Method for producing three-dimensional molding and data generation method

Abstract

To provide a technique for efficiently test-molding a three-dimensional molding.SOLUTION: A method for producing a three-dimensional molding includes a first acquisition step of obtaining first shape data representing the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional molding and first molding data generated based on the first shape data for molding the three-dimensional molding; a first display step of displaying the three-dimensional molding on a display based on the first shape data; a determination step of determining a target region among the displayed three-dimensional molding on the display based on a specified region that defines a range in three-dimensional space; a second acquisition step of selecting the portion of the first molding data corresponding to the target region to obtain second molding data; and a molding step of performing three-dimensional molding by discharging molding material from a discharge unit toward a stage to laminate layers based on the second molding data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object and a data generation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a raft layer is formed on a stage, and then a 3D solid model is printed on the raft layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-71244 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When test printing a 3D object to check the actual printing state of a part of the 3D object, problems such as a longer printing time or a larger amount of printing material may occur because parts other than the part that needs to be checked are also printed. These problems are particularly noticeable when test printing a large-sized 3D object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the method comprising: a first acquiring step of acquiring first shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object and first modeling data generated based on the first shape data and for modeling the three-dimensional object, a first displaying step of displaying the three-dimensional object on a display unit based on the first shape data, a determining step of determining a target area of ​​the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit based on a designated area that specifies a range in three-dimensional space, a second acquiring step of selecting data of a portion of the first modeling data that corresponds to the target area and acquiring second modeling data, and a modeling step of performing three-dimensional modeling by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage based on the second modeling data.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a data generation method for generating modeling data for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage. The data generation method includes: acquiring first shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object; and second modeling data generated based on the first shape data and for modeling the three-dimensional object. The data generation method displays the three-dimensional object on a display unit based on the first shape data. The data generation method determines a target area of ​​the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit based on a specified area that specifies a range in three-dimensional space. The data generation method selects data of a portion of the first modeling data that corresponds to the target area and generates second modeling data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the underside of a flat screw. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the top side of the barrel. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating how the three-dimensional printing apparatus prints a model. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of a formation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a first object represented by first shape data. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which first shape data is read into slicer software. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of a determination step in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the determination step in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a third example of the determination step in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a first schematic diagram illustrating generation of modeling data. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a second schematic diagram illustrating generation of modeling data. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a determination process in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a determination process in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart of a formation process according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of a second shape obtaining step and a second display step. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart of a formation process according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of a third shape obtaining step and a second display step. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of a second acquisition step in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the second acquisition step in the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing system 10 according to a first embodiment. Arrows indicating mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are shown in FIG. 1. The X and Y directions are parallel to a horizontal plane, and the Z direction is a vertically upward direction. The arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown in other figures as appropriate so that the illustrated directions correspond to those in FIG. 1. In the following description, when specifying the direction, positive and negative signs are used in combination to indicate the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure, with "+" indicating the direction indicated by the arrow and "-" indicating the opposite direction. Hereinafter, the +Z direction will also be referred to as "up" and the -Z direction as "down."

[0009] The three-dimensional printing system 10 includes a three-dimensional printing device 100 and an information processing device 400. The three-dimensional printing device 100 of this embodiment is a device that prints a model by a material extrusion method. The three-dimensional printing device 100 includes a control unit 300 for controlling each unit of the three-dimensional printing device 100. The control unit 300 and the information processing device 400 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

[0010] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a modeling unit 110 that generates and dispenses a modeling material, a modeling stage 210 that serves as a base for the model, and a movement mechanism 230 that controls the dispense position of the modeling material.

[0011] Under the control of the control unit 300, the modeling unit 110 ejects a modeling material, which is a plasticized solid material, onto the stage 210. The modeling unit 110 includes a material supply unit 20, which is a supply source of raw materials before they are converted into the modeling material, a plasticization unit 30, which converts the raw materials into the modeling material, and a discharge unit 60, which discharges the modeling material.

[0012] The material supply unit 20 supplies the raw material MR to the plasticizing unit 30. The material supply unit 20 is configured, for example, by a hopper that stores the raw material MR. The material supply unit 20 is connected to the plasticizing unit 30 via a communication passage 22. The raw material MR is fed into the material supply unit 20 in the form of powder or pellets. As the raw material MR, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), or polyacetal resin (POM) is used.

[0013] The plasticizing unit 30 plasticizes the raw material MR supplied from the material supply unit 20 to generate a paste-like modeling material that exhibits fluidity, and then guides the material to the discharge unit 60. In this embodiment, "plasticization" is a concept that includes melting, and refers to changing a material from a solid to a fluid state. Specifically, for materials that undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. For materials that do not undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0014] The plasticizing section 30 includes a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a flat screw 40, and a barrel 50. The flat screw 40 is also called a rotor or a scroll. The barrel 50 is also called a screw facing portion.

[0015] The flat screw 40 is housed in a screw case 31. An upper surface 47 of the flat screw 40 is connected to the drive motor 32, and the flat screw 40 rotates in the screw case 31 by the rotational driving force generated by the drive motor 32. The drive motor 32 is driven under the control of the control unit 300. The flat screw 40 may be driven by the drive motor 32 via a reducer.

[0016] 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the lower surface 48 side of the flat screw 40. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the flat screw 40 shown in FIG. 2 is shown with the positional relationship between the upper surface 47 and the lower surface 48 shown in FIG. 1 reversed in the vertical direction. The flat screw 40 has a roughly cylindrical shape in which the length in the axial direction, which is the direction along its central axis, is shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The flat screw 40 is positioned so that the rotation axis RX, which is its rotation center, is parallel to the Z direction.

[0017] A spiral groove 42 is formed on a lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40, which is a surface that intersects with the rotation axis RX. The communication passage 22 of the material supply unit 20 described above communicates with the groove 42 from the side surface of the flat screw 40. In this embodiment, three grooves 42 are formed, separated by ridges 43. The number of grooves 42 is not limited to three, and may be one, or two or more. The groove 42 is not limited to a spiral shape, but may also be a spiral or involute curve shape, or may have a shape that extends in an arc from a center portion 46 to the outer periphery.

[0018] 1, the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 faces the upper surface 52 of the barrel 50, and a space is formed between the groove 42 of the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 and the upper surface 52 of the barrel 50. Raw material MR is supplied to this space between the flat screw 40 and the barrel 50 from the material supply section 20 through a material inlet 44 shown in FIG.

[0019] A barrel heater 58 is embedded in the barrel 50 to heat the raw material MR supplied into the groove 42 of the rotating flat screw 40. A communication hole 56 is provided in the center of the barrel 50.

[0020] 3 is a schematic plan view showing the top surface 52 of the barrel 50. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed on the top surface 52 of the barrel 50, and are connected to the communicating holes 56 and extend spirally from the communicating holes 56 toward the outer periphery. Note that one end of the guide grooves 54 does not have to be connected to the communicating holes 56. Also, the guide grooves 54 can be omitted.

[0021] The raw material MR supplied into the groove 42 of the flat screw 40 is plasticized in the groove 42, flows along the groove 42 due to the rotation of the flat screw 40, and is guided to the central portion 46 of the flat screw 40 as a modeling material. The pasty modeling material that has flowed into the central portion 46 and exhibits fluidity is supplied to the discharge portion 60 through a communication hole 56 provided in the center of the barrel 50. Note that it is not necessary for all types of substances constituting the modeling material to be plasticized. It is sufficient for the modeling material to be converted into a fluid state as a whole by plasticizing at least some of the types of substances constituting the modeling material.

[0022] The discharge unit 60 in FIG. 1 includes a nozzle 61 that discharges the modeling material, a flow path 65 for the modeling material provided between the flat screw 40 and the nozzle opening 62, and a discharge control unit 77 that controls the discharge of the modeling material.

[0023] The nozzle 61 is connected to the communication hole 56 of the barrel 50 through a flow path 65. The nozzle 61 discharges the modeling material produced in the plasticizing section 30 from a nozzle opening 62 at the tip thereof toward the stage 210.

[0024] The discharge control unit 77 includes a discharge adjustment unit 70 that opens and closes the flow path 65, and a suction unit 75 that sucks in the modeling material and temporarily stores it.

[0025] The discharge adjustment unit 70 is provided in the flow path 65 and changes the opening degree of the flow path 65 by rotating within the flow path 65. In this embodiment, the discharge adjustment unit 70 is configured by a valve. The discharge adjustment unit 70 is driven by a first drive unit 74 under the control of the control unit 300. The first drive unit 74 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor. The control unit 300 can adjust the flow rate of the modeling material flowing from the plasticizing unit 30 to the nozzle 61, i.e., the discharge amount of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61, by using the first drive unit 74 to control the rotation angle of the discharge adjustment unit 70. The discharge adjustment unit 70 can adjust the discharge amount of the modeling material and can also control the on / off of the outflow of the modeling material.

