Method for manufacturing three-dimensional object

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object that is easy for users to use.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes the steps of: receiving advertisement presence / absence information specifying whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional object; generating molding data for molding an advertisement-attached three-dimensional object, which is the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached, when information indicating that an advertisement is to be attached to the three-dimensional object is received as the advertisement presence / absence information; and molding the advertisement-attached three-dimensional object by laminating layers containing a molding material based on the molding data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. [Background technology]

[0002] A known method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is to eject a plasticized material onto a stage and harden it to form a three-dimensional object. In this method, the three-dimensional object is formed by controlling a three-dimensional printing device based on printing data.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for providing processed data, which includes the steps of receiving original data from an external device along with information indicating whether or not the processed data with advertisements is desired, and, if the information indicates that the processed data with advertisements is desired, generating processed data with advertising data added based on the original data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-279295 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes processing data, but does not mention the actual three-dimensional object formed by the three-dimensional printing device. For customers who cannot purchase a three-dimensional printing device, there are known proxy services that will form a three-dimensional object on their behalf using the three-dimensional printing device, but such proxy services are expensive and difficult to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the present invention includes: receiving advertisement presence / absence information specifying whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional model; generating, when information indicating that an advertisement is to be attached to the three-dimensional object is received as the advertisement presence / absence information, modeling data for modeling the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached, the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached; forming the three-dimensional object with the advertisement by stacking layers containing a modeling material based on the modeling data; Includes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic commerce system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of information and data in the electronic commerce system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a three-dimensional object. [Figure 4] 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing by a processing device of the three-dimensional printing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a three-dimensional printing apparatus of a three-dimensional printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0009] 1. 3D Printing System Configuration First, an electronic commerce system including a three-dimensional printing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic commerce system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of information and data in the electronic commerce system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0010] 1 and 2, the electronic commerce system 100 includes, for example, a three-dimensional printing system 102 including a processing device 10, a data storage device 20, and a three-dimensional printing device 30, a first input device 40, a second input device 50, and a communication network 60. The three-dimensional printing system 102 is a system that prints a three-dimensional object based on information from a user who requests the printing of the three-dimensional object.

[0011] The processing device 10, the first input device 40, and the second input device 50 are connected to a communication network 60. The communication network 60 is configured by, for example, the Internet or a local area network.

[0012] The first input device 40 is an input device operated by a user of the e-commerce site provided by the processing device 10. The user is a requester who requests the creation of a three-dimensional object and a user who uses the created three-dimensional object. The user operates the first input device 40 to access the e-commerce site and request the creation of a desired three-dimensional object from the e-commerce site. The first input device 40 is configured by, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like.

[0013] Prior to making a request to build a three-dimensional object, the user operates the first input device 40 to input user information. The user information includes, for example, personal information such as the user's name, address, date of birth, occupation, and hobbies. The first input device 40 transmits the input personal information to the processing device 10 via the communication network 60. The first input device 40 then acquires a customer ID of the e-commerce site from the processing device 10. The user accesses the e-commerce site using the customer ID and inputs modeling request information for building a desired three-dimensional object.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the modeling request information input to the first input device 40 includes modeling information about a three-dimensional model, and advertisement designation information about an advertisement to be attached to the three-dimensional model.

[0015] The object information includes modeling data. The modeling data included in the object information is data for modeling a three-dimensional object without advertisements. The modeling data is created, for example, by loading shape data into slicer software installed on a computer. The shape data represents the target shape of a three-dimensional object created using three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) software or three-dimensional CG (Computer Graphics) software. As the shape data, for example, data in STL (Standard Triangulated Language) format or AMF (Additive Manufacturing File Format) is used. The slicer software divides the target shape of the three-dimensional object into layers of a predetermined thickness and creates modeling data divided for each layer. The modeling data is expressed, for example, in G-code or M-code.

