unit with a print head with ejection nozzles for ejecting printing ink droplets, a measuring unit for measuring optical properties of a pre-structure of the three-dimensional optical component, wherein the measuring unit comprises at least one light source and at least one light detector, and further a process control unit for determining the difference between the measured optical properties of the pre-structure and the target optical properties of the pre-structure.WO 2017 / 029 281 A1 discloses an optical element comprising a light guide with a front side, a rear side and a circumferential edge and a light-scattering 3D structure arranged directly on the front side of the light guide.An object in the present invention is that optical components can be produced better or more efficiently by means of an additive manufacturing method.This object is achieved by a method and a computer program according to the independent patent claims. Useful further developments are given in the dependent claims.One aspect of the invention relates to a method for generating construction job data for producing optical components using an additive manufacturing method, comprising the following steps:providing model data of at least one optical component to be produced;performing a simulation of the optical component to be generated with respect to at least one optical property of the optical component to be generated;determining decoupling structures, with which light can be decoupled, of the optical component to be produced on the basis of the simulation carried out;adapting the model data of the optical component to be produced on the basis of the determined decoupling structures;generating model data of supporting structures, with which the optical component to be produced can be stabilized during the additive manufacturing method, for the optical component to be produced on the basis of the determined decoupling structures, wherein a supporting structure can be arranged in each case in a region of a respective decoupling structure;creating an arrangement pattern on the basis of the adapted model data of the optical component to be produced and the generated model data of the supporting structures;extracting the construction job data from the created arrangement pattern; andproviding the extracted construction job data.The proposed method allows the production of optical components by means of additive or generative manufacturing methods to be carried out more efficiently, since the supporting structures which are required during the printing process or production process of the optical component can be taken into account in the planning or construction of the optical components. In this case, the supporting structures are designed such that they are situated in regions of the output structures of the optical component. This has the advantage, on the one hand, that after the production of the optical components, the supporting structures can be removed in such a way that the residues with respect to the removed supporting structures do not have a negative effect on the optical properties of the optical component. In other words, a symbiosis of the decoupling structures and the supporting structures is already carried out in advance before the optical components are printed, so that the regions which serve as the application point of the supporting structures with the optical component do not later have a negative effect on the optical properties of the optical component. In particular, defects are produced at the points of contact between the supporting structure and the optical component, which defects can have a negative influence on the optical properties of the optical component. These contact points can look different depending on the design of the supporting structure and can be designed as desired.By considering where the support structures are to be positioned, as in the regions of the decoupling structures according to the invention, the support structures can be better applied when used in the production of optical components.In lighting technology, these so-called supporting structures, such as control elements, are used to set a homogeneous emission of the light from optical construction sites. Depending on the application, these decoupling structures can deviate from one another in their geometry as desired, in the same way as the supporting structures in 3D prints. Common output structures can be steps, grooves or other different designs, such as lenses or prisms.As with the present invention, the unavoidable contact points with respect to the supporting structures in the 3D printing process are now utilized for the targeted decoupling of light. In future applications, this opens up a large, new field of application for additively manufactured optics. Furthermore, post-processing of the printed components can be significantly shortened, since the undesired contact points do not have to be removed manually by grinding, polishing or other abrasive methods. It is thus possible to simulate beforehand on the basis of the model data of the optical components to be produced, which optical properties they have and which decoupling structures are necessary. It is thus possible to simulate in advance how light can be coupled out of the optical components in the most efficient manner. These decoupling structures can subsequently be incorporated into the model data. Thus, since a number and / or position of the decoupling structures with respect to the optical components is known, model data of support structures for stabilizing the optical component during additive manufacturing can be known. In this case, the supporting structures can be used to realize mechanical stabilization, in particular static stabilization of the component during the printing operation.The supporting structures can be generated or generated in a computer-based manner in such a way that a supporting structure can be positioned or placed in a respective region of a respective decoupling structure. Thus, the support structures cannot be arranged at any matching points of the optical components as in the prior art, but are placed in the region of the decoupling structures. Thus, symbiosis can be achieved with respect to the decoupling structures and the supporting structures. Thus, the optical characteristics of the optical component can be increased. The use of additive manufacturing methods for optics can likewise be improved or increased as a result.The support structures can be efficiently generated, for example, with the aid of simulations, material data and / or a slicing tool. In an additive manufacturing process, material is joined, typically layer by layer, to produce workpieces from 3D model data. Methods of this