[0026] The suction unit 75 is connected between the discharge adjustment unit 70 and the nozzle opening 62 in the flow path 65. When the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 61 stops, the suction unit 75 temporarily sucks the modeling material in the flow path 65, thereby suppressing the tailing phenomenon in which the modeling material hangs like a string from the nozzle opening 62. In this embodiment, the suction unit 75 is configured with a plunger. The suction unit 75 is driven by a second drive unit 76 under the control of the control unit 300. The second drive unit 76 is configured with, for example, a stepping motor or a rack-and-pinion mechanism that converts the rotational force of the stepping motor into translational motion of the plunger.

[0027] The stage 210 is disposed at a position facing the nozzle opening 62 of the nozzle 61. In the first embodiment, the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210 facing the nozzle opening 62 of the nozzle 61 is disposed so as to be parallel to the X and Y directions, i.e., the horizontal direction. The stage 210 is provided with a stage heater 212 for preventing the modeling material discharged onto the stage 210 from cooling suddenly. The stage heater 212 is controlled by the control unit 300.

[0028] The movement mechanism 230 changes the relative position between the stage 210 and the nozzle 61 under the control of the control unit 300. In this embodiment, the position of the nozzle 61 is fixed, and the movement mechanism 230 moves the stage 210. The movement mechanism 230 is configured by a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 210 in three axial directions, that is, the X, Y, and Z directions, using the driving forces of three motors. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, movement of the nozzle 61 means moving the nozzle 61 and the discharge unit 60 relative to the stage 210.

[0029] In other embodiments, instead of a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210, a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210 while the position of the stage 210 is fixed may be employed. Alternatively, a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210 in the Z direction and moves the nozzle 61 in the X and Y directions, or a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210 in the X and Y directions and moves the nozzle 61 in the Z direction may be employed. Even with these configurations, the relative positional relationship between the nozzle 61 and the stage 210 can be changed.

[0030] 1 shows only one modeling unit 110, the 3D modeling device 100 may include multiple modeling units 110. By including multiple modeling units 110, different types of modeling materials can be discharged from each modeling unit 110. Therefore, for example, the main body of the modeled object and the support structure that supports the modeled object can be modeled using different types of modeling materials.

[0031] The control unit 300 is a control device that controls the overall operation of the 3D printing apparatus 100. The control unit 300 is configured by a computer that includes one or more processors 310, a storage device 320 including a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device, and an input / output interface that inputs and outputs signals to and from the outside. The processor 310 executes a program stored in the storage device 320 to control the printing unit 110 and the movement mechanism 230 in accordance with printing data acquired from the information processing device 400, and prints a printed object on the stage 210. Note that the control unit 300 may be realized by a combination of circuits instead of being configured by a computer.

[0032] 4 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows how the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 prints a model. In the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100, as described above, the raw material MR in a solid state is plasticized to produce the modeling material MM. The control unit 300 discharges the modeling material MM from the nozzle 61 while changing the position of the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210 in a direction along the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210, while maintaining the distance between the nozzle 61 and the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210. The modeling material MM discharged from the nozzle 61 is continuously deposited in the direction of movement of the nozzle 61.

[0033] The control unit 300 repeatedly moves the nozzle 61 to form layers ML. After forming one layer ML, the control unit 300 moves the position of the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210 in the Z direction, which is the stacking direction of the layers ML. Then, a model is formed by stacking additional layers ML on the layers ML that have been formed so far.

[0034] The control unit 300 may temporarily suspend the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 61, for example, when the nozzle 61 moves in the Z direction after completing one layer ML or when each layer has multiple independent modeling regions. In this case, the discharge adjustment unit 70 closes the flow path 65 to stop the discharge of the modeling material MM from the nozzle opening 62, and the suction unit 75 temporarily sucks the modeling material from the nozzle 61. After changing the position of the nozzle 61, the control unit 300 opens the flow path 65 with the discharge adjustment unit 70 while discharging the modeling material from the suction unit 75, thereby restarting the deposition of the modeling material MM from the new position of the nozzle 61.

[0035] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device 400. The information processing device 400 is configured as a computer in which a CPU 410, a memory 420, a storage device 430, a communication interface 440, and an input / output interface 450 are interconnected via a bus 460. An input device 470 such as a keyboard or a mouse, and a display unit 480 such as a liquid crystal display are connected to the input / output interface 450. The information processing device 400 is connected to the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 via the communication interface 440.

[0036] The CPU 410 functions as a data generation unit 411 by executing a program stored in the storage device 430. The data generation unit 411 generates modeling data that the 3D modeling device 100 uses to model a 3D object. The modeling data includes, for each layer obtained by slicing the shape of the model into multiple slices, path information that indicates the movement path of the nozzle 61 and discharge amount information that indicates the amount of modeling material discharged on each movement path.

[0037] 6 is a flowchart of a modeling process executed in the three-dimensional modeling system 10. The modeling process is a process for realizing the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the present disclosure and the data generation method according to the present disclosure. The processes of steps S10 to S50 shown in FIG. 6 are executed by the information processing device 400, and the process of step S60 is executed by the three-dimensional modeling device 100. The processes of steps S10 to S50 correspond to the processes for realizing the data generation method according to the present disclosure.

[0038] In step S10, the data generation unit 411 of the information processing device 400 acquires first shape data SD1. In step S10, the data generation unit 411 acquires the first shape data SD1, for example, from another computer, a recording medium, or the storage device 430. The first shape data SD1 is data representing the three-dimensional shape of a three-dimensional object. Hereinafter, a three-dimensional object having a three-dimensional shape represented by the first shape data SD1 will also be referred to as a first object OB1. The first shape data SD1 is created using three-dimensional CAD software, three-dimensional CG software, or the like. Data representing a three-dimensional shape, such as the first shape data SD1, is also collectively referred to as "shape data." As the shape data, for example, data in STL format or AMF format is used. In FIG. 6, the three-dimensional shape represented by the shape data is hatched with a dotted pattern.

[0039] In step S20, the data generation unit 411 acquires the first modeling data MD1. The first modeling data MD1 is modeling data for modeling the first object OB1. In step S10, the data generation unit 411 generates the first modeling data MD1 by analyzing the first shape data SD1 using, for example, slicer software, and acquires the first modeling data MD1. Note that in other embodiments, the data generation unit 411 may acquire the first modeling data MD1 from another computer or a recording medium. Steps S10 and S20 correspond to a first acquisition step in this disclosure.

[0040] In step S30, the data generation unit 411 displays the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object on the display unit 480 based on the first shape data SD1 acquired in step S10. Specifically, in step S30, the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 is displayed on the display unit 480. Step S30 corresponds to the first display step in this disclosure. Note that in step S30 in this embodiment, in addition to the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1, supplementary information, which will be described later, is also displayed on the display unit 480.

[0041] In step S40, the data generation unit 411 determines a target area MA of the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit 480 based on a designated area DA that specifies a range in three-dimensional space. More specifically, the target area MA is an area of ​​the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 represented by the first shape data SD1 that overlaps with the designated area DA. The designated area DA may include a spatial region where the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 does not exist, or may not include a spatial region. As shown in FIG. 6 , in the first embodiment, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA by receiving a designation of the range of the designated area DA from the user via the input device 470. The designated area DA is determined, for example, by the user inputting numerical coordinates representing the range of the designated area DA using a keyboard or by operating a mouse to drag and select the range of the designated area DA. The designated area DA may be determined as a continuous area that includes multiple separate areas selected by the user. Of the first object OB1, a target portion, which is a portion corresponding to the target area MA, is actually formed by the three-dimensional printing device 100. Hereinafter, of the first object OB1, a portion corresponding to a non-target area different from the target area MA will also be referred to as a "non-target portion." In this embodiment, the non-target portion is not formed by the three-dimensional printing device 100.

[0042] In step S50, the data generation unit 411 selects data of a portion of the first object MD1 that corresponds to the determined target area MA, generates second object MD2, and acquires the second object MD2. The second object MD2 is object MD2 used to create a second object OB2. The second object OB2 is a part of the first object OB1, and includes at least the target portion. In this embodiment, the second object OB2 corresponds to the target portion. Step S50 corresponds to the second acquisition step in this disclosure.

[0043] In step S60, the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 performs three-dimensional printing based on the second printing data MD2. Specifically, in step S60, first, the control unit 300 acquires the second printing data MD2 acquired by the data generation unit 411 in step S50. Next, the control unit 300 controls the discharging unit 60 and the moving mechanism 230 based on the acquired second printing data MD2 to discharge the printing material from the discharging unit 60 toward the stage 210 and stack layers, thereby printing a second printed object OB2 on the stage 210. Step S60 corresponds to the printing process in this disclosure.