[0016] The object information includes, for example, object type information about the type of three-dimensional object to be formed based on the forming data. For example, when ordering a car part as the three-dimensional object, the user operates the first input device 40 to input information indicating that the type of the three-dimensional object is a "car part" as the object type information.

[0017] The object information includes, for example, object material information about the material of the three-dimensional object to be formed based on the forming data. For example, if the user desires ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin as the material of the three-dimensional object, the user operates the first input device 40 to input information indicating that the material of the three-dimensional object is "ABS resin" as the object type information. If the user desires metal as the material of the three-dimensional object, the user operates the first input device 40 to input information indicating that the material of the three-dimensional object is "metal" as the object type information.

[0018] The advertisement specification information includes advertisement presence / absence information that specifies whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional object to be modeled based on the modeling data. For example, if a user desires to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional object, the user operates the first input device 40 to input information indicating that an advertisement will be attached as the advertisement presence / absence information. If a user desires not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional object, the user operates the first input device 40 to input information indicating that an advertisement will not be attached as the advertisement presence / absence information.

[0019] The advertisement designation information includes, for example, advertisement-prohibited area information regarding areas of a three-dimensional object created based on the modeling data where advertisements are prohibited. For example, when inputting information indicating the presence or absence of advertisements as advertisement presence / absence information, the user operates the first input device 40 to input advertisement-prohibited area information for the three-dimensional object. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a three-dimensional object 2. In the three-dimensional object 2, area 4 is, for example, a portion that comes into contact with an external component (not shown) and is an area that is not visible even when the user uses the created three-dimensional object 2. Even if an advertisement is placed in such area 4, it will not function as an advertisement. Therefore, the user identifies area 4 as an advertisement-prohibited area and inputs information indicating the identified area 4 as advertisement-prohibited area information. For convenience, the advertisement-prohibited area 4 is shown in gray in FIG. 3.

[0020] The advertisement designation information includes, for example, advertisement area information relating to the size of an advertisement to be attached to a three-dimensional object to be formed based on the formation data, as shown in Fig. 2. For example, when inputting information indicating that an advertisement will be attached as advertisement presence / absence information, the user operates the first input device 40 to input the area of ​​the region where the advertisement will be attached as the advertisement area information.

[0021] The advertisement specification information includes, for example, advertisement display method information relating to a method for displaying an advertisement on a three-dimensional object formed based on the modeling data. The advertisement display method information includes, for example, at least one of information indicating that an advertisement is to be displayed by forming a concave-convex shape on the surface of the three-dimensional object and information indicating that an advertisement is to be displayed by using multiple modeling materials with different properties. When entering information indicating that an advertisement is to be displayed by forming a concave-convex shape on the surface of the three-dimensional object as advertisement display method information, the user operates the first input device 40 to input modeling data for forming a three-dimensional object including a concave-convex shape that functions as an advertisement. The concave-convex shape that functions as an advertisement may be a concave-convex shape that changes the reflected light by slightly changing the surface roughness. When entering information as advertisement display method information that an advertisement will be displayed using multiple molding materials with different properties, the user operates the first input device 40 to enter, for example, information that only the advertisement portion will be formed using a different material, information that even if the same material is used, for example, by using white ABS and black ABS to make only the advertisement portion a different color, or information that the advertisement portion will be formed using materials with different magnetic properties.

[0022] The first input device 40 transmits the input customer ID of the user, the object information, and the advertisement designation information as modeling request information to the processing device 10 via the communication network 60. The processing device 10 receives the modeling request information transmitted from the first input device 40 via the communication network 60. Then, the processing device 10 transmits the customer ID of the user, the personal information linked to the customer ID, the object information, and the advertisement designation information to the data storage device 20.

[0023] Although only one first input device 40 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in reality, the first input device 40 of each user of the electronic commerce site is connected to the communication network 60.

[0024] The second input device 50 is an input device for advertising requests operated by an advertising client who requests an advertisement on the advertising recruitment site provided by the processing device 10. The second input device 50 is configured, for example, by a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like. The second input device 50 may also be configured as a dedicated terminal for advertising requests.

