Display system, 3D printing device and progress display method

Abstract

A display system (10) that displays a progress of processing by a 3D printing device (1) that produces an object having a three-dimensional shape (40; 50) by processing by adding material based on design data (24), the display system (10) comprising: an acquisition unit (13) for obtaining position data indicating a current position of a machining point where the machining is carried out, the acquisition unit (13) further obtaining path data, which are generated by a path generation unit (22) included in the 3D printing device (1) and indicate an optimal track, wherein the optimal track is a track set as a target; and a display unit (16) for displaying a trace of the machining point superimposed on the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) based on the design data (24) in order to display a progress of the machining from the start of the machining of the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) to a machining point where the machining is currently being carried out, where the displayed track is the optimal track.

Description

Area

[0001] The present invention relates to a display system, a 3D printing apparatus, and a progress display method for displaying the processing progress in the 3D printing apparatus. background

[0002] A 3D printing device that produces an object with a three-dimensional shape by adding material is known. A user of the 3D printing device occasionally checks the processing status by visually inspecting an object while processing is in progress or by visually inspecting an image of the object taken while processing is in progress. When a user wishes to check the processing progress status, such as which part of the three-dimensional shape of the finished product has been completely processed or which part of the three-dimensional shape has not yet been processed, it has been difficult for the user to understand the progress status from the visual inspection or the captured image.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a three-dimensional manufacturing apparatus that displays an indicator of the progress state of manufacturing a three-dimensional object on a display unit.

[0004] Patent Literature 2 discloses a 3D printing apparatus in which sensors detect characteristics of the 3D printing apparatus in a current processing state.

[0005] Patent Literature 3 discloses a virtual display in which a user can drag an object onto a displayed 3D printing device and thus start a printing process of the object. Citation listPatent literature Patent literature 1: JP 2018 - 34 440 A Patent literature 2: US 2016 / 0 179 064 A1 Patent literature 3: JP 2016 - 27 468 A OverviewTechnical Problem

[0006] In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 described above, models of the three-dimensional object are displayed in a two-dimensional figure, and one of the models that has been fully processed is colored, while other models that have not yet been fully processed are displayed with a percentage indicating the progress status. However, there is a problem with the display used in the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, namely that the user cannot understand the progress of the three-dimensional figure processing, such as which part of the three-dimensional figure has been fully processed or which part of the three-dimensional figure has not yet been processed.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a display system that can display the progress of processing a three-dimensional figure by a 3D printing apparatus in a manner that is easy for a user to understand. Solution to the problem

[0008] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a display system is disclosed having the features defined in main claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the display system have the features defined in dependent claims 2 to 9. Furthermore, a 3D printing device is disclosed having the features defined in dependent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the 3D printing device have the features defined in dependent claims 11 and 12. Furthermore, a progress display method is disclosed having the features defined in dependent claim 13. Advantageous embodiments of the progress display method have the features defined in dependent claims 14 and 15.A display system according to the present invention displays a progress of processing by a 3D printing device that produces an object with a three-dimensional shape by machining by adding material based on design data. The display system according to the present invention includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring position data indicating a current position of a machining point where machining is being performed; and a display unit for displaying a trace of the machining point superimposed on the three-dimensional shape based on the design data. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0009] The display system according to the present invention has an effect where it is possible to display the progress of processing a three-dimensional shape by a 3D printing device in a manner that is easy for a user to understand. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a 3D printing system including a display system according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first display example provided by the display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a second display example provided by the display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an actual track used in the Fig. 4 shown second display example. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure in an operation of the display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a first display example provided by a display system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a second display example provided by the display system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a first display example provided by a display system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a second display example provided by the display system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Description of embodiments

[0010] A display system, a 3D printing apparatus, and a progress display method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the following descriptions, a numerical control device included in the 3D printing apparatus is sometimes referred to as an "NC device" ("Numerical Control Device"). First embodiment.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a 3D printing system 100 including a display system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The 3D printing system 100 includes a 3D printing device 1 and a CAM (computer-aided manufacturing, CAM) device 2. The 3D printing device 1 is a machine tool that produces an object with a three-dimensional shape by adding material.

[0012] The 3D printing apparatus 1 can manufacture an object using various methods, such as direct energy deposition (DED), material extrusion, material spraying, and powder bed fusion. In the following description, the 3D printing apparatus 1 is a DED-type 3D printing apparatus that manufactures an object by adding molten material. A beam source is used as a heat source for melting material. The beam source emits a beam such as a laser beam or an electron beam. Spark discharge can be used as a heat source. A wire of metal material or powdered metal material is used as the material.