[0044] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a first object OB1 represented by first shape data SD1. In FIG. 7, the three-dimensional shape of a first object OB1a represented by first shape data SD1a is shown as an example of the first object OB1.

[0045] The first object OB1a has a cylindrical shape that is bifurcated along the way. The first object OB1a has a main body portion BD, a first cylindrical portion CL1, a second cylindrical portion CL2, and a flange-shaped portion FL.

[0046] The main body portion BD has a hollow cylindrical shape as a whole. A flange-shaped portion FL is provided on the first end E1 side of the main body portion BD in the axial AX1 direction. The main body portion BD has a hemispherical portion HM on the second end E2 side in the axial AX1 direction. Hereinafter, the direction in the axial AX1 direction from the first end E1 side toward the second end E2 side will also be referred to as the first direction D1. The hemispherical portion HM has a hemispherical shape that is convex in the first direction D1. The end of the hemispherical portion HM on the first direction D1 side forms the second end E2. Hereinafter, the first object OB1a will be described assuming that the first direction D1 is oriented in the +Z direction, unless otherwise specified.

[0047] A first opening OP1 is formed at the first end E1. A second opening OP2 is formed at the second end E2. A third opening OP3 is formed in a curved portion of the hemispherical portion HM that is different from the second end E2. The first opening OP1, the second opening OP2, and the third opening OP3 each connect the hollow portion within the main body portion BD to the outside.

[0048] The first cylindrical portion CL1 has a hollow cylindrical shape along the axis AX1. The first cylindrical portion CL1 is thinner than the main body portion BD. The first cylindrical portion CL1 is arranged on the first direction D1 side of the main body portion BD so that the first hollow portion HL1 of the first cylindrical portion CL1 communicates with the second opening portion OP2. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion CL1 is arranged to protrude in the +Z direction from the end of the main body portion BD on the first direction D1 side. The second cylindrical portion CL2 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The second cylindrical portion CL2 is thinner than the main body portion BD. The second cylindrical portion CL2 is arranged so that the axis AX2 of the second cylindrical portion CL2 intersects with the axis AX1. The direction of the axis AX2 is inclined from the direction perpendicular to the axis AX1. The second cylindrical portion CL2 is arranged on the hemispherical portion HM so that the second hollow portion HL2 of the second cylindrical portion CL2 communicates with the third opening portion OP3. More specifically, the second cylindrical portion CL2 is provided so as to protrude in the +Z direction and the +X direction from the hemispherical portion HM of the main body portion BD.

[0049] The flange portion FL has a circular flange shape. The flange portion FL is arranged so that the thickness direction of the flange portion FL is along the first direction D1. The flange portion FL has a first through hole TH1, a second through hole TH2, and a third through hole TH3. The first through hole TH1, the second through hole TH2, and the third through hole TH3 each penetrate the flange portion FL in the thickness direction, i.e., in the first direction D1.

[0050] 7 shows the first object OB1a as well as a connecting member connected to the first object OB1a. Specifically, FIG. 7 shows a first piping member PP1, a second piping member PP2, a base member PM, a first fixing member FP1, and a second fixing member FP2 as connecting members. The first piping member PP1 has a first insertion portion IP1 that is inserted into and fitted with the first hollow portion HL1. The first insertion portion IP1 is cylindrical and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the first hollow portion HL1. The second piping member PP2 has a second insertion portion IP2 that is inserted into and fitted with the second hollow portion HL2. The second insertion portion IP2 is cylindrical and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the second hollow portion HL2. The base member PM has a rectangular plate shape.

[0051] The base member PM is disposed such that the thickness direction of the base member PM is aligned with the first direction D1. The base member PM has a pin portion PN, a first fixing hole FH1, and a second fixing hole FH2. The pin portion PN protrudes in the first direction D1 from the surface of the base member PM on the first direction D1 side. The pin portion PN has a solid cylindrical shape and an outer diameter slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the third through hole TH3. The pin portion PN is inserted into and fitted into the third through hole TH3. The first fixing hole FH1 and the second fixing hole FH2 are each provided on the surface of the base member PM on the first direction D1 side. The first fixing hole FH1 has approximately the same opening diameter as the first through hole TH1 and is located at a position corresponding to the first through hole TH1 in the XY directions. Similarly, the second fixing hole FH2 has approximately the same opening diameter as the second through hole TH2 and is located at a position corresponding to the second through hole TH2 in the XY directions. The first fixing member FP1 has a first shank AP1. The first shank AP1 is solid and cylindrical, with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the first through-hole TH1, and is inserted into and fitted with the first through-hole TH1 and the first fixing hole FH1. The second fixing member FP2 has a second shank AP2. The second shank AP2 is solid and cylindrical, with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the opening diameter of the second through-hole TH2, and is inserted into and fitted with the second through-hole TH2 and the second fixing hole FH2. By fitting the first fixing member FP1, the second fixing member FP2, and the pin portion PN in this manner, the flange-shaped portion FL is fixed to the base member PM.

[0052] The first shape data SD1 in this embodiment includes incidental information. The incidental information is information that is added to the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 in the first shape data SD1. The incidental information in this embodiment includes accuracy information and connectivity information. The accuracy information indicates the required accuracy for each portion of the first object OB1. A "portion of the first object OB1" in the incidental information is, for example, a portion configured by one or more voxels or one or more polygons. A "portion of the first object OB1" may be, for example, a portion grouped by shape or function of the first object OB1, such as the main body portion BD, the flange portion FL, the first through-hole TH1, or the second through-hole TH2. The connectivity information is information regarding the connection of each portion of the first object OB1 with other members.

[0053] In this embodiment, the data generation unit 411 is configured to be able to display the incidental information on the display unit 480. The incidental information may be displayed, for example, near a portion of the first object OB1 associated with the incidental information, or may be displayed as a list on the display unit 480. Furthermore, for example, when a portion of the first object OB1 associated with the incidental information is selected by the user, the incidental information may be displayed as a pop-up near the portion or in an arbitrary area on the display unit 480.

[0054] The accuracy information indicates, for example, dimensional accuracy and surface accuracy. FIG. 7 shows first dimensional information AC1, second dimensional information AC2, and third dimensional information AC3 as examples of accuracy information. The first dimensional information AC1 is associated with the first through hole TH1 and indicates the dimension and dimensional accuracy of the opening diameter of the first through hole TH1. The second dimensional information AC2 is associated with the second through hole TH2 and indicates the dimension and dimensional accuracy of the opening diameter of the second through hole TH2. The third dimensional information AC3 is associated with the third through hole TH3 and indicates the dimension and dimensional accuracy of the opening diameter of the third through hole TH3. As shown in FIG. 7, the dimensional accuracy indicated by the first dimensional information AC1 and the second dimensional information AC2 is ±0.1 mm. The dimensional accuracy indicated by the third dimensional information AC3 is ±0.05 mm. That is, in the first object OB1, the dimensional accuracy required for the opening diameter of the third through hole TH3 is higher than the dimensional accuracy required for the opening diameters of the first through hole TH1 and the second through hole TH2.

[0055] The connection information may be, for example, simply information indicating that some connecting member is connected to each portion of the first object OB1, or may be identification information of the connecting member connected to each portion of the first object OB1. Furthermore, the connection information may be information indicating the three-dimensional shape of the connecting member, information indicating the dimensions of the connecting member, or information indicating the precision of the connecting member. FIG. 7 shows examples of connection information, including first connection information CN1, second connection information CN2, and third connection information CN3. The first connection information CN1 is associated with the first cylindrical portion CL1 and represents information regarding the connection between the first cylindrical portion CL1 and the first piping member PP1. The second connection information CN2 is associated with the second cylindrical portion CL2 and represents information regarding the connection between the second cylindrical portion CL2 and the second piping member PP2. The third connection information CN3 is associated with the flange-shaped portion FL and represents information regarding the connection between the flange-shaped portion FL and the base member PM, the first fixing member FP1, and the second fixing member FP2. In this embodiment, the connection information is information indicating the three-dimensional shape of the connecting members. It can also be said that the three-dimensional shapes of the first piping member PP1, the second piping member PP2, the base member PM, the first fixing member FP1, and the second fixing member FP2 in FIG. 7 each represent a three-dimensional shape represented by the connection information.

[0056] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the first shape data SD1a is loaded into the slicer software. Fig. 8 shows a display screen SS displayed by the slicer software function on the display unit 480. When the first shape data SD1a is loaded into the slicer software, as shown in Fig. 8, the slicer software handles information representing the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1a, but does not handle any additional information.