[0025] Advertising information is input to the second input device 50. The advertising client operates the second input device 50 to input the advertising information. Specifically, the advertising client operates the second input device 50 to display an advertising information input screen for requesting an advertisement on the display unit of the second input device 50, and inputs the advertising information into the advertising request input screen. The second input device 50 transmits the input advertising information to the processing device 10 via the communication network 60. Then, the processing device 10 transmits the advertising information to the data storage device 20.

[0026] Examples of advertising information input to the second input device 50 include a two-dimensional barcode and the name of the advertising client's company. By reading the two-dimensional barcode as advertising information with a predetermined device such as a smartphone, a site linked to the two-dimensional barcode can be viewed within the device. Examples of sites linked to the two-dimensional barcode include a site explaining the products handled by the advertising client and the client's company homepage.

[0027] The data storage device 20 has a database 22. The data storage device 20 adds the modeling request information transmitted from the first input device 40 to a modeling object request list 24 in the database 22. The modeling object request list 24 stores, for each piece of modeling request information previously transmitted, the user's customer ID, the user's personal information, model information, and advertisement specification information. Furthermore, the data storage device 20 adds the advertisement information transmitted from the second input device 50 to an advertisement list 26 in the database 22. The advertisement list 26 stores previously transmitted advertisement information.

[0028] The processing device 10 provides an e-commerce site. The processing device 10 functions as a server that processes transactions by users who are customers on the e-commerce site. Furthermore, the processing device 10 provides an advertisement solicitation site. The processing device 10 functions as a server that processes requests from advertising clients on the advertisement solicitation site.

[0029] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the processing device 10. FIG. 4 shows the processing from when the processing device 10 receives request information to when it transmits modeling data to the three-dimensional modeling device 30.

[0030] The processing device 10 starts processing when the user operates the first input device 40 to access an e-commerce site.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, in Step S1, the processing device 10 receives the modeling request information transmitted from the first input device 40 via the communication network 60.

[0032] Next, in Step S2, the processing device 10 determines whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional model. If the advertisement presence / absence information in the received modeling request information indicates that an advertisement will not be attached to the three-dimensional model ("NO" in Step S2), the processing device 10 transmits the received modeling data without an advertisement to the three-dimensional modeling device 30 in Step S3. Then, the processing device 10 ends the process.

[0033] On the other hand, if the advertisement presence / absence information in the received modeling request information indicates that an advertisement is to be attached to the three-dimensional model ("YES" in step S2), the processing device 10 matches the received modeling request information with the advertisement information in step S4. The processing device 10 selects advertisement information related to the received modeling request information from, for example, the advertisement information stored in the advertisement list 26 of the database 22. An example of a method for selecting advertisement information related to the modeling request information will be described below.

[0034] The processing device 10 may select related advertisement information based on the object type information included in the object-forming request information. For example, if "car parts" is input as the object type information, the processing device 10 selects advertisement information of companies related to cars from the advertisement information stored in the advertisement list 26.

[0035] The processing device 10 may select related advertising information based on the object material information included in the modeling request information. For example, if "ABS resin" is input as the object material information, the processing device 10 selects advertising information of a company related to resin from the advertising information stored in the advertising list 26. If "metal" is input as the object material information, the processing device 10 selects advertising information of a company related to metal from the advertising information stored in the advertising list 26.

[0036] The processing device 10 may select related advertising information from the advertising information stored in the advertising list 26, based on user information linked to the customer ID included in the modeling request information. For example, if "cars" is entered as hobby information included in the user information, the processing device 10 selects advertising information of a company related to cars from the advertising information stored in the advertising list 26.

[0037] The processing device 10 may perform machine learning based on the modeling request information stored in the modeling request list 24 of the database 22 and the advertisement information stored in the advertisement list 26 of the database 22, and may select advertisement information related to the received modeling request information based on the machine learning. The processing device 10 may perform machine learning using an analysis method such as cross-tabulation, cluster analysis, association analysis, logistic regression analysis, decision tree analysis, or principal component analysis, or may perform machine learning using deep learning.