[0013] The 3D printing apparatus 1 includes the display system 10 that displays the progress status of the processing by the 3D printing apparatus 1, an NC device 11 that controls the 3D printing apparatus 1, and a manufacturing unit 12 that performs processing to manufacture an object.

[0014] The manufacturing unit 12 includes a heat source, a material feed unit that feeds material from a material supply source, and an axis drive unit that moves the machining point on an object. The machining point is defined as a position where machining is performed by adding material. Fig. 1, illustrations of the heat source, the material feed unit, and the axis drive unit are omitted. The heat source outputs a beam in accordance with an output command from the NC device 11. The material feed unit feeds material to the machining point in accordance with a feed command from the NC device 11. The axis drive unit moves the machining point in accordance with an axis command from the NC device 11.

[0015] The NC device 11 controls the 3D printing device 1 in accordance with a machining program 27 generated by the CAM device 2. The machining program 27 specifies a machining path along which the machining point is moved. The NC device 11 includes a program analysis unit 17 that analyzes the machining program 27 and a command generation unit 18 that generates various types of commands in accordance with a machining path and a machining condition. The program analysis unit 17 analyzes the machining path based on the descriptions in the machining program 27.

[0016] The command generation unit 18 generates an axis command, which is a group of interpolated points on the machining path per unit time. The command generation unit 18 generates an output command in accordance with a beam output condition, which is a machining condition specified by the machining program 27, and a feed command in accordance with a material feed condition, which is a machining condition specified by the machining program 27. The NC device 11 outputs an axis command to the axis drive unit to control the axis drive unit. The NC device 11 outputs an output command to the beam source to control the beam source. The NC device 11 outputs a feed command to the material feed unit to control the material feed unit.The command generation unit 18 outputs a coordinate value, which includes position data indicating the current position of the machining point, to the display system 10 based on the generated axis command. A configuration of the display system 10 is described below.

[0017] The CAM device 2 includes an input unit 20 to which computer-aided design data (CAD data) 24 is input, a target definition unit 21 which defines the design area as the target to be machined, a path generation unit 22 which generates a machining path, and a program generation unit 23 which generates the machining program 27.

[0018] The CAD data 24 includes data on design details of a product, such as the product shape, product dimensions, material, and manufacturing accuracy. The target definition unit 21 defines the shape region as the target to be machined and the shape region as the target not to be machined in the shape specified by the CAD data 24. The shape region defined as the target not to be machined includes a base material to which material is added when machining starts and a jig to which the base material is attached. In a case where the shape specified by the CAD data 24 includes a shape region that has already been completely machined, the target definition unit 21 defines this shape region as a target not to be machined.The target definition unit 21 defines a part of the shape specified by the CAD data 24, which differs from the shape area defined as a non-machinable target, as a target area to be machined. The target definition unit 21 outputs a CAD model 25, which includes design data specifying a target shape for 3D printing, to the path generation unit 22 and the 3D printing device 1.

[0019] The path generation unit 22 generates a machining path for machining the shape area, which is a target to be machined, based on the CAD model 25 obtained from the target definition unit 21. The path generation unit 22 outputs path data 26, which is data on the generated machining path, to the 3D printing device 1 and the program generation unit 23. The program generation unit 23 generates the processing program 27, which is an NC program, based on the path data 26 obtained from the path generation unit 22. The program generation unit 23 outputs the generated machining program 27 to the 3D printing device 1.

[0020] The 3D printing device 1 produces an object with a three-dimensional shape by processing it by adding material based on the CAD model 25, which includes design data. The display system 10 displays the progress of the processing by the 3D printing device 1.

[0021] The display system 10 includes an acquisition unit 13 that acquires various types of data, a processing unit 14 that processes the acquired data, an input unit 15 to which information is input through an input operation, and a display unit 16 that displays the information on the progress of processing by the 3D printing device 1.

[0022] The acquisition unit 13 acquires the CAD model 25 from the target definition unit 21, the path data 26 from the path generation unit 22, and the position data from the command generation unit 18. The acquisition unit 13 outputs all acquired data to the processing unit 14. Based on the data obtained by the acquisition unit 13, the processing unit 14 processes the data for display on the display unit 16. The processing unit 14 sets the data to be displayed in accordance with the information input to the input unit 15. Based on the data processed in the processing unit 14, the display unit 16 displays the data. The display unit 16 displays a trace of the machining point superimposed on the three-dimensional shape based on the CAD model 25.