[0057] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the determination step. The left side of Fig. 9 shows how a designated area DAa including areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 separated from one another is determined. Areas DA1 to DA3 are each cylindrical. Areas DA1 to DA3 have the same shape and size. Area DA1 includes a first through-hole TH1. Area DA2 includes a second through-hole TH2. Area DA3 includes a third through-hole TH3.

[0058] In this embodiment, the display unit 480 displays the shape of the first object OB1 along with the accompanying information, allowing the user to specify the designated area DA while appropriately checking the accompanying information on the display unit 480. For example, in the example of FIG. 9 , the user specifies one or more areas to include the first through hole TH1, the second through hole TH2, and the third through hole TH3, each of which has associated accuracy information. As a result, the above areas DA1 to DA3 are specified and a designated area DAa is determined. The right side of FIG. 9 also shows how a target area MAa, which includes mutually separated areas MA1, MA2, and MA3, is determined. Area MA1 is an area of ​​the first object OB1a that overlaps with area DA1. Area MA2 is an area of ​​the first object OB1a that overlaps with area DA2. Area MA3 is an area of ​​the first object OB1a that overlaps with area DA3. Hereinafter, multiple mutually separated areas in the target area MA, such as areas MA1 to MA3, will also be referred to as partial areas.

[0059] 9, in this embodiment, the data generation unit 411 displays the determined target area MA on the display unit 480. In other embodiments, the data generation unit 411 does not have to display the target area MA on the display unit 480.

[0060] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the determination step. The left side of FIG. 10 shows how the designated area DAb is determined. The designated area DAb is a rectangular parallelepiped area. The designated area DAb is determined, for example, as a result of designating one or more areas so as to include the second cylindrical portion CL2 associated with the second linkage information CN2. The right side of FIG. 10 shows how the target area MAb is determined. The target area MAb is an area of ​​the first object OB1a that overlaps with the designated area DAb.

[0061] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third example of the determination step. Note that for convenience of illustration, part of the first object OB1a, such as the main body portion BD, is omitted in FIG. 11. The left side of FIG. 11 shows how a designated area DAc is determined. The designated area DAc includes area DA4 in addition to areas DA1, DA2, and DA3. Area DA1 is a cylindrical area and has a bottom surface with a larger area than areas DA1 to DA3. Area DA4 includes the first opening OP1. The designated area DAc is determined, for example, as a result of specifying one or more areas so as to include the first through hole TH1, the second through hole TH2, and the third through hole TH3, and also so as to include the first opening OP1. The right side of FIG. 11 shows how a target area MAc including areas MA1, MA2, MA3, and MA4 is determined. Area MA4 is an area of ​​the first object OB1a that overlaps with area DA4.

[0062] 9 to 11, the number, shape, and size of the regions included in the designated region DA may be arbitrary. For example, the number of regions included in the designated region DA is not limited to one, three, or four, but may be two, or five or more. Furthermore, the shape of the regions included in the designated region DA may be arbitrary, such as various cylindrical shapes, various columnar shapes, various conical shapes, spherical shapes, hemispherical shapes, or shapes including various curved shapes and curved surface shapes. The number, shape, and size of the regions included in the designated region DA may be selectable by the user via the input device 470.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a first schematic diagram illustrating the generation of the modeling data. Fig. 13 is a second schematic diagram illustrating the generation of the modeling data. Figs. 12 and 13 show how second modeling data MD2 is generated for a doughnut-shaped first modeling object OB1.

[0064] First, the data generation unit 411 analyzes the first shape data SD1 representing the shape of the first object OB1, and generates first printing data MD1 for printing the entire first object OB1, as shown on the left side of FIG. 12. To generate the first printing data MD1, the data generation unit 411 generates printing paths for each of the outer shell region SA representing the outer shell of the first object OB1 and the infill region IA present inside the outer shell region SA, thereby generating the first printing data MD1. More specifically, the data generation unit 411 analyzes the first shape data SD1 acquired in step S10 and slices the first object OB1 into multiple layers along the XY plane. Then, the data generation unit 411 determines printing paths for each of the outer shell region SA for forming the contour of each layer and the infill region IA present inside the outer shell region SA. The printing paths are path information representing the movement path of the nozzle 61. The path information includes data representing multiple linear movement paths. Each movement path included in the path information includes discharge amount information indicating the amount of modeling material discharged along that movement path. The data generation unit 411 generates a modeling path by generating path information and discharge amount information for all layers constituting the first object OB1. The line width of the modeling path is determined based on the length of the movement path represented by that modeling path and the amount of modeling material discharged along that movement path. On the left side of FIG. 12, two modeling paths along the outline of the target area MA are shown as modeling paths for modeling the first object OB1. Furthermore, a modeling path with a concentric infill pattern and an infill rate of 100% is shown as a modeling path for modeling the infill area IA. A concentric infill pattern is a pattern in which the outline shape of the object gradually becomes smaller toward the center. The number of cycles of the modeling path for modeling the outer shell area SA, as well as the infill pattern and infill rate for modeling the infill area IA, may be set arbitrarily by the user.

[0065] Next, the data generation unit 411 generates second modeling data MD2 by selecting and extracting data of a portion corresponding to the target area MA from the first modeling data MD1, as shown on the right side of Fig. 12. In this embodiment, in the second acquisition process, a modeling path for enclosing the cross section CS along which the three-dimensional shape represented by the first modeling data MD1 is cut by the target area MA is not generated. In other words, in the second acquisition process, a new modeling path is not generated.

[0066] FIG. 13 shows how a travel path TP different from the modeling path is generated in the second modeling data MD2. In this embodiment, in the process of generating the second modeling data MD2, the data generation unit 411 converts the modeling path included in the first modeling data MD1 other than the portion corresponding to the target area MA into a travel path TP. The travel path TP is a path for moving the nozzle 61 from the discharge end position to the next discharge start position without discharging the modeling material. The data generation unit 411 converts the modeling path into a travel path TP by setting the discharge amount information of the modeling path for modeling the portion other than the portion corresponding to the target area MA to zero. Note that the data generation unit 411 may also construct a travel path that connects the modeling paths over the shortest distance.

[0067] Note that the second printing data MD2 may include support data. When the target portion includes an overhanging portion, the data generation unit 411 generates support data to support the target portion from below. An overhanging portion refers to a protruding portion of a three-dimensional object that is not supported below. In this embodiment, the term "overhanging portion" also includes a bridge portion. A bridge portion refers to a bridge-shaped portion of a three-dimensional object that is supported at both ends. The data generation unit 411 generates support data by identifying a spatial area below the overhanging portion and generating a printing path for that spatial area according to predetermined conditions.

[0068] 6, a portion of the first object OB1 that includes the target portion is formed as a second object OB2 based on the second formation data MD2 acquired as described above. In this embodiment, in step S60, the target portion is formed as the second object OB2.

[0069] According to the first embodiment described above, the target area MA of the first object OB1 displayed on the display unit 480 based on the first shape data SD1 is determined based on the designated area DA. Then, the second printing data MD2 is acquired by selecting data of a portion of the first printing data MD1 generated based on the first shape data SD1 that corresponds to the determined target area MA. Then, three-dimensional printing is performed based on the acquired second printing data MD2. This makes it possible to shorten the printing time during test printing and reduce the amount of printing material used. This effect is particularly noticeable when performing test printing of a large-sized three-dimensional object.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the auxiliary information included in the first shape data SD1 is displayed on the display unit 480. Therefore, the user can specify the designated area DA while visually checking the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 and the auxiliary information displayed on the display unit 480. As a result, the likelihood that the designated area DA and the target area MA will be appropriately determined is increased, and the likelihood that test printing will be performed more effectively is increased. In particular, in this embodiment, accuracy information is included in the auxiliary information, so it is possible to easily specify a designated area DA in which, for example, a portion of the first object OB1 requiring higher accuracy will be test printed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, connection information is included in the auxiliary information, so it is possible to easily specify a designated area DA in which, for example, a portion of the first object OB1 to which a connecting member is connected will be test printed. It is preferable that the portion of the first object OB1 to which the connecting member is connected is formed to have at least the accuracy and strength necessary to appropriately connect the connecting member. In this embodiment, by test printing the portion of the first object OB1 associated with the supplementary information, it is possible to efficiently search for printing conditions that enable more appropriate printing of a three-dimensional object including such a portion.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, data of a portion corresponding to the target area MA is selected from the first printing data MD1 for printing the entire first object OB1, and second printing data MD2 for printing a second object OB2 including the target portion is generated. Therefore, the second object OB2 can be printed using the same printing path as when printing the entire first object OB1. As a result, the printing accuracy of the target portion can be made closer to the printing accuracy when printing the entire first object OB1. Here, for example, unlike the present embodiment, in an embodiment in which data of a portion corresponding to the target area MA is selected from the first shape data SD1 and printing data is generated based on the selected data, i.e., a pre-selected shape, a printing path different from that of the first printing data MD1 is usually generated for the portion corresponding to the cross section CS shown in FIG. 12 . More specifically, in other embodiments, for example, in the first modeling data MD1, a modeling path is generated for modeling the infill area IA in a portion of the part corresponding to the cross section CS, whereas in the modeling data generated based on the selected shape, a modeling path is generated for modeling the outer shell area SA in the entire portion corresponding to the cross section CS. In contrast, in this embodiment, a modeling path for modeling the infill area IA can be generated in both the first modeling data MD1 and the second modeling data MD2 in a portion of the part corresponding to the cross section CS.