category include manufacturing processes in which thermal energy selectively bonds or fuses regions of a powder bed. The construction job data indicate in particular at which locations the powder is to be melted. The model data is, for example, computer-aided design (CAD) data. Creating at least one arrangement pattern can be referred to as "nesting.". In this case, for example, a computer-implemented method, such as software, can be used to be able to generate the model data, in particular the arrangement pattern.The method according to the invention can be used, for example, as a software supplement and / or as an independent software tool for better creation of optical components.The method according to the invention can be applied to all powder-based, additive manufacturing methods of plastic, metal or ceramic components, such as, for example, "SLS" ("selective laser sintering"), "MJF" ("three-beam material application", "material jetting"), "SLM" ("selective laser melting") or "binder jetting".In particular, the proposed method can be a computer-implemented method.In particular, the proposed method can be produced by 3D-printed optics, such as optical components, without manual or mechanical reworking. Furthermore, a reduction in the production time of additively manufactured optics can be realized as desired. Furthermore, the design freedom for optical components can be increased. Reproducible results can likewise be achieved by previous simulations. Furthermore, with the aid of the proposed method, an optimum design possibility for optical components can be provided. In particular, the reduction in costs in prototyping can also be reduced.In one exemplary embodiment, it is provided that, with the simulation of the optical component to be produced being carried out as an optical property, an emission characteristic of the optical component to be produced is checked to see whether the optical component has a homogeneous light emission. Thus, in the simulation, a virtual or computer-based simulation of the optical component can be carried out here on the basis of the model data and it can be checked in this case whether the optical component can provide a homogeneous light emission. If the homogeneous light emission or emission of a light does not correspond to the desired or required properties, the decoupling structures or scattering elements can be correspondingly generated in order to improve the optical property of the optical component with the aid of the decoupling structures. Thus, the light yield of the optical component can be improved for a later use of the optical component.In one exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the checked emission characteristic of the optical component to be generated is taken into account when determining the decoupling structures, wherein a number, a shape and / or a type of the decoupling structures is determined depending on the checked emission characteristic of the optical component to be generated. Thus, with the aid of the simulation, the optical property of the optical component can be analyzed in such a way that decoupling structures matching the respective case with respect to the optical component can be generated or generated. In this case, it is possible, on the basis of the optical properties of the optical component, to define which number, which shape and / or which types the output structures should have. In this case, it is likewise possible to define the spacings at which, for example, the decoupling structures should be present on the optical component.In addition, depending on the checked emission characteristic of the optical component to be generated, a respective position of an output coupling structure of the output coupling structures of the optical component to be generated can be determined. Thus, not only can the number and / or the shape and / or the type of the respective decoupling structure be determined, but it can also be determined or calculated on the system side and in particular on the basis of a computer, where the decoupling structures are to be arranged. Thus, depending on which geometry the optical component has or which purpose the optical component has, the decoupling structures can be determined at the corresponding positions in, on and / or along a surface of the optical component. Thus, depending on which optical component is to be generated and which optical property it has, the corresponding decoupling structures can be generated individually. Thus, for a respective individual component, the decoupling structures matching this component can be generated.In one exemplary embodiment, it is furthermore provided that, depending on the checked emission characteristic of the optical component to be produced, a step-shaped light scattering element, a groove-shaped light scattering element, a lens-shaped light scattering element or a prism-shaped light scattering element is determined as at least one decoupling structure, this being taken into account when adapting the model data of the optical component to be produced. Depending on which optical property the optical component has and which optical application purpose the optical component has, the decoupling structures can be formed in the most varied types and / or shapes and / or geometries. It can thus be achieved that, depending on which optical component is to be produced, this optical component has an, in particular optimum, homogeneous light emission.In addition to the possible embodiments of the decoupling structure already mentioned, the decoupling structure can be configured depending on the most varied forms with regard to the optics.In one exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the model data of the supporting structures are generated in such a way that the supporting structures can be generated synchronously with the optical component to be generated during production of the optical component to be generated. This means, for example, if the optical component is produced layer by layer, a region of the supporting structures is likewise produced in each layer of the optical component to be produced by means of the additive manufacturing method, i.e. the 3D printing. The supporting structures are configured such that a respective supporting structure is connected at least at points to the optical component to be produced and to a construction platform which serves as a bearing surface for a respective starting material for producing optical components by means of the additive manufacturing method. In other words, powder or other starting material is applied for example on the construction platform with regard to the additive manufacturing method and, depending on where an optical component or a supporting