[0038] Next, in step S5, the processing device 10 identifies a first region 6 and a second region 8 for the three-dimensional object 2 to be formed based on the forming data, as shown in FIG. 3. The shape of the three-dimensional object 2 is not particularly limited, but in the illustrated example, it is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The three-dimensional object 2 has the first region 6 and the second region 8. The first region 6 and the second region 8 are regions excluding the advertisement prohibited region 4. For convenience, the second region 8 is indicated by small dots in FIG. 3.

[0039] The first region 6 is a region with high visibility. For example, a plurality of first regions 6 are provided. For example, the first region 6 is a region on the top surface 2a of the three-dimensional object 2, and has an area smaller than that of the top surface 2a. The first region 6 is a region that does not include the side 2e of the top surface 2a of the three-dimensional object 2. For example, the first region 6 is a region that is a predetermined distance away from the side 2e of the top surface 2a, and has an area equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The first region 6 is a region on the side surface 2b of the three-dimensional object 2, and has an area smaller than that of the side surface 2b. The first region 6 is a region that does not include the side 2e of the side surface 2b of the three-dimensional object 2. For example, the first region 6 is a region that is a predetermined distance away from the side 2e of the side surface 2b, and has an area equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The bottom surface 2c of the three-dimensional object 2 is not a first region 6.

[0040] The second region 8 is an area with lower visibility than the first region 6. When the three-dimensional object 2 is formed, the second region 8 may be an area that is viewed by users less frequently than the first region 6. When text is added as an advertisement to the second region 8, the second region 8 may be an area where the content of the advertisement is more difficult for users to read than the first region 6. When a two-dimensional barcode is added as an advertisement to the second region 8, the second region 8 may be an area where the two-dimensional barcode is more difficult to read with a predetermined device than the first region 6.

[0041] The second region 8 is, for example, a region that includes a corner 2d of the three-dimensional object 2. The second region 8 is, for example, a region within a predetermined distance from the vertex of the corner 2d, and a region within a predetermined distance from a side 2e of the three-dimensional object 2. The second region 8 includes, for example, the bottom surface 2c of the three-dimensional object 2. The second region 8 includes, for example, a curved portion 2f of the three-dimensional object 2. The area of ​​the second region 8 is, for example, smaller than the area of ​​the first region 6.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 4 , the processing device 10 receives advertising area designation information in step S6. Specifically, the processing device 10 causes the e-commerce site to display a preview of the three-dimensional model of the three-dimensional object 2 in which the first area 6 and the second area 8 have been identified. The user operates the first input device 40 to access the e-commerce site and check the three-dimensional model of the three-dimensional object 2 in which the first area 6 and the second area 8 have been identified. The user operates the first input device 40 to generate advertising area designation information, which is information indicating whether the advertisement should be placed in the first area 6 or the second area 8. Then, the user transmits the advertising area designation information to the processing device 10 via the communication network 60.

[0043] Next, in Step S7, the processing device 10 generates advertisement-attached modeling data of the three-dimensional modeled object with the advertisement attached, based on the received advertisement area designation information. Based on the generated advertisement-attached modeling data, the processing device 10 displays a preview of the three-dimensional model of the three-dimensional modeled object with the advertisement attached, on the e-commerce site.

[0044] Furthermore, the processing device 10 generates modeling cost information based on the advertisement-attached modeling data. The modeling cost information includes information on the cost of the three-dimensional object when an advertisement is attached to the area selected by the advertising area designation information. The modeling cost information also includes information on the cost of the three-dimensional object when an advertisement is attached to an area not selected by the advertising area designation information. For example, when the first area 6 is selected by the advertising area designation information, the processing device 10 estimates a first modeling cost for modeling the three-dimensional object 2 with an advertisement attached to the first area 6 and a second modeling cost for modeling the three-dimensional object 2 with an advertisement attached to the second area 8 not selected by the advertising area designation information. The second modeling cost is higher than the first modeling cost. The processing device 10 transmits the first modeling cost and the second modeling cost to the e-commerce site, along with a preview of the three-dimensional model of the three-dimensional object with the advertisement attached.