[0072] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the data generating unit 411 accepts the designation of the designated area DA from the user, so the user can designate the designated area DA to be any range.

[0073] B. Second embodiment: 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the determination process in the second embodiment. The configuration of the 3D printing system 10 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the 3D printing system 10 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, in step S50 of the printing process shown in FIG. 6, the designated area DA is automatically determined by the data generation unit 411 based on accuracy information. Since the processing contents of steps S10 to S40 and step S60 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the processing contents of step S50 will be mainly described below.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first shape data SD1a includes additional information, including accuracy information and linkage information, similar to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows third dimensional information AC3, fourth dimensional information AC4, and fifth dimensional information AC5 as examples of accuracy information. The third dimensional information AC3 is similar to that in the first embodiment. The fourth dimensional information AC4 is associated with the first through hole TH1 and represents the opening diameter and dimensional accuracy of the first through hole TH1. The fifth dimensional information AC5 is associated with the second through hole TH2 and represents the opening diameter and dimensional accuracy of the second through hole TH2. As shown in FIG. 14, the dimensional accuracies represented by the third dimensional information AC3, fourth dimensional information AC4, and fifth dimensional information AC5 are ±0.3 mm, ±0.1 mm, and ±0.05 mm, respectively.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, in step S50 of FIG. 6, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA based on the accuracy information so that the designated area DA includes a portion of the first object OB1 for which the required accuracy is equal to or greater than a predetermined accuracy threshold. In this embodiment, the accuracy threshold is 0.2. Therefore, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DAd by determining, based on the accuracy information, one or more areas that include the second through hole TH2 and the third through hole TH3 for which the required accuracy is equal to or greater than the accuracy threshold. The left side of FIG. 14 shows how the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DAd including the areas DA3 and DA5 that are separated from each other based on the accuracy information.

[0076] 14 shows how a target region MAd is determined, including regions MA3 and MA5 that are separated from each other. As in the first embodiment, region MA3 is a region of the first object OB1a that overlaps with region DA3. Region MA5 is a region of the first object OB1 that overlaps with region DA5.

[0077] The number, shape, and size of the regions included in the designated region DA in the second embodiment may be arbitrary, as in the first embodiment. However, the shape of the designated region DA in the second embodiment is preferably determined according to the shape of the portion associated with the associated information on which the designated region DA is based. Specifically, if the shape of the portion associated with the associated information on which the designated region DA is based is three-dimensional, the shape of the designated region DA is preferably an enlarged version of that three-dimensional shape. Furthermore, if the shape of the portion associated with the associated information on which the designated region DA is based is planar, the shape of the designated region DA is preferably an enlarged version of the three-dimensional shape corresponding to that planar shape. For example, since the shape of the second through hole TH2 associated with the fifth dimensional information AC5 is a cylindrical shape extending along the first direction D1, the shape of the designated region DA specified based on the fifth dimensional information AC5 is preferably an enlarged version of the cylindrical shape of the second through hole TH2 in at least one of the bottom direction and the height direction. 14, for example, when the designated area DA is designated based on the accuracy information associated with the first opening OP1, the shape of the designated area DA is preferably a cylindrical shape obtained by extending the circular shape of the first opening OP1 in the height direction, and then expanding the cylindrical shape in at least one of the base direction and the height direction. This increases the likelihood that the designated area DA will be appropriately determined, compared to, for example, a form in which the shape of the designated area DA is determined independently of the shape of the portion associated with the underlying supplementary information. More specifically, for example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary areas from being included in the designated area DA.

[0078] According to the second embodiment described above, in the determination step, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA based on the incidental information included in the first shape data SD1. As a result, the target area MA can be determined taking the incidental information into consideration, making it possible to perform test printing more effectively.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA based on the accuracy information so as to include a part whose required accuracy is equal to or higher than the accuracy threshold. Therefore, the actual printing state of a part whose required accuracy is higher can be confirmed by test printing.

[0080] C. Third embodiment: 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the determination process in the third embodiment. The configuration of the 3D printing system 10 in the third embodiment is the same as that of the 3D printing system 10 in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, in step S50 of the printing process shown in FIG. 6, the designated area DA is automatically determined by the data generation unit 411 based on the stress information included in the supplementary information. Since the processing contents of steps S10 to S40 and step S60 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the processing contents of step S50 will be mainly described below.

[0081] In this embodiment, the incidental information included in the first shape data SD1a includes stress information instead of the accuracy information described in the first and second embodiments. The stress information represents stress for each portion of the first object OB1. In this embodiment, the stress information is associated with each portion of the first object OB1, more specifically, with each voxel, based on simulation results. The simulation here refers to a stress simulation that simulates the generation of stress in the first object OB1, such as simulating stress that occurs in each portion of the first object OB1 when another member is brought into contact with or connected to the first object OB1, or simulating stress that occurs in each portion of the first object OB1 when a fluid is flowed through the first object OB1.

[0082] On the left side of Fig. 15, hatching is applied to areas of the first object OB1a where a predetermined or greater stress has occurred in the stress simulation. More specifically, different hatching is applied to areas where the first stress ST1 has occurred, areas where the second stress ST2 has occurred, and areas where the third stress ST3 has occurred. The second stress ST2 is greater than the first stress ST1, and the third stress ST3 is greater than the second stress ST2.

[0083] In this embodiment, in step S50 of FIG. 6, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA based on the stress information so that the designated area DA includes a portion of the first object OB1 where the stress is equal to or greater than a predetermined stress threshold. The stress threshold in this embodiment is the second stress ST2. The left side of FIG. 15 illustrates how a rectangular parallelepiped designated area DAe is determined so as to include a region where the second stress ST2 occurs and a region where the third stress ST3 occurs. Note that the number, shape, and size of the regions included in the designated area DA in the third embodiment may be arbitrary, as in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the designated area DA may include, for example, only regions where the stress is equal to or greater than the stress threshold. The right side of FIG. 15 illustrates how a target area MAe is determined. The target area MAe is a region of the first object OB1a that overlaps with the designated area DAe.

[0084] As in the second embodiment, the third embodiment described above also allows for determining the target area MA by taking incidental information into account, thereby enabling more effective test printing. In particular, in this embodiment, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA based on stress information so as to include a region where stress is equal to or greater than a stress threshold. Therefore, test printing can be used to confirm the actual printing state of a region where higher stress is expected to occur. It is preferable, for example, to print a region of the first object OB1 where higher stress is expected to occur with a strength sufficient to withstand that stress. In this embodiment, test printing can be used to efficiently explore printing conditions that enable more appropriate printing of a three-dimensional object including such a region. Note that, in other embodiments, the manner in which the designated area DA is determined based on stress information is not limited to the above. For example, the designated area DA may be determined so as to include a region where stress is equal to or less than a stress threshold.

[0085] In another embodiment, the first shape data SD1 may include temperature information as additional information. The temperature information represents the amount of temperature change for each portion of the first object OB1. Similar to stress information, the temperature information is associated with each portion of the first object OB1 based on simulation results. The simulation here refers to a temperature change simulation that simulates temperature changes in the first object OB1, such as simulating temperature changes that occur in the first object OB1 when a high-temperature or low-temperature heat source is brought close to or into contact with the first object OB1, or simulating temperature changes that occur in the first object OB1 when a fluid is flowed through the first object OB1. If the first shape data SD1 includes temperature information, in the determining step, the data generation unit 411 may determine the designated area DA so as to include portions of the first object OB1 where the amount of temperature change is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature threshold. More specifically, in this case, the data generation unit 411 determines the designated area DA so as to include, for example, a portion of the first object OB1 that becomes hotter when heated or a portion that becomes colder when cooled. This allows the target area MA to be determined taking into account additional information, as in the second and third embodiments, thereby enabling more effective test printing. In particular, test printing allows the actual printing state of a portion where a larger temperature change is expected to occur to be confirmed. A portion of the first object OB1 where a larger temperature change is expected is more likely to change in shape or characteristics due to the temperature change than a portion where a smaller temperature change is expected. In this embodiment, test printing allows efficient exploration of printing conditions that enable more appropriate printing of a three-dimensional object including such a portion. However, this is not limited to this, and the designated area DA may be determined so as to include, for example, a portion where a temperature change is equal to or less than a temperature threshold. Furthermore, the manner in which the determination process is performed based on temperature information is substantially similar to the stress simulation in FIG. 15 , where the stress simulation is replaced with a temperature simulation, and therefore is not illustrated.