[0023] A hardware configuration of the display system 10 will now be described. The functional units of the Fig. The display system 10 shown in Figure 1 is implemented by a progress display program executed using hardware. The progress display program is a program for performing the progress display method according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The display system 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 31 that performs various types of processing, a RAM (random access memory) 32 that includes a data storage area, a ROM (read-only memory) 33 that is a non-volatile memory, and an external storage device 34. The display system 10 further includes an input interface 35 through which information is input to the display system 10, an input device 36 that receives an input operation, and a display 37 that displays information on a screen. Fig. The units shown in Figure 2 are connected to each other via a bus 38.

[0025] The CPU 31 executes programs stored in the ROM 33 and the external storage device 34. The Fig. The processing unit 14 shown in Figure 1 is implemented using the CPU 31. The external storage device 34 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The external storage device 34 stores the progress display program, data acquired by the acquisition unit 13, and information input to the input unit 15. The ROM 33 has stored therein a bootloader, which is software or a program for controlling the hardware, such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or a UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which is a basic control program for a computer or controller, which is the display system 10. The progress display program may be stored in the ROM 33.

[0026] The programs stored in the ROM 33 and the external storage device 34 are loaded into the RAM 32. The CPU 31 develops the progress display program in the RAM 32 to perform various types of processing. The input interface 35 is a connection interface connected to devices external to the display system 10. The CAD model 25, the path data 26, and the position data are input to the input interface 35. The Fig. The extraction unit 13 shown in Figure 1 is implemented using the input interface 35.

[0027] The input device 36 is a device for entering information, such as a keyboard or a pointing device. Fig. The input device 15 shown in Figure 1 is implemented using the input device 36. The display 37 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. Fig. The display unit 16 shown in Figure 1 is implemented using the display 37. Furthermore, it is possible for the display system 10 to include an output device, such as a loudspeaker, that outputs a voice.

[0028] It is possible for the progress display program to be a program stored in a computer-readable storage medium. It is also possible for the display system 10 to store the progress display program stored in the storage medium in the external storage device 34. The storage medium may be a portable storage medium, which is a flexible disk, or it may be a flash memory, which is a semiconductor memory. It is possible to install the progress display program on the computer or controller serving as the display system 10 via a communication network from another computer or a server device.

[0029] Functions of the display system 10 can also be implemented by a processing circuit, which is dedicated hardware. The processing circuit is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. Some of the functions of the NC device 11 can also be implemented by dedicated hardware, and other parts can be implemented by software or firmware.

[0030] The display system 10 is not limited to being included in the configuration of the 3D printing device 1. It is possible for the display system 10 to be included in a device external to the 3D printing device 1. It is also possible for the functional units of the display system 10 not to be limited to being included in a single device; rather, they can be included separately in a plurality of devices. Fig. For example, in the display system 10 shown in Figure 1, the extraction unit 13, the processing unit 14, and the input unit 15 may be included in the 3D printing device 1, while the display unit 16 may be included in another device connected to the 3D printing device 1 via a network. In the manner described above, the display system 10 may be implemented using only a single device, or it may be implemented using a plurality of devices.

[0031] A display provided by the display system 10 will now be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first display example provided by the display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The first display example is an example of the display when the 3D printing apparatus 1 included in the 3D printing system 100 starts processing.

[0032] In this example, a target shape specified by the CAD model 25 is a filled elliptical cylindrical shape. The display unit 16 displays a 3D model 40, which is a three-dimensional shape based on the CAD model 25. The display unit 16 displays the 3D model 40 transparently. Transparent display is defined as a display that allows the far side of a displayed object to be seen through the object. The processing unit 14 processes the data to display the target shape transparently.

[0033] The display unit 16 displays a base material 41 along with the 3D model 40, which is a target shape. The target shape is created on the base material 41. Since the base material 41 is not a target to be processed, the display unit 16 displays the base material 41 non-transparently. The 3D model 40 is displayed in such a way that a portion of the base material 41 on the far side of the target shape can be seen through the 3D model 40.

[0034] While the 3D model 40 is displayed transparently, the display unit 16 colors the 3D model 40 in its entirety and displays the 3D model 40. Coloring the 3D model 40 refers to using different colors as a display color and a background color of the 3D model 40. The display color of the 3D model 40 can be any color that is distinguishable from the background. The processing unit 14 processes the data to display the 3D model 40 in a set display color. By displaying the 3D model 40 that has been colored, the display system 10 can make the 3D model 40 visually perceptible. It is possible for the input unit 15 to receive a command to change the display color of the 3D model 40. When there is a command to change the display color of the 3D model 40, the processing unit 14 performs a process to change the display color of the 3D model 40 to a specified color.The display unit 16 can display the base material 41 in any display color. In the first embodiment, the color is assumed to include a chromatic color and an achromatic color.