[0045] Next, in step S8, the processing device 10 determines whether or not to build the three-dimensional object with the advertisement attached. Specifically, the user operates the first input device 40 to access the e-commerce site, and checks a preview of the three-dimensional model of the three-dimensional object with the advertisement attached and the build cost. Then, the user operates the first input device 40 to transmit build feasibility information, indicating whether or not to build the three-dimensional object with the advertisement attached, to the e-commerce site. The processing device 10 receives the build feasibility information from the e-commerce site.

[0046] If the received modeling feasibility information indicates that modeling of a three-dimensional object is not permitted ("NO" in step S8), the processing device 10 returns the process to step S1. In this case, the user may change, for example, the advertising area information or the advertising display method information included in the modeling request information. The processing device 10 may receive the changed modeling request information in step S1. The processing device 10 repeats steps S1 to S8 until it determines "YES" in step S8.

[0047] On the other hand, if the received printing feasibility information indicates that printing of a three-dimensional object is permitted ("YES" in step S8), the processing device 10 transmits the printing data with advertisement to the three-dimensional printing device 30. Then, the processing device 10 ends the process.

[0048] 1 and 2, the three-dimensional printing device 30 prints a three-dimensional object based on the printing data with advertisements received from the processing device 10. When the three-dimensional printing device 30 receives printing data without advertisements from the processing device 10, the three-dimensional printing device 30 prints a three-dimensional object based on the received printing data without advertisements. Details of the three-dimensional printing device 30 will be described later.

[0049] The three-dimensional object with an advertisement formed by the three-dimensional printing device 30 is delivered to the user via, for example, a shipping company. The user may also pick up the three-dimensional object with an advertisement that was formed by themselves.

[0050] A user who receives the three-dimensional object with an advertisement reads the two-dimensional barcode attached to the three-dimensional object with a device such as a smartphone. When the user browses the site linked by reading the two-dimensional barcode, the processing device 10 accesses the database 22 and adds at least one of "points" and "coupons" to the user's personal information. The processing device 10 then transmits information to the user's first input device 40 via the e-commerce site indicating that at least one of predetermined points and coupons has been issued.

[0051] The processing device 10 reads the user's personal information, advertising information, and two-dimensional barcodes to feed back browsing information indicating the number of times a linked site has been viewed to the database 22. When selecting advertising information related to the request information based on machine learning, machine learning is performed based on the fed-back information. The database 22 may store the advertising information in association with the number of views included in the browsing information.

[0052] If the advertisement attached to the three-dimensional object with advertisement includes the name of the advertising client's company, the user may receive a separate delivery item showing a two-dimensional barcode linked to a site that describes the products handled by the advertising client's company.

[0053] An advertising client who has attached an advertisement to a three-dimensional object with an advertisement is charged a predetermined fee, for example, after the three-dimensional object with an advertisement has been created. Note that the advertising client may also be charged the predetermined fee when they input advertising information into the advertising recruitment site, rather than after the three-dimensional object with an advertisement has been created.

[0054] 1.2. Three-dimensional printing equipment Next, a 3D printing device of the 3D printing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the 3D printing device 30 of the 3D printing system 102 according to this embodiment.

[0055] 5, the three-dimensional modeling device 30 includes, for example, a material supply unit 31, a flat screw 32, a motor 33, a barrel 34, a heater 35, a nozzle 36, a stage 37, and a position change unit 38. The three-dimensional modeling device 30 is, for example, a fused deposition modeling (FDM (registered trademark)) type three-dimensional modeling device.