[0086] In other embodiments, the first shape data SD1 may include flow velocity information as the incidental information. The flow velocity information represents the flow velocity of each portion of the first object OB1 when a fluid is flowed through the first object OB1. The flow velocity information, like stress information and temperature information, is associated with each portion of the first object OB1 based on simulation results. The simulation here refers to a fluid simulation that simulates the flow of a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, within the first object OB1. If the first shape data SD1 includes flow velocity information, in the determination step, the data generation unit 411 may determine the designated area DA so as to include a portion of the first object OB1 where the flow velocity is equal to or greater than a predetermined flow velocity threshold. This allows the target area MA to be determined taking into account the incidental information, as in the second and third embodiments, thereby enabling more effective test printing. In particular, test printing allows the actual printing state of portions where a higher flow velocity is expected to occur to be confirmed. In the first object OB1, portions where the flow velocity is higher are more likely to experience a larger load due to the fluid flow than portions where the flow velocity is lower. In this embodiment, test printing can be used to efficiently search for printing conditions that enable more appropriate printing of a three-dimensional object including such portions. Note that the manner in which the determination step is executed in this case is substantially the same as in FIG. 15, where the stress simulation is replaced with a fluid simulation, and therefore is not shown in the figure.

[0087] Furthermore, without being limited to the above, for example, the designated area DA may be designated so as to include a portion of the first object OB1 where the flow velocity is equal to or less than the flow velocity threshold. In portions of the first object OB1 where the flow velocity is slower, the flow of fluid is likely to be stagnant due to, for example, the surface accuracy or dimensional accuracy of those portions. Therefore, by determining the designated area DA so as to include portions where the flow velocity is equal to or less than the flow velocity threshold, it is possible to efficiently explore, through test printing, printing conditions that enable more appropriate printing of a three-dimensional object including such portions.

[0088] D. Fourth embodiment: FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the modeling process in the fourth embodiment. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling system 10 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling system 10 in the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the modeling process in the fourth embodiment includes a second shape acquisition process and a second display process. Note that in FIG. 16, steps that are the same as those in FIG. 6 are assigned the same step numbers. Points of the modeling process that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0089] In step S45, the data generation unit 411 acquires second shape data from the first shape data SD1. The second shape data is data that represents the shape of each partial region in the first shape data SD1 and the shape of the connecting region that connects the partial regions. The three-dimensional shape represented by the second shape data is part of the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 represented by the first shape data SD1. The process of acquiring second shape data, such as in step S45, is also referred to as a second shape acquisition process.

[0090] In step S47, the data generation unit 411 executes a second display process. The second display process is a process of displaying the target portion and the non-target portion of the first object OB1 on the display unit 480. In the second display process, the data generation unit 411 simplifies the non-target portion compared to the target portion and displays it on the display unit 480. Note that in the present embodiment, in the second display process, the non-target portion and the target portion are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 480 for at least part of the time. Here, simplification means performing at least one of omitting a part of the three-dimensional shape to be displayed and reducing the number of pixels of the three-dimensional shape to be displayed. Therefore, in the second display process, the non-target portion is displayed on the display unit 480 with a larger portion omitted or with a smaller number of pixels than the target portion. For example, in the second display process, the target portion is displayed without omitting its shape or reducing the number of pixels, and the non-target portion is displayed with omitting its shape or reducing the number of pixels. In the second display step, the data generating unit 411 may, for example, display information indicating whether the three-dimensional shape displayed on the display unit 480 is a target portion or a non-target portion on the display unit 480. Note that the partial region above corresponds to the target portion, and the connected region above corresponds to the non-target portion.

[0091] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the second shape acquisition step and the second display step in the fourth embodiment. The left side of FIG. 17 shows a target area MAa as an example of the target area MA determined in the determination step. In this embodiment, the designated area DAa on which the target area MAa is based may be, for example, designated by the user or automatically determined by the data generation unit 411 based on additional information. The right side of FIG. 17 shows second shape data SD2a acquired based on the target area MAa as an example of second shape data. The second shape data SD2a represents the shapes of the partial areas MA1, MA2, and MA3 and the shape of the connection area CP1 connecting the partial areas. The connection area CP1 includes a connection area CP1a, a connection area CP1b, and a connection area CP1b. The connection area CP1a linearly connects the areas MA1 and MA2. The connection area CP1b linearly connects the areas MA2 and MA3. The connection region CP1c is a region that linearly connects the region MA1 and the region MA3.

[0092] Also, the right side of Fig. 17 can be said to show an example of how the target portion and the non-target portion are displayed in the second display step. More specifically, on the right side of Fig. 17, the shapes of the regions MA1, MA2, and MA3, which are partial regions corresponding to the target portion, are displayed on the display unit 480 without being simplified. On the other hand, on the right side of Fig. 17, only the shapes of the connection regions CP1a to CP1c of the non-target portion are displayed. In other words, the non-target portion is displayed in a simplified manner.

[0093] 16, the data generation unit 411 selects data of a portion of the first modeling data MD1 that corresponds to the second shape data, and acquires second modeling data MD2. As a result, in the modeling process of step S60 in this embodiment, a second modeling object OB2 having a shape that corresponds to each partial region and the connection region is modeled on the stage 210 based on the second modeling data MD2.

[0094] According to the fourth embodiment described above, in the second display step, the non-target portion is displayed on the display unit 480 in a simplified form compared to the target portion. Therefore, while mainly displaying the target portion on the display unit 480, the positional relationship between the target portion and the non-target portion in the first object OB1 can be shown on the display unit 480. As a result, the user can, for example, prior to the modeling step, check the shape of the target portion and the positional relationship between the target portion and the non-target portion with good visibility on the display unit 480. Furthermore, for example, the processing load on the information processing device 400 can be reduced compared to when the non-target portion is displayed on the display unit 480 without being simplified.

[0095] In this embodiment, the second shape acquisition process acquires second shape data representing the shape of each partial region and the shape of the connecting region connecting the partial regions. Then, in the second acquisition process, data of a portion of the first printing data MD1 that corresponds to the second shape data is selected to acquire second printing data MD2. Therefore, even if the target region MA includes multiple mutually separated partial regions, a three-dimensional object in which the partial regions are appropriately connected can be printed in test printing. This improves user convenience, for example, in terms of managing and transporting the three-dimensional object printed by test printing. Note that in other embodiments, only one of selecting data of a portion that corresponds to the second shape data to acquire second printing data MD2 and simplifying and displaying the non-target region in comparison with the target region may be performed.

[0096] E. Fifth embodiment: FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the modeling process in the fifth embodiment. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling system 10 in the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling system 10 in the first embodiment. Unlike the fourth embodiment, the modeling process in the fifth embodiment includes a third shape acquisition process instead of the second shape acquisition process. Note that in FIG. 18, steps that are the same as those in FIG. 16 are assigned the same step numbers. Points of the modeling process that are not particularly described are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

[0097] In step S43, the data generation unit 411 acquires third shape data from the first shape data SD1. The third shape data is data representing the shape of the target area MA and the shape of the extraction area in the first shape data SD1. The extraction area is an area extracted to maintain the height of the target area MA in the second modeling data MD2 in the stacking direction at the same height as the height of the target area MA in the first modeling data MD1 in the stacking direction. The three-dimensional shape represented by the third shape data is a part of the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1. The process of acquiring third shape data, as in step S43, is also referred to as a third shape acquisition process. The extraction area corresponds to the non-target portion.

[0098] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the third shape acquisition step and the second display step in the fifth embodiment. On the left side of FIG. 19, a target region MAf determined based on the designated region DAf is shown as an example of the target region MA. The designated region DAf may be, for example, designated by a user or automatically determined by the data generation unit 411 based on supplementary information. The designated region DAf includes the second cylindrical portion CL2. The target region MAf includes only the second cylindrical portion CL2 of the first object OB1a. The target region MAf is located closer to the first end E1 of the first object OB1 in the first direction D1. When the first object OB1a is modeled in accordance with the first modeling data MD1 for modeling the first object OB1a, with the stacking direction set to the first direction D1, the target portion corresponding to the target region MAf will be modeled at a position away from the first end E1 in the first direction D1, i.e., at a position higher than the top surface of the stage 210. On the other hand, when the target portion corresponding to the target area MAf is modeled with the stacking direction as the first direction D1 according to the second modeling data MD2 obtained by selecting data of only the portion corresponding to the target area MAf from the first modeling data MD1, the target portion is modeled directly above the top surface of the stage 210, i.e., at the same position as the stage 210 in the first direction D1.