structure or an output coupling structure is to be produced, the material there can be melted by means of a thermal energy input. Similar to supports or a framework, the support structures support the optical component until the optical component is removed again from the 3D print, for example. Thus, each support structure is connected, in particular, in a manner bearing against the ground, that is to say against the construction platform, and in each case to the optical component, in particular the region of the decoupling structures. In the region of the supporting structures which is connected to the optical component at least at points, planar or other connecting points or regions can also be present. Depending on how the optical component is dimensioned, for example size and weight, it is possible to choose between a point connection or a flat connection.In one exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the model data of the supporting structures are generated in such a way that a respective supporting structure rests with a first supporting side on the construction platform and rests with a second supporting side opposite the first supporting side at least at points in the region of a respective decoupling structure. Thus, on the one hand, the optical component can be stabilized during the printing process, viewed statically, and at the same time the special decoupling regions can also serve to accommodate the supporting structures lying thereon in addition to the light decoupling. Thus, the support structures can each be arranged similarly to a support or a rod between the construction platform and the regions of the decoupling structures. In particular, the supporting structures can be designed as elongate structures.In particular, the respective second support side of a respective support structure can be formed in such a way that it can be arranged or placed within the region of the respectively corresponding decoupling structure. In particular, an upper side of the second support side should not be larger than the region of the respective decoupling structure.In one exemplary embodiment, it is furthermore provided that a surface of the second support side of a respective support structure, which surface is directed toward the region of the respective decoupling structure, is formed in a punctiform, linear, rectangular or cuboidal manner, this being taken into account in generating model data of the support structures. Thus, depending on how the optical component and in particular the decoupling structures are formed, the supporting structures can be formed or constructed to fit it. Above all, depending on which support surface is required for stabilizing the optical component during the printing process, the surface of the second support side of a respective support structure can be formed. In addition to the above-mentioned surface embodiments, other geometric shapes can also be used.Furthermore, it is conceivable that for increased stability, the region of a respective supporting structure in the region of the first supporting side is configured to be thicker or wider than the region of the second supporting side. This has the advantage that the stability of the supporting structures can be increased and that, depending on how high the supporting structures project, the weight of the supporting structures can be reduced when viewed upwards.A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing optical components using an additive manufacturing method, having the following steps:applying a starting material to a construction platform; andin particular selective thermal action on the starting material by means of a directed energy source depending on the construction job data which have been generated according to a method of the preceding aspect or an advantageous development thereof.As a result, optical components can be produced more efficiently and better by means of additive manufacturing methods.The application of the starting material can take place, for example, depending on the construction job data.A system for carrying out a method according to the preceding aspect or an advantageous refinement can have a storage unit, an evaluation unit and an output unit.For example, the system may be a 3D printing system. In particular, this can be a system which can be operated on the basis of a resin-based 3D printing method.A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute a method according to the preceding aspect or an advantageous development thereof, and which can be loaded in a memory unit and can be executed by a processor. In particular, the method mentioned at the beginning can be used with the computer program just mentioned for generating construction job data. For example, the computer program can be implemented in a memory unit of the system described above.Advantageous embodiments of one aspect can be considered advantageous embodiments of another aspect or vice versa. In particular, the system or the computer program can have (technical) means for executing a method according to one of the aspects or an advantageous development thereof.For use cases or application situations which can arise in the method and which are not explicitly described here, provision can be made for an error message and / or a request for inputting a user feedback to be output and / or for a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state to be set according to the method.The invention also includes developments of the system according to the invention and of the computer program according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the system according to the invention and of the computer program according to the invention are not described again here.The invention also includes the combinations of the features of the described embodiments.Embodiments of the invention will be described below.The following figures show: FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment for generating construction job data for producing components; FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of supporting structures for stabilizing an optical component; FIG. 3 shows exemplary embodiments of the supporting structures, and in particular how these supporting structures can abut the optical components; FIG. 4 shows various exemplary configurations of decoupling structures for the optical components for improved light emission; FIG. 5 shows an optical component which is stabilized by supporting structures during the production process in such a way that the supporting structures enter into symbiosis with the decoupling structures; and FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a system, in particular a 3D printing system, for producing