[0035] A display provided by the display unit 16 is not limited to a color display, but may also be a monochrome display. In a case of a monochrome display, the processing unit 14 performs a process for changing the grayscale value of the 3D model 40 differently for a region different from the 3D model 40. In this case, too, the display system 10 can make the 3D model 40 visually perceivable.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a second display example provided by the display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The second display example is an example of the display when processing has progressed from the state in the first display example. The display unit 16 displays the 3D model 40 and the base material 41 in the same way as in the first display example.

[0037] The display unit 16 displays a track of the edit point superimposed on the 3D model 40. In the first embodiment, the display unit 16 displays an actual track 42, which is a track along which the edit point has moved before reaching the current position. The display unit 16 also displays a marker 43 representing the current position of the edit point, with the marker 43 superimposed on the 3D model 40.

[0038] The acquisition unit 13 acquires position data indicating the current position of the machining point as needed after starting machining of a target shape. The processing unit 14 generates data on the current track 42 by performing a process of plotting the position data acquired by the acquisition unit 13 and connecting the plots with a line. The machining path generated by the path generation unit 32 is a track set as a target to which the machining point is moved. In the following description, the track set as a target is occasionally referred to as an "optimal track." The path data 26 indicates the optimal track.

[0039] The processing unit 14 for a process of displaying the mark 43 representing the current position based on the latest position data acquired by the acquisition unit 13. In the second display example, the mark 43 is an arrow indicating the current position. The current position indicated by the mark 43 is also considered a position of the leading end of the current lane 42. The mark 43 can be anything that allows a user to recognize the current position, and it can be any mark other than the arrow.

[0040] The 3D printing apparatus 1 deposits elliptical layers of base material 41 to produce an object having an elliptical cylindrical shape. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the current track 42 shown in Fig. 4 shown second display example. Fig. 5 illustrates the actual track 42 during machining on a single layer in plan view. During machining on the layer, the 3D printing apparatus 1 adds material while the machining point moves along the ellipse, thereby machining the outer circumference, which becomes a curved surface of the elliptical cylindrical shape. Inside the ellipse, the 3D printing apparatus 1 then repeats the addition of material while the machining point moves in a direction parallel to the minor axis of the ellipse, and no material is added during the axial movement in a direction parallel to the major axis. The axial movement is considered here as movement in accordance with an axis command. Due to this operation, the 3D printing apparatus 1 performs machining to fill the interior of the ellipse with material. The 3D printing apparatus 1 forms the layer in this way.The 3D printing device 1 produces an object by depositing the previously described layers on top of each other.

[0041] The actual track 42 is displayed so that a user can know the state of the actual machining up to the current position of the machining point. The actual track 42 displayed by the display system 10 is a track when material is added, and it does not include a track when the machining point moves axially without material being added. The display unit 16 displays the actual track 42 excluding a portion where the machining point moves without material being added. The track along which the machining point has moved without adding material is excluded from the actual track 42, so that the display system 10 can display a track over which the machining point has moved in a visible manner. The display system 10 is also capable of accurately displaying the progress of machining.

[0042] Fig. 4 illustrates a display example in which a plurality of layers are deposited while one layer is being machined. In this state, the display unit 16 displays the actual track 42 along which the deposited layers were machined, and the actual track 42 up to the current position of the machining point at the layer where machining is currently being performed. The display unit 16 displays the actual track 42 in a color different from that of the 3D model 40. The display color of the actual track 42 can be any color distinguishable from the 3D model 40. The processing unit 14 processes the data to display the actual track 42 in the set display color. By displaying the actual track 42 in a color different from that of the 3D model 40, the display system 10 can make the actual track 42 visually perceivable.It is possible that the input unit 15 receives a command to change the display color of the actual track 42. When there is a command to change the display color of the actual track 42, the processing unit 14 performs a process to change the display color of the actual track 42 to a specified color.

[0043] In a display provided by the display unit 16, a part 44 of the 3D model 40 where the actual track 42 is displayed represents a part that has been completely machined. A part 45 of the 3D model 40 where the actual track 42 is not displayed represents a part that has not yet been machined. Depending on the presence or absence of the actual track 42, a user can easily distinguish the part 44 of a target shape that has been completely machined from the part 45 of the target shape that has not yet been machined. The mark 43 is displayed along the actual track 42 so that a user can easily identify the current position of the machining point along with the machining status of the machining.