[0099] The right side of FIG. 19 shows third shape data SD3a acquired based on the target area MAf as an example of the third shape data. The third shape data SD3a represents the shape of the target area MAf and the shape of the extraction area EA. The extraction area EA is an area connecting the first end E1 and the target area MAf. It can also be said that the right side of FIG. 19 shows an example of how the target portion and the non-target portion are displayed in the second display process. More specifically, on the right side of FIG. 19, the shape of the target area MAf, which corresponds to the target portion, is displayed on the display unit 480 without being simplified. On the other hand, on the right side of FIG. 19, only the shape of the extraction area EA is displayed among the non-target portions. In other words, the non-target portion is displayed in a simplified form.

[0100] 18, the data generation unit 411 selects data of a portion of the first modeling data MD1 that corresponds to the third shape data, and acquires second modeling data MD2. As a result, in the modeling process of step S60 in this embodiment, a second modeling object OB2 having a shape that corresponds to the target area MA and the extracted area is modeled on the stage 210 based on the second modeling data MD2.

[0101] According to the fifth embodiment described above, it is also possible to mainly display the target portion on the display unit 480, while showing the positional relationship between the target portion and the non-target portion in the first object OB1 on the display unit 480.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, third shape data representing the shape of the target area MA and the shape of the extraction area is acquired in the third shape acquisition process. Then, second modeling data MD2 is acquired by selecting data of a portion of the first modeling data MD1 that corresponds to the third shape data. Therefore, the height of the target area MA in the stacking direction in the second modeling data MD2 can be maintained at the same height as the height of the target area MA in the stacking direction in the first modeling data MD1. Here, the distance of the target area MA from the stage 210 or the modeling unit 110 during modeling may change depending on the height of the target area MA in the stacking direction. As a result, the amount of heat reaching the target area MA from the barrel heater 58 or the stage heater 212 changes depending on the height of the target area MA in the stacking direction. Therefore, if the height of the target area MA in the second modeling data MD2 in the stacking direction differs from the height of the target area MA in the first modeling data MD1 in the stacking direction, the shape and characteristics of the target portion may differ between the second object OB2 and the first object OB1. In this embodiment, it is possible to suppress such differences in the shape and characteristics of the target portion resulting from differences in the height of the target area MA in the stacking direction.

[0103] In other embodiments, the modeling process may include both the second shape acquisition step and the third shape acquisition step. Alternatively, for example, only one of selecting data of a portion corresponding to the third shape data to acquire second modeling data MD2 and comparing the non-target portion with the target portion and displaying the simplified data may be performed.

[0104] F. Sixth embodiment: FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the second acquisition process in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the second acquisition process in the sixth embodiment. The configuration of the 3D printing system 10 in the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the 3D printing system 10 in the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, direction information is acquired in the second acquisition process of step S50 of the printing process shown in FIG. 6, and the arrangement direction of the target area MA in the second printing data MD2 is determined based on the acquired direction information. In this embodiment, the processing contents of steps S10 to S40 and step S60 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the processing contents of step S50 will be mainly described below.

[0105] The directional information represents the direction of the three-dimensional shape included in the target region MA. In this embodiment, the directional information represents any one of the planar direction of a flat portion included in the target region MA, the axial direction of a shaft portion included in the target region MA, and the longitudinal direction of a long portion included in the target region MA. The shaft portion is a variety of shaft-shaped portions in the target region MA, such as a rod-shaped portion, a column-shaped portion, or a cylindrical portion. The flat portion does not have to be configured as a uniform plane. For example, it may be a plane with grooves or recesses formed on its surface, or a plane with protrusions or projections formed on its surface. The long portion is a portion whose length in one of three orthogonal directions is longer than its length in the other two directions. In the second acquisition step, the data generation unit 411 may, for example, acquire directional information previously associated with each portion of the first object OB1 in the first shape data SD1. Alternatively, the data generation unit 411 may acquire the directional information by, for example, analyzing the three-dimensional shape of each portion of the first object OB1 in the first shape data SD1.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the second acquisition step, the data generation unit 411 determines the arrangement direction in the second modeling data MD2 so that the direction represented by the acquired direction information is parallel to or perpendicular to the surface direction of the stage 210. Determining the arrangement direction of the target region MA in the second modeling data MD2 is synonymous with determining the slice direction in which the target region MA is sliced ​​into layers in the second modeling data MD2. Hereinafter, the "arrangement direction of the target region MA in the second modeling data MD2" will also be simply referred to as the "arrangement direction in the second modeling data MD2" or "arrangement direction." The surface direction of the stage 210 will also be referred to as the "stage surface direction."

[0107] 20, as an example of the target area MA, a target area MAf similar to that in the fifth embodiment is shown. Also, in the example of Fig. 20, as directional information of the target area MAf, directional information DR1 representing the surface direction of the bottom surface BT2 of the second cylindrical portion CL2 and directional information DR2 representing the direction of the axis AX2 of the second cylindrical portion CL2 are acquired. The bottom surface BT2 is the bottom surface of the second cylindrical portion CL2 opposite to the main body portion BD.

[0108] The lower part of Fig. 20 shows how multiple pieces of second formation data MD2a, MD2b, and MD2c, each with a different placement direction set based on at least one of the above-mentioned direction information, are acquired. In Figs. 20 and 21, the stage surface direction is the XY direction. In the lower parts of Figs. 20 and 21, the target area MA is placed so that the first direction D1 faces a direction different from the +Z direction. In the lower part of Fig. 20, the shape of the pedestal member PM is schematically shown by a dashed line to facilitate understanding of the technique.

[0109] The arrangement directions in the second forming data MD2a and MD2b are determined so that they are parallel to the stage surface direction and the surface direction of the bottom surface BT2 represented by the direction information DR1, or so that the stage surface direction is perpendicular to the direction of the axis AX2 represented by the direction information DR2. Among these, the arrangement direction in the second forming data MD2a is determined so that the bottom surface BT2 faces the -Z direction. Moreover, the arrangement direction in the second forming data MD2b is determined so that the bottom surface BT2 faces the +Z direction. As a result, the stacking direction in the second forming data MD2a and MD2b is determined to be along the first direction D1. The arrangement direction in the second forming data MD2c is determined so that the stage surface direction is parallel to the direction represented by the direction information DR2, or so that the stage surface direction is perpendicular to the direction represented by the direction information DR1. As a result, the stacking direction in the second forming data MD2c is determined to be along the surface direction of the bottom surface BT1.

[0110] In the example of FIG. 21, a target region MAg determined based on a designated region DAg is shown as an example of the target region MA. The designated region DAg includes regions DA6 and DA7 that are separated from each other. Note that the designated region DAg may be, for example, designated by a user or may be automatically determined by the data generation unit 411 based on supplementary information. The target region MAg also includes regions MA6 and MA7 that are separated from each other as partial regions. Region DA6 includes the first cylindrical portion CL1. Region MA6 is a region of the first object OB1a that overlaps with region DA6 and includes only the first cylindrical portion CL1 of the first object OB1a. Region DA7 is a region similar to the designated region DAf and includes the second cylindrical portion CL2. Region MA7 is a region similar to the target region MAf and includes only the second cylindrical portion CL2 of the first object OB1a. In the example of FIG. 21, in addition to the direction information DR1 and the direction information DR2, direction information DR3, DR4, and DR5 are also acquired as direction information for the target region MAg. The direction information DR3 represents the surface direction of the bottom surface BT1 of the first tube portion CL1. The bottom surface BT1 is the bottom surface of the first tube portion CL1 on the first direction D1 side. The direction information DR4 represents the axial direction of the first tube portion CL1. The direction information DR5 represents the direction of the intermediate axis AX3, which bisects the angle between the first tube portion CL1 and the second tube portion CL2. Specifically, the intermediate axis AX3 bisects the smaller angle between the axis AX1 of the first tube portion CL1 and the axis AX2 of the second tube portion CL2. The direction along the intermediate axis AX3, which extends from the main body portion BD toward the bottom surfaces BT1 and BT2, is also referred to as the first axial direction DX1.