optical components by means of an additive manufacturing method.The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and that develop the invention in each case also independently of one another and are therefore also to be considered as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than the combination shown. Furthermore, the described exemplary embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.In the figures, elements having the same function are each provided with the same reference numerals.FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention or of a simulation method for generating construction job data and the production of optical components using an additive or generative manufacturing method.In an optional step S 1, model data of optical components 2 to be generated (compare FIG. 6 ) can be provided. This model data can be provided, for example, from CAD data.In an optional subsequent step S 2, the optical components 2, which may be optics, such as optical waveguides, for example, can be examined or analyzed on the basis of their optical properties, in particular their field of use. In this case, above all for a respective optical component 2, a simulation with regard to at least one or more optical properties of this optical component 2 can be carried out.In the simulation of the optical components 2, it is possible to take care above all of which radiation characteristic the optical component can have during a later use. It can thus be checked here whether the optical component has an efficient, in particular homogeneous, light emission or radiation. In the case of homogeneous light emission, an optical component has, for example, an optimum light yield. If it should now be established in an optional subsequent step S 3 that, on the basis of the simulations carried out, the emission characteristic and thus the optical property of the optical component 2 do not meet or meet the desired or required requirements, improvements in this respect can be determined subsequently. For this purpose, in a subsequent optional step S 4, decoupling structures can be generated or determined on the basis of the simulation results. With the aid of such decoupling structures 3 (compare FIG. 4 ), light can be decoupled, in particular in a decentrate manner. Thus, on the basis of the simulation, one or more decoupling structures can be generated in a computer-based manner for a respective optical component 2, which can be concomitantly taken into account during a later printing operation of the optical components 2. Thus, after a printing operation of the optical components 2, a component improved in terms of an optical property can be provided. For example, by means of the checked emission characteristic or the analyzed optical property, a number and / or a shape and / or a type and / or a dimension and / or an alignment of the decoupling structures 3 can be determined on the basis of the simulation. In other words, depending on which optical properties the optical components 2 have or which optical properties are to be achieved, the decoupling structures 3 can be correspondingly defined or determined or generated.Above all, depending on the examination with regard to the optical properties of the optical components 2, a position in and / or on and / or along the optical components 2 can be determined for a respective decoupling structure of the decoupling structures 3.For example, the decoupling structures 3 can have different shapes or shapes. For example, a respective decoupling structure 3 can be configured as a step-shaped light scattering element, as a groove-shaped light scattering element, as a lens-shaped light scattering element or as a prism-shaped light scattering element. For example, an output coupling structure 3 can be configured as a tooth-shaped light scattering element 4 (compare FIG. 4 ). Thus, such tooth-shaped light scattering elements 4 can be arranged uniformly or non-uniformly along the surface of the optical component 2. It is likewise conceivable that the decoupling structures 3 can be configured as groove-shaped light scattering elements 5 (compare FIG. 4 ). Here, the grooves may be formed in the optical component 2 in a rectangular shape or in a three-shape shape. It is likewise conceivable for the decoupling structures 3 to be applied as lens-shaped light scattering elements 6 (compare FIG. 4 ) on the surface of the optical components 2.The decoupling structures 3 can thus be configured as desired, as illustrated for example in FIG. 4 as possible embodiments. Depending on the application or on the situation, the decoupling structures 3 can be configured as desired.In an optional step S 5, after the decoupling structures 3 have been generated on the system side or on the basis of a computer, the model data of the optical components 2 can be adapted.Since forces and moments act on the components 2 to be produced during the layer-by-layer production process during the production of three-dimensional bodies, such as the optical components 2, deformations of the optical components 2 or even damage, cracks or total failures can occur. In order to prevent this, support structures can be used which are produced simultaneously or synchronously with the production process of the optical components 2. Once the optical components have been produced, these support elements can again be removed. Thus, these support elements serve only temporarily during the production process and are not a component thereof, in particular in the case of the end product with regard to the optical components 2.Accordingly, in an optional step S 6, model data of supporting structures 7 (compare FIG. 5, for example) can be generated.However, in the case of conventional methods, defects are formed at the points of contact between supporting structures 7 and an optical component 2 during the production and use of supporting structures, which defects can impair the optical properties. This is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2, where the supporting structures 7 simply abut the optical components 2. In the case of such an optical component 8, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, optical negative flaws would therefore be present at the locations where the supporting structures 7 were present. In order to be able to prevent this, it is provided according to the invention that these points of defects or these regions of the defects are utilized in order to undertake a targeted decoupling of light here. In other words, the supporting structures 7 are generated or constructed in such a way that the supporting structures 7 with the decoupling structures 3 enter into symbiosis, as illustrated for example in FIG. 5.This in turn means that the