[0056] The raw material for the three-dimensional object is supplied to the material supply unit 31. The raw material is introduced from the material supply unit 31 into a spiral groove 32a formed in the flat screw 32. The spiral groove 32a is formed on the surface of the flat screw 32 facing the barrel 34. The flat screw 32 is rotated by the motor 33, and transports the raw material to a communication hole 34a formed in the center of the barrel 34.

[0057] The raw material for the three-dimensional object is heated by the heater 35 while passing through the spiral groove 32a. This causes the raw material to become a plasticized modeling material. The modeling material then passes through the communication hole 34a and the nozzle hole 36a and is injected from the nozzle 36 onto the stage 37.

[0058] Based on the modeling data, the three-dimensional modeling device 30 discharges a plasticized model from the nozzle 36 onto the stage 37, while driving the position changing unit 38 to change the relative position between the nozzle 36 and the stage 37. In this way, the three-dimensional modeling device 30 models, on the stage 37, a three-dimensional model with an advertisement of a predetermined shape, in which multiple layers are stacked.

[0059] 2. Manufacturing method for three-dimensional objects Flow Next, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to this embodiment. In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to this embodiment, for example, either the processing device 10 or the three-dimensional printing device 30 included in the three-dimensional printing system 102 performs each step in Fig. 6.

[0060] First, in step S11, modeling request information including a customer ID, model information, and advertisement specification information is received. The customer ID is linked to user information about the user requesting the modeling of a three-dimensional model. The model information includes model type information about the type of three-dimensional model. The advertisement specification information includes advertisement presence / absence information that specifies whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional model, and advertisement prohibited area information about areas of the three-dimensional model where attaching an advertisement is prohibited.

[0061] Next, in step S12, an advertisement to be attached to the three-dimensional object is selected, for example, based on at least one of the user information and the object type information.

[0062] Next, in step S13, advertising area designation information is received for the three-dimensional object 2. For example, in the three-dimensional object 2, the advertising designation information is information indicating whether the advertisement should be placed in the first area 6 or in a second area 8 that has lower visibility than the first area 6. The second area 8 is at least one of the bottom surface 2c, corners 2d, curved portions 2f, and an area smaller in area than the first area 6 of the three-dimensional object 2.

[0063] Next, in step S14, the manufacturing cost of the three-dimensional object with an advertisement is estimated based on the received advertisement presence / absence information. In this process, if the received advertising area designation information indicates that an advertisement is to be placed in the second area 8, the manufacturing cost is estimated to be higher than if the received advertising area designation information indicates that an advertisement is to be placed in the first area 6.

[0064] Next, in step S15, when information indicating that an advertisement is to be attached to the three-dimensional model is received as the advertisement presence / absence information, modeling data for forming an advertisement-attached three-dimensional model, which is a three-dimensional model with an advertisement attached, is generated.

[0065] Next, in step S16, the modeling material is dispensed based on the modeling data to stack layers containing the modeling material, thereby forming a three-dimensional object with the advertisement. In this process, the advertisement is attached by, for example, forming a concave-convex shape or by using multiple modeling materials with different properties.

[0066] Next, in step S17, the advertisement for the three-dimensional object with advertisement can be read by the device and viewed within the device, and when the advertisement for the three-dimensional object with advertisement is read by the device, at least one of points and a coupon is issued.

[0067] In this way, a three-dimensional object can be manufactured. Note that the three-dimensional object with the advertisement may be manufactured by various manufacturing methods such as an inkjet method, a DMD (Direct Metal Deposition) method, or a powder bed fusion method.

[0068] 2.2. Effects The manufacturing method of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of: receiving advertising presence / absence information specifying whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional object; generating modeling data for forming an advertisement-attached three-dimensional object, which is a three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached, when the advertising presence / absence information indicates that the three-dimensional object will be attached; and forming the advertisement-attached three-dimensional object by stacking layers containing modeling materials based on the modeling data. Therefore, when the manufacturing method of a three-dimensional object receives information indicating that an advertisement will be attached to the three-dimensional object as advertising presence / absence information, it is possible to charge a portion of the modeling cost of the advertisement-attached three-dimensional object to the advertising client who provided the advertisement. This reduces the modeling cost of the advertisement-attached three-dimensional object. Therefore, the manufacturing method of a three-dimensional object is easy for users to use.