[0044] In a display provided by the display unit 16, the actual track 42 expands with the progress of the machining. In a display provided by the display unit 16, the mark 43 moves with the progress of the machining. By expanding the actual track 42 and the movement of the mark 43, a user can intuitively understand the progress of the machining in real time. A user can easily understand that the machining is progressing smoothly due to the fact that the mark 43 is moving.

[0045] By displaying the 3D model 40 as a transparent display, the display unit 16 can visually display the actual trace 42 in an area of ​​the 3D model 40 surrounded by the outline. With such a display, a user can easily understand the progress of machining a target shape.

[0046] Fig. Figure 4 shows the actual track 42 on the outer perimeter of the ellipse at a plurality of deposited layers. For some of the layers, representations of the actual track 42 on the inner side of the ellipse are omitted. For a layer immediately below the layer on which processing is currently being performed, a portion of the actual track 42 within the ellipse is shown as a dotted line.

[0047] It is possible for the display unit 16 to display the part 44 of the 3D model 40 that has been fully processed and the part 45 of the 3D model 40 that has not yet been processed in different colors. In addition to displaying in different colors, the display unit 16 can also use different transparency values ​​for displaying the part 44 and the part 45. Due to the different transparency values, the display unit 16 can display the part 44 of the target shape that has been fully processed and the part 45 of the target shape that has not yet been processed in an easily distinguishable manner.

[0048] It is possible for the display unit 16 to change the display of the actual track 42 with respect to a plurality of layers at which machining is complete to displaying the layers as an integral part of the object. The display unit 16 displays the actual track 42 for machining at a layer at which machining is currently being performed. In this way, the display unit 16 can display the display of the current track 42 at the layer at which machining is currently being performed in a manner that is simple and distinguishable from the layers at which machining is completed.

[0049] It is possible for the display unit 16 to display the actual track 42 in its entirety with the same color. It is also possible for the display unit 16 to display a part of the actual track 42 in a color that is different from the other part of the actual track 42. The display color of the actual track 42 at the layer where machining is currently being performed may be different from the display color of the actual track 42 at which machining is completed. In this case, it is possible to distinguish the actual track 42 at the layer where machining is currently being performed from the current track 42 at the layer where machining is completed. The display system 10 can make the actual track 42 at the layer where machining is currently being performed visually distinguishable.A user can easily identify the current track 42 at the layer where editing is currently being performed.

[0050] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure in the operation of the display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. At step S1, the acquisition unit 13 acquires the CAD model 25 output from the target definition unit 21, the path data 26 output from the path generation unit 22, and the position data output from the command generation unit 18.

[0051] In step S2, the processing unit 14 performs a process for displaying the data obtained in step S1. The processing unit 14 performs a process for displaying the 3D model 40 based on the CAD model 25. Based on the position data, the processing unit 14 performs a process for displaying the actual track 42 and a process for displaying the mark 43. In step S3, the display unit 16 displays the 3D model 40, the actual track 42, and the mark 43 based on the data processed in step S2. With this display, the display system 10 ends the operation in accordance with the Fig. Procedure shown in Figure 6.

[0052] The processing unit 14 determines whether the actual track 42 deviates from an optimal track based on the path data 26 obtained in step S1. If the distance between the optimal track and the actual track 42 exceeds a preset length, the processing unit 14 issues a command to display an alarm. The display unit 16 provides an alarm display based on the command from the processing unit 14. The display system 10 may output an alarm sound from the speaker described above. Through this operation, the user can recognize that irregularities are occurring during production through the alarm issued by the display system 10.

[0053] It is possible that the display system 10 displays an optimal track instead of the actual track 42. The processing unit 14 determines the position at the optimal track corresponding to the current track at the processing point, so that the display system 10 displays the optimal track up to the position corresponding to the current position. The display system 10 may also not acquire the path data 26 if the display system 10 does not issue an alarm or does not display an optimal track.

[0054] It is possible for the display system 10 to provide a display for a single 3D printing device 1, or to provide a display for a plurality of 3D printing devices 1. If the display system 10 provides a display for a plurality of 3D printing devices 1, a user can check the processing progress of all 3D printing devices 1 simultaneously.

[0055] A user can easily check the machining progress via the display system 10 without needing to visually inspect a real object or an image captured of the object. Even if it is difficult to visually recognize an object, or even if an object is in a position where it is difficult to capture an image of the object by the 3D printing device 1, a user can still easily check the machining progress. Even if it is difficult to visually recognize or capture an image of the machining point and its surroundings due to beam irradiation or light emission caused by spark discharge, a user can still easily check the machining progress.