model data of the supporting structures 7, which can be embodied in rod form, for example, are generated in such a way that the supporting structures 7 can be produced synchronously or simultaneously with the components 2 to be produced. Thus, when producing the optical component 8 layer by layer, the support structures 7 and also the decoupling structures 3 are also produced simultaneously in addition to the optical component 8 per se. Thus, a 3D intelligent printing operation can be performed with respect to optical components. Above all, the supporting structures 7 are designed such that a respective supporting structure in each case matches the decoupling structures corresponding to this supporting structure 7. As illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, the supporting structures 7 are arranged in such a way that a supporting structure 7 is arranged in a region 9 in a respective decoupling structure 3. This can be seen in FIG. 5, where a respective supporting structure of the supporting structures 7 is arranged in a respective associated region 9 of the decoupling structures 3.In particular, the supporting structures 7 are configured such that a respective supporting structure is connected to the optical component 8 via the region 9 and in each case to a construction platform 10 (compare FIG. 5 ). The construction platform 10 serves in particular as a support surface for a respective starting material with regard to the production process by means of the additive production method. As illustrated in FIG. 5 by way of example in this respect, the supporting structures 7 can each be connected or contacted at points to the optical component 3 via the regions 9. This allows easy removal later. Due to the exemplary configuration of the regions 9, in particular of the decoupling structures 3, as in FIG. 5, any residues of the supporting structures 7 will no longer be visible from the outside after the latter have been removed. In particular, the model data of the supporting structures 7 can be generated in such a way that a respective supporting structure rests with a first supporting side 11 (compare FIG. 3 ) on the construction platform 10 and rests with a second supporting side 12 (compare FIG. 3 ) opposite the first supporting side 10 at least at points in the region 9 of the decoupling structures 3.For example, as a conceivable configuration, a support structure 13 (compare FIG. 3 ) can be arranged tapering upwards, viewed from the first support side 11 to the opposite second support side 12, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, a contacting point 14 (compare FIG. 3 ) of the support structure 13 can abut pointwise in the region 9 of the decoupling structures 3. Thus, a surface 15 of the second support side 12 is punctiform here, as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3.In a further embodiment of a support structure 16 of the support structures 7, viewed from the side, from the first support side 11 in the direction of the second support side 12 can run substantially straight upward and the contacting region 17 of this support structure 16 can have, for example, a linear surface 18 (compare FIG. 3 ). The contact surface between support structure 16 and optical component 8 is thus increased.It is likewise conceivable that, in another embodiment, a supporting structure 19 likewise extends straight upward, viewed laterally from the first supporting side in the direction of the second supporting side 12, and in the region of a contacting region 20, this supporting structure 19 has a rectangular or cuboidal surface 21 (compare FIG. 3 ). Further shapes with respect to the surface 15, 18, 21 of the supporting structures 13, 16, 19 or other supporting structures 7 are likewise possible, depending on how the decoupling structures 3, in particular the optical component 8, are configured.In an optional step S 7, the adapted model data regarding the optical components 8 and the model data of the supporting structures 7 can be considered together in order to be able to generate an arrangement pattern 22 (compare FIG. 6 ) therefrom. This is in particular a nesting process.In an optional step S 8, the construction job data relating to the components 2 to be produced can be extracted on the basis of the arrangement pattern 22. The extracted construction job data may be provided to a system 23, such as a 3D printing system, for example. This system 23 can have, for example, a memory unit 24, an evaluation unit 25 and an output unit 26. In particular, the simulations, for example, adaptations of the model data, generation of the model data and / or other steps mentioned above can be carried out with the aid of the evaluation unit 25.With the aid of the construction job data, the components 2 to be produced can be arranged a virtual construction space 27 (compare FIG. 6 ) viewed on the system side. This virtual installation space 27 can in turn represent a real installation space. In this real installation space, the construction platform 10 can be arranged on the floor, on which the components can in turn rest.In an optional subsequent step S 9, the production of the optical components 2 can be carried out by means of a printing method, for example. In this case, a starting material can first be applied to the construction platform 10. Subsequently, for example, by means of a selective thermal action on this starting material by means of a directed energy source 28 (compare FIG. 6 ), the components 2 to be produced in each case can be produced, for example, layer by layer synchronously with the supporting structures 7.In other words, a 3D printing of support structures 7, decoupling structures 3 and in particular of optical components 2 can thus be carried out. In this case, the supporting structures 7 can be used to stabilize the components 2 during the production process. The decoupling structures 3 can have a dual function, namely, on the one hand, the decoupling of light and, on the other hand, the selective provision of contact-making positions with respect to the supporting structures 7. Above all, a definition of suitable decoupling structures and supporting structures for optimum light extraction for optical components 2 can be realized. The optical properties of 3D printed optics may then be acquired and again used for later simulations regarding additive manufacturing methods.A transmission of a simulation result or simulation output can be used for slicing tools for component generation with respect to optical components 2.In other words, coupling out light from closed, transparent media, such as from optical components 2, can be achieved or realized by process-related structures, such as the coupling-out structures 3, in VAT-3D printing.