[0069] The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a step of receiving advertisement-prohibited area information regarding an area 4 of the three-dimensional object where advertisements are prohibited. Area 4 is an area that is not visible even when a user uses the created three-dimensional object with an advertisement. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object can ensure the promotional appeal of the advertisement.

[0070] In the manufacturing method of a three-dimensional object, in the step of manufacturing a three-dimensional object with an advertisement, the advertisement is attached by at least one of forming a concave-convex shape and using a plurality of molding materials with different properties. Therefore, in the manufacturing method of a three-dimensional object, the user can select the method of displaying the advertisement.

[0071] The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a step of estimating the manufacturing cost of the three-dimensional object with an advertisement based on the received advertisement presence / absence information. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the user can determine whether or not to manufacture the three-dimensional object with an advertisement based on the estimated manufacturing cost.

[0072] The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a step of receiving advertising area designation information that indicates whether an advertisement should be placed in the first area 6 or in the second area 8, which has lower visibility than the first area 6, of the three-dimensional object, and in the step of estimating the modeling cost, if information indicating that an advertisement should be placed in the second area 8 is received as the advertising area designation information, the modeling cost is estimated to be higher than if information indicating that an advertisement should be placed in the first area 6 is received as the advertising area designation information. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, by selecting to place an advertisement in the first area 6, for example, it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional object with an advertisement at low cost.

[0073] In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the second region 8 is at least one of the bottom surface 2c, corners 2d, curved portions 2f of the three-dimensional object 2, and a region having an area smaller than that of the first region 6. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the second region 8 has lower visibility than the first region 6.

[0074] In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the advertisement for the three-dimensional object with the advertisement can be read by the device and viewed within the device, and when the advertisement for the three-dimensional object with the advertisement is read by the device, at least one of points and a coupon is issued. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the user can reuse the three-dimensional printing system 102 at low cost.

[0075] The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a step of receiving at least one of user information about a user who requests the creation of a three-dimensional object and object type information about the type of the three-dimensional object, and a step of selecting an advertisement to be attached to the three-dimensional object based on at least one of the user information and the object type information. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object can attach an advertisement related to the modeling data of the three-dimensional object sent by the user to the three-dimensional object.

[0076] The above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0077] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments, for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effects. The present invention also includes configurations that replace non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects or purposes as the configurations described in the embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations that add publicly known technology to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0078] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications.

[0079] One aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object includes: receiving advertisement presence / absence information specifying whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional model; generating, when information indicating that an advertisement is to be attached to the three-dimensional object is received as the advertisement presence / absence information, modeling data for modeling the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached, the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached; forming the three-dimensional object with the advertisement by stacking layers containing a modeling material based on the modeling data; Includes.

[0080] The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is user-friendly.

[0081] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, The method may further include a step of receiving advertisement prohibited area information regarding an area of ​​the three-dimensional structure where advertisements are prohibited.

[0082] According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, it is possible to ensure the advertising appeal of the advertisement.

[0083] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, In the step of forming a three-dimensional object with an advertisement, The advertisement may be attached by at least one of forming a concave-convex shape and using a plurality of molding materials with different properties.

[0084] According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the user can select the method for displaying the advertisement.

[0085] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, The method may include a step of estimating a manufacturing cost of the three-dimensional object with an advertisement based on the received advertisement presence / absence information.

[0086] According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the user can determine whether or not to manufacture a three-dimensional object with an advertisement based on the estimated manufacturing cost.