[0056] According to the first embodiment, the display system 10 acquires the position data indicating the current position of the machining point and displays the actual trace 42 superimposed on the three-dimensional shape. Due to this operation, the display system 10 achieves the effect of displaying the progress of machining a three-dimensional shape performed by the 3D printing device 1 in a manner that is easily understandable to a user. Second embodiment.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a first display example provided by the display system 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a second display example provided by the display system 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the display unit 16 provides a first display and a second display. In the first display, the orientation of a three-dimensional shape is fixed regardless of a change in the orientation of an object for processing. In the second display, the orientation of an object is changed with a change in the orientation of an object for processing. In the second embodiment, constituent elements similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by corresponding reference numerals, and configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described.The configuration of the 3D printing system 100 including the display system 10 according to the second embodiment is identical to the configuration of the 3D printing system 100 including the display system 10 according to the first embodiment. The progress display by the display system 10 according to the second embodiment will be described here with reference to FIG. Fig. 1 explains where this is appropriate.

[0058] The Fig. The manufacturing unit 12 shown in Figure 1 includes a rotation mechanism capable of rotating an object about a first axis and rotating an object about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The rotation mechanism is driven in accordance with a rotation command generated by the command generation unit 18. Fig. 1 omits illustrations of the rotating mechanism.

[0059] In the second embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus 1 produces an object comprising a cylindrical body provided on one side of a base material 53 and a cylindrical body provided on another side of the base material 53. The base material 53 is attached to a stage 54. The CAD model 25 indicates the target shape, that is, the two cylindrical shapes. A 3D model 50, which is a target shape, includes a first model 51, which is one of the cylindrical shapes, and a second model 52, which is the other cylindrical shape. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows a state in which machining is being performed on one of the cylindrical bodies, which is the first model 51. The display unit 16 displays an actual track 55 superimposed on the first model 41. The display unit 16 displays a mark 56 representing the current position of the machining point with the mark 56 superimposed on the first model 51.

[0060] The axis drive unit in the manufacturing unit 12 moves the machining point in three axial directions. The X-axis and the Z-axis, which are located in the Fig. 7 and Fig. The axes shown in Figure 8 are two of these three axes. The Z-axis direction refers to the vertical direction. As with the 3D printing device 1, an object rotates when the rotation mechanism is driven.

[0061] The Fig. The first display example shown in FIG. 7 shows the first display in which the orientation of the 3D model 50 for display is fixed regardless of the change in the orientation of an object due to the drive of the rotation mechanism. Although the actual orientation of an object with respect to the 3D printing apparatus 1 is changed, in the first display, the orientation of the 3D model 50 for display is not changed. The orientation of the actual track 55 being displayed also remains unchanged. In the first display example, the display system 10 facilitates recognition of the processing in progress state. Even if the processing point is at a position where it is difficult to visually recognize in the current orientation of an object, the processing point can still be easily recognized in the first display.

[0062] The Fig. The second display example shown in Figure 8 shows the second display in which the orientation of the 3D model 50 for display changes with the change in the orientation of the object due to the drive of the rotation mechanism. When the actual orientation of an object for the 3D printing device 1 changes, in the second display, the orientation of the 3D model 50 for displaying the object is also changed in the same way as the object. The orientation of the actual track 55 being displayed is also changed. In the second display, the display system 10 can display the progress status of processing an object in the actual orientation.

[0063] By operating the input unit 15, the user can select either the first display or the second display to be displayed on the display unit 16. With this operation, the user selects either the first display or the second display as desired, and can thereby check the progress status of the machining. The display unit 16 may be capable of switching the screen between the first display and the second display, or may display the first display and the second display simultaneously on a single screen. The display unit 16 may rotate the display, enlarge or reduce the display, move the display, and the like, in accordance with an operation of the input unit 15. With this operation, the user can check the progress status of the machining in detail.

[0064] According to the second embodiment, the display system 10 displays the processing progress according to the first display and displays the processing progress according to the second display. Due to this operation, the display system 10 achieves the effect of displaying the processing progress of a three-dimensional shape performed by the 3D printing device 1 in a manner that is easy for a user to understand. Third embodiment.

[0065] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a first display example provided by the display system 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a second display example provided by the display system 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the display unit 16 deletes an optimal track 60 with the progress of machining, or changes the display of the optimal track 60 with the progress of machining, thereby displaying the progress of machining. In the third embodiment, constituent elements common to those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are denoted by corresponding reference numerals, and configurations different from those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly described. The display system 10 according to the third embodiment has an identical configuration to the display system 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0066] The Fig. The first display example shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the display when the manufacturing device 1 included in the 3D printing system 100 starts processing. The display unit 16 displays the optimal track 60, which is a track of the processing point, with the optimal track 60 superimposed on the 3D model 40. The processing unit 14 executes a process of displaying the optimal track 60 based on the path 26 obtained from the path generation unit 22. In the first display example, the optimal track 60 is displayed for an object in its entirety. The display unit 16 displays the optimal track 60 in a color different from that of the 3D model 40. The display color of the optimal track 60 may be any color distinguishable from the 3D model 40.