Claims

Method for generating construction job data (1) for producing optical components (2) using an additive manufacturing method, comprising the following steps: - providing model data of at least one optical component (2, 8) to be generated; - carrying out a simulation of the optical component (2, 8) to be generated with respect to at least one optical property of the optical component (2, 8) to be generated; - determining decoupling structures (3), with which light can be decoupled, of the optical component (2, 8) to be generated on the basis of the simulation carried out; - adapting the model data of the optical component (2, 8) to be generated on the basis of the determined decoupling structures (3); generating model data of supporting structures (7) with which the optical component (2, 8) to be produced can be stabilized during the additive manufacturing method for the optical component (2, 8) to be produced on the basis of the determined decoupling structures (3), wherein a supporting structure (7) can be arranged in each case in a region (9) of a respective decoupling structure (3); creating an arrangement pattern (22) on the basis of the adapted model data of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced and the logged model data of the supporting structures (7); extracting the construction job data (1) from the created arrangement pattern (22); and providing the extracted construction job data (1).Method according to Claim 1, wherein, with the simulation of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced being carried out as an optical property, an emission characteristic of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced is checked to see whether the optical component (2, 8) has a homogeneous light emission.Method according to Claim 2, wherein the checked emission characteristic of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced is taken into account in the determination of the decoupling structures (3), wherein a number, a shape and / or a type of the decoupling structures (3) is determined as a function of the checked emission characteristic of the optical component (2, 8), in particular a respective position of a decoupling structure of the decoupling structures (3) of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced is determined as a function of the checked emission characteristic of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced.Method according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein, depending on the checked emission characteristic of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced, a step-shaped light scattering element, a groove-shaped light scattering element (5), a lens-shaped light scattering element (6) or a prism-shaped light scattering element is determined as at least one decoupling structure (3), wherein this is taken into account in the adaptation of the model data of the optical component (2, 8) to be produced.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the model data of the supporting structures (7) are generated in such a way that the supporting structures (7) can be generated synchronously with the optical component (2, 8) to be generated during the production of the optical component (2, 8) to be generated, wherein the supporting structures (7) are configured in such a way that a respective supporting structure (7) is connected at least at points in each case to the optical component (2, 8) to be generated and to a construction platform (10) which serves as a bearing surface for a respective starting material for producing optical components (2) by means of the additive manufacturing method.Method according to Claim 5, wherein the model data of the supporting structures (7) are generated in such a way that a respective supporting structure (7) rests with a first supporting side (7) on the construction platform (10) and rests with a second supporting side (12) opposite the first supporting side (11) at least at points in the region (9) of a respective decoupling structure (3).Method according to claim 6, wherein a surface (15, 18, 21) of the second support side (12) of a respective support structure (7) which is directed towards the region (9) of the respective decoupling structure (3) is formed in a punctiform, linear, rectangular or cuboidal manner, wherein this is taken into account in generating the model data of the support structures (7).Method for producing optical components (2) with an additive manufacturing method, comprising the following steps: - applying a starting material to a construction platform (10); and - selectively thermally acting on the starting material by means of a directed energy source (28) depending on the construction job data (1) generated according to a method of the preceding claims.A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, and which is loadable into a memory unit (24) and executable by a processor.

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