[0087] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, receiving advertisement area designation information indicating whether an advertisement is to be placed in a first area or a second area, the second area having lower visibility than the first area, in the three-dimensional structure; In the step of estimating the manufacturing cost, When the advertising area designation information is received indicating that an advertisement is to be placed in the second area, the molding cost may be estimated to be higher than when the advertising area designation information is received indicating that an advertisement is to be placed in the first area.

[0088] According to the method for producing a three-dimensional object, by selecting to attach an advertisement to the first region, for example, it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached thereto at low cost.

[0089] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, The second region may be at least one of a bottom surface, a corner, a curved portion, and a region having an area smaller than that of the first region of the three-dimensional structure.

[0090] According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, the second region has lower visibility than the first region.

[0091] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, the advertisement for the three-dimensional model with the advertisement can be read by a device and viewed within the device; The method may include issuing at least one of points and a coupon when the advertisement for the three-dimensional model with an advertisement is read by the device.

[0092] According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, a user can inexpensively reuse a three-dimensional printing system for carrying out the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

[0093] In one aspect of the method for producing a three-dimensional object, receiving at least one of user information relating to a user who requests the creation of the three-dimensional object and object type information relating to the type of the three-dimensional object; selecting an advertisement to be attached to the three-dimensional object based on at least one of the user information and the object type information; may include:

[0094] According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, an advertisement related to the modeling data of the three-dimensional object transmitted by the user can be attached to the three-dimensional object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 2...three-dimensional object, 2a...top surface, 2b...side surface, 2c...bottom surface, 2d...corner, 2e...edge, 2f...curved portion, 4...no-advertising area, 6...first area, 8...second area, 10...processing device, 20...data storage device, 22...database, 24...modeling object request list, 26...advertising list, 30...three-dimensional printing device, 31...material supply unit, 32...flat screw, 32a...spiral groove, 33...motor, 34...barrel, 34a...communicating hole, 35...heater, 36...nozzle, 36a...nozzle hole, 37...stage, 38...position change unit, 40...first input device, 50...second input device, 60...communication network, 100...electronic commerce system, 102...three-dimensional printing system

Claims

1. receiving advertisement presence / absence information specifying whether or not to attach an advertisement to the three-dimensional model; generating, when information indicating that an advertisement is to be attached to the three-dimensional object is received as the advertisement presence / absence information, modeling data for modeling the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached, the three-dimensional object with an advertisement attached; forming the three-dimensional object with the advertisement by stacking layers containing a modeling material based on the modeling data; A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising:

2. In claim 1, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising: receiving advertisement prohibited area information regarding an area of ​​the three-dimensional object where advertisements are prohibited.

3. In claim 1, In the step of forming a three-dimensional object with an advertisement, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, in which an advertisement is attached by at least one of forming a concave-convex shape and using a plurality of said modeling materials having different properties.

4. In claim 1, The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a step of estimating a manufacturing cost of the three-dimensional object with an advertisement based on the received advertisement presence / absence information.

5. In claim 4, receiving advertisement area designation information indicating whether an advertisement is to be placed in a first area or a second area, the second area having lower visibility than the first area, in the three-dimensional structure; In the step of estimating the manufacturing cost, In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, when information indicating that an advertisement is to be placed in the second area is received as the advertising area designation information, the modeling cost is estimated to be higher than when information indicating that an advertisement is to be placed in the first area is received as the advertising area designation information.

6. In claim 5, The second region is at least one of a bottom surface, a corner, a curved portion, and a region having an area smaller than that of the first region of the three-dimensional object.

7. In claim 1, the advertisement for the three-dimensional model with the advertisement can be read by a device and viewed within the device; The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a step of issuing at least one of points and a coupon when the advertisement for the three-dimensional object with the advertisement is read by the device.

8. In claim 1, receiving at least one of user information relating to a user who requests the creation of the three-dimensional object and object type information relating to the type of the three-dimensional object; selecting an advertisement to be attached to the three-dimensional object based on at least one of the user information and the object type information; A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising:

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