[0067] The optimal track 60 displayed by the display system 10 is a track when material is added, and it does not include a track when the machining point moves axially without adding material. The display unit 16 displays the optimal track 60 excluding an area where the machining point moves without adding material. The track along which the machining point moved without adding material is excluded from the optimal track 60, so that the display system 10 can display a track over which the machining point should move.

[0068] The Fig.The second display example shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a display when machining has progressed from a state in the first display example. In the second display example, the display unit 16 deletes a portion of the optimal track 60 over which the machining point has moved before reaching the current position. The processing unit 14 performs a process of determining the position of the optimal track 60 corresponding to the current position of the machining point and then deletes the optimal track 60 up to the position corresponding to the current position. The display unit 16 also displays the mark 43 representing the current position of the machining point, with the mark 43 superimposed on the 3D model 40.

[0069] In a display provided by the display unit 16, a part 61 of the 3D model 40 where the optimal track 60 is not displayed represents a part that has been completely machined. A part 62 of the 3D model 40 where the optimal track 60 is displayed represents a part that has not yet been machined. Depending on the presence or absence of the optimal track 60, a user can easily distinguish the part 61 of the target shape that has been completely machined from the part 62 of the target shape that has not yet been machined. The marker 43 is displayed along the optimal track 60 so that the user can easily identify the current position of the machining point along with the machining progress state.

[0070] By displaying the 3D model 40 in the transparent display, the display unit 16 can visibly display the optimal track 60 in an area of ​​the 3D model 40 surrounded by the perimeter. Through such a display, a user can easily understand the progress status of machining a target shape.

[0071] In a display provided by the display unit 16, the optimal track 60 becomes shorter as the machining progresses. In a display provided by the display unit 16, the mark 43 moves with the machining progress. By shortening the optimal track 60 and the movement of the mark 43, a user can intuitively understand the progressing state of machining in real time. A user can easily understand that machining is progressing smoothly, given that the mark 43 is moving.

[0072] It is possible that, instead of deleting a portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is completed, the display unit 16 displays the portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is completed in a manner different from the other portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is not yet completed. It is possible that the display unit 16 represents a portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is not yet completed by a solid line, while representing another portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is completed by a dotted line or the like different from the solid line.It is also possible for the display unit 16 to display a portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is not yet complete and another portion of the optimal track 60 where machining is complete with different line widths or different colors. In these cases, the display system 10 can display the machining progress of the fully machined portion 61 of the target shape and the unmachined portion 62 of the target shape in easily distinguishable ways.

[0073] The processing unit 14 determines whether there is a deviation between the optimal track 60 and the current position of the machining point. If the distance between the optimal track 60 and the actual track 42, which is a real track of the machining location, exceeds a preset length, the processing unit 14 issues a command to issue an alarm. The display unit 16 provides an alarm display based on the command from the processing unit 14. The display system 10 may output an alarm sound from the speaker described above. Due to this operation, the user can recognize that an irregularity is occurring in production through the alarm issued by the display system 10.

[0074] It is possible for the display system 10 according to the second embodiment described above to display the optimal track 60 instead of displaying the actual track 55 in the same manner as in the third embodiment. In this case, too, the user can check the progress status of the machining through both the first display and the second display.

[0075] According to the third embodiment, the display system 10 acquires position data indicating the current position of the machining point and displays the optimal track 60 superimposed on the three-dimensional shape. Due to this operation, the display system 10 achieves the representation of the progress of machining a three-dimensional shape performed by the 3D printing device 1 in a manner that is easily understandable to the user.

[0076] The configurations described in the above embodiments are merely examples of the content of the present invention. These configurations can be combined with other well-known techniques, and a portion of each configuration can be omitted or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols 13D printing device, 2 CAM device, 10 display system, 11 NC device, 12 manufacturing unit, 13 extraction unit, 14 processing unit, 15, 20 input unit, 16 display unit, 17 Program Analysis Unit, 18 Command generation unit, 21 Target definition unit, 22 path generation unit, 23 Program generation unit, 24 CAD data, 25 CAD model, 26 path data, 27 editing programs, 31 CPUs, 32 RAM, 33 ROM, 34 external storage device, 35 input interface, 36 input device, 37 advertisement, 38 buses, 40, 50 3D model, 41, 53 basic material, 42, 55 actual track, 43, 56 mark, 44, 45, 61, 62 parts, 51 first model, 52 second model, 54 frame, 60 optimal track, 100 3D printing system.