[0111] The lower part of FIG. 21 shows how multiple pieces of second modeling data MD2d, MD2e, MD2f, and MD2g, each with a different stacking direction set based on the above-mentioned direction information, are acquired. The second modeling data MD2d to MD2g are acquired by selecting, from the first modeling data MD1 for modeling the first object OB1a, data corresponding to the second shape data representing the shapes of the partial regions MA6 and MA7 and the shape of the connection region CP2 connecting the regions MA6 and MA7. The arrangement direction in the second modeling data MD2d is determined so that the direction represented by the direction information DR1 is parallel to the stage surface direction, or so that the direction represented by the direction information DR2 is perpendicular to the stage surface direction. More specifically, the arrangement direction in the second modeling data MD2d is determined so that the bottom surface BT2 faces the -Z direction. The arrangement direction in the second modeling data MD2e is determined so that the stage surface direction is perpendicular to the direction of the intermediate axis AX3 represented by the direction information DR5. More specifically, the arrangement orientation in the second formation data MD2e is determined so that the first axis direction DX1 faces the -Z direction. The arrangement orientation in the second formation data MD2f is determined so that the stage surface direction and the surface direction of the bottom surface BT1 represented by the direction information DR3 are parallel, or so that the stage surface direction and the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion CL1 represented by the direction information DR4 are perpendicular. More specifically, the arrangement orientation in the second formation data MD2f is determined so that the bottom surface BT1 faces the -Z direction. The arrangement orientation in the second formation data MD2g is determined so that the stage surface direction and the direction represented by the direction information DR2 and the direction represented by the direction information DR4 are parallel, or so that the stage surface direction is perpendicular to the direction represented by the direction information DR1 and the direction represented by the direction information DR3.

[0112] Note that in other embodiments, for example, prior to the modeling process, the target area MA rotated based on the direction information of the target area MA may be displayed on the display unit 480, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 20 or the lower part of Fig. 21. Such display may be performed, for example, before the second modeling data MD2 is acquired, or after the second modeling data MD2 is acquired.

[0113] According to the sixth embodiment described above, in the second acquisition step, direction information is acquired, and the stacking direction in the second shaping data MD2 is determined based on the acquired direction information, which makes it possible to easily determine the arrangement direction of the target area MA in the second shaping data MD2.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the second acquisition step, the arrangement direction of the target region MA in the second formation data MD2 is determined so that the direction represented by the direction information is parallel to the stage surface direction. The direction information represents any one of the surface direction of the flat portion included in the target region MA, the axial direction of the stem portion included in the target region MA, or the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion included in the target region MA. This embodiment enables the second object OB2 to be formed in a posture that is highly likely to enable appropriate formation of the target portion. For example, when the surface direction of the flat portion included in the target region MA is parallel to the stage surface direction, it is more likely that the flat portion can be formed with higher surface precision than when the directions intersect. Furthermore, when the axial direction of the stem portion included in the target region MA is parallel to the stage surface direction, it is more likely that the outer and inner surfaces of the stem portion can be formed smoothly in the axial direction than when the directions intersect. Furthermore, when the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion included in the target region MA is parallel to the stage surface direction, it is more likely that the elongated portion can be formed more efficiently.

[0115] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple pieces of second printing data MD2 are acquired, each with a different arrangement direction determined based on one or more pieces of direction information for the target area MA. This makes it possible to efficiently search for an arrangement direction that allows the target portion to be more appropriately printed. As a result, for example, the arrangement direction that allows the target portion to be more appropriately printed, found as a result of the search for an arrangement direction, can be adopted as the orientation of the first object OB1 when the entire first object OB1 is printed in accordance with the first printing data MD1.

[0116] G. Other Embodiments: (G1) In each of the above embodiments, it is preferable that the incidental information includes at least one of accuracy information, stress information, temperature information, and flow rate information. This allows, for example, the accuracy information, stress information, temperature information, and flow rate information to be displayed on the display unit 480 along with the three-dimensional shape of the first object OB1 based on the first shape data SD1. The user can specify the designated area DA while visually checking the three-dimensional shape and various incidental information displayed on the display unit 480. Alternatively, the data generation unit 411 can determine the designated area DA and the target area MA by taking into account the accuracy information, stress information, temperature information, and flow rate information included in the first shape data SD1. This enables more effective test printing. However, the incidental information does not necessarily have to include accuracy information, stress information, temperature information, and flow rate information, and may include only information other than these. For example, the incidental information may include only connectivity information. Furthermore, the first shape data SD1 does not necessarily have to include incidental information.

[0117] (G2) In each of the above embodiments, a shaping path for surrounding the cutting surface CS is not generated in the second acquisition process. In contrast, a shaping path for surrounding at least a part of the cutting surface CS may be generated in the second acquisition process. In other words, a new shaping path may be generated in the second acquisition process.

[0118] (G3) In each of the above embodiments, for example, the control unit 300 may have the functions of the information processing device 400. In this case, the information processing device 400 does not have to be provided separately from the control unit 300.

[0119] (G4) In each of the above embodiments, the molding unit 110 plasticizes the material using the flat screw 40. However, the molding unit 110 may also plasticize the material by, for example, rotating an in-line screw. Alternatively, the molding unit 110 may also plasticize the filament-shaped material using a heater.

[0120] (G5) In the above embodiments, a material extrusion method for laminating plasticized material has been described as an example, but the present disclosure can be applied to various methods, such as an inkjet method, a DMD (Direct Metal Deposition) method, and a binder jet method.

[0121] H. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0122] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the method comprising: a first acquiring step of acquiring first shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object and first modeling data generated based on the first shape data and used to model the three-dimensional object; a first displaying step of displaying the three-dimensional object on a display unit based on the first shape data; a determining step of determining a target area of ​​the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit based on a designated area that specifies a range in three-dimensional space; a second acquiring step of selecting data of a portion of the first modeling data that corresponds to the target area and acquiring second modeling data; and a modeling step of performing three-dimensional modeling by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage based on the second modeling data. According to this aspect, a model that corresponds to the target region of the three-dimensional object is modeled. Therefore, when test modeling is performed to check the actual modeling state of a part of the three-dimensional object, it is possible to prevent a part other than the part that needs to be checked from being modeled.

[0123] (2) In the above embodiment, the first shape data may include at least one of the following information: accuracy information indicating the required accuracy for each portion of the three-dimensional object; stress information indicating the stress for each portion; temperature information indicating the amount of temperature change for each portion; and flow rate information indicating the flow rate of the fluid for each portion when the fluid is flowed through the three-dimensional object. According to this embodiment, various information can be displayed on a display unit together with the three-dimensional shape based on the first shape data, and a designated region and a target region can be determined based on the various information included in the first shape data.

[0124] (3) In the above-described embodiment, in the determining step, the designated area may be determined based on the at least one piece of information. According to this embodiment, the target area can be determined taking into account various pieces of information included in the first shape data, thereby enabling more effective test printing.

[0125] (4) In the above-described aspect, in the determining step, the designated area may be determined based on the accuracy information so as to include the portion of the three-dimensional object for which the required accuracy is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. According to this aspect, the actual printing state of the portion for which the required accuracy is higher can be confirmed by test printing.

[0126] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the first shape data may include the stress information, and in the determining step, the designated region may be determined based on the stress information so as to include the portion of the three-dimensional object where the stress is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. According to this embodiment, the actual printing state of the portion where higher stress is expected to occur can be confirmed by test printing.

[0127] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the first shape data may include the temperature information, and in the determining step, the designated area may be determined based on the temperature information so as to include the portion of the three-dimensional object where the temperature change amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. According to this embodiment, the actual printing state of the portion where a larger temperature change is expected to occur can be confirmed by test printing.

[0128] (7) In the above-described embodiment, the first shape data may include the flow velocity information, and in the determining step, the target region may be determined based on the flow velocity information so that the designated region includes the portion of the three-dimensional object where the flow velocity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. According to this embodiment, the actual printing state of the portion where a larger flow velocity is expected to occur can be confirmed by test printing.

[0129] (8) The above aspect may further include a second display step of displaying, on the display unit, a target portion of the three-dimensional object that corresponds to the target region and a non-target portion of the three-dimensional object that corresponds to a region of the three-dimensional object different from the target region, wherein, in the second display step, the non-target portion is displayed in a simplified form compared to the target portion. According to this aspect, while mainly displaying the target portion on the display unit, it is possible to show, on the display unit, the positional relationship between the target portion and the non-target portion within the overall shape of the three-dimensional object.

[0130] (9) The above aspect may further include a step of acquiring, from the first shape data, second shape data representing the shapes of a plurality of mutually separated partial regions in the target area and the shape of a connecting region connecting the partial regions, wherein the second acquiring step may acquire the second shape data by selecting data of a portion of the first printing data that corresponds to the second shape data. According to this aspect, even if the target area includes a plurality of mutually separated partial regions, it is possible to print a three-dimensional object in which the partial regions are appropriately connected in test printing, thereby improving user convenience.

[0131] (10) In the above aspect, in the second obtaining step, directional information indicating a direction of the three-dimensional shape included in the target area may be obtained, and an arrangement direction of the target area in the second shaping data may be determined based on the directional information. According to this aspect, the arrangement direction of the target area in the second shaping data can be easily determined.

[0132] (11) In the above-described embodiment, in the second obtaining step, the placement orientation may be determined so