Claims

[1] A display system (10) that displays a progress of processing by a 3D printing device (1) that produces an object having a three-dimensional shape (40; 50) by processing by adding material based on design data (24), the display system (10) comprising: an acquisition unit (13) for obtaining position data indicating a current position of a machining point where the machining is carried out, the acquisition unit (13) further obtaining path data, which are generated by a path generation unit (22) included in the 3D printing device (1) and indicate an optimal track, wherein the optimal track is a track set as a target; and a display unit (16) for displaying a trace of the machining point superimposed on the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) based on the design data (24) in order to display a progress of the machining from the start of the machining of the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) to a machining point where the machining is currently being carried out, where the displayed track is the optimal track. [2] A display system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit (16) displays a mark (43; 56) representing the current position, the mark (43; 56) being superimposed on the three-dimensional shape (40; 50). [3] The display system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track along which the machining point moves before reaching the current position. [4] A display system (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the display unit (16) displays a current machining state in a real-time manner by expanding the track (42) and moving the mark (43; 56), the track (42) being expanded with a progress of the machining and the mark (43; 56) being moved with the progress of the machining. [5] The display system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track along which the edit point is to move from the current position. [6] The display system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the display unit (16) displays a current machining state in a real-time manner by shortening the optimal track and moving the mark (43; 56), the optimal track becoming shorter with a progress of the machining and the mark (43; 56) being moved with the progress of the machining. [7] Display system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display unit (16) displays the three-dimensional shape (40) transparently. [8] The display system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track without a portion where the machining point moves without adding the material. [9] The display system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display unit (16) provides a first display in which an orientation of the three-dimensional shape for display is fixed regardless of a change in the orientation of the object (50) for processing, and wherein the display unit provides a second display in which an orientation of the three-dimensional shape for display is changed with a change in the orientation of the object (50) for processing. [10] 3D printing device (1) which produces an object having a three-dimensional shape (40; 50) by processing by adding material based on design data (24), the 3D printing device (1) comprising: a path generating unit (22) for generating path data indicating an optimal track, the optimal track being a track set as a target; an acquisition unit (13) for obtaining position data indicating a current position of a machining point where the machining is performed, wherein the acquisition unit (13) further acquires the path data from the path generation unit (22); and a display unit (16) for displaying a trace of the machining point superimposed on the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) based on the design data (24) to indicate a progress of machining from the start of machining of the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) to a machining point where machining is currently being carried out, the displayed trace being the optimum trace. [11] The 3D printing apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track along which the machining point moves before reaching the current position, and the display unit (16) displays a current machining state in a real-time manner by expanding the track (42) and moving the mark (43; 56), the track (42) being expanded with a progress of the machining and the mark (43; 56) being moved with the progress of the machining. [12] The 3D printing apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track of the machining point along which the machining point is to move from the current position to be superimposed on the three-dimensional shape (40; 50), and the display unit (16) displays a current machining state in real time by shortening the optimal track and moving the mark (43; 56), the optimal track becoming shorter with a progress of the machining and the mark (43; 56) being moved with the progress of the machining. [13] A progress display method for displaying a progress of processing of a 3D printing device (1) which produces an object having a three-dimensional shape (40, 50) by processing by adding material based on design data (24), the progress display method comprising: a step of obtaining position data indicating a current position of a machining point where machining is performed; a step of obtaining path data generated by a path generation unit (22) included in the 3D printing device (1), wherein the path data indicates an optimal lane, the optimal lane being a lane set as a target; and a step of displaying a trace of the machining point superimposed on the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) based on the design data (24) to display a progress of machining from the start of machining of the three-dimensional shape (40; 50) to a machining point where machining is currently being executed; where the displayed track is the optimal track. [14] A progress display method according to claim 13, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track along which the machining point moves before reaching the current position, and a current machining state is displayed in real time by expanding the track and moving the mark (43; 56), the track being expanded with a progress of the machining and the mark (43; 56) being moved with the progress of the machining. [15] A progress display method according to claim 13, wherein the optimal track is an optimal track of the edit point along which the edit point should move from the current position, and a current machining state is displayed in a real-time manner by shortening the optimal track and by moving the mark (43; 56), wherein the optimal track becomes shorter with a progress of the machining and the mark (43; 56) is moved with the progress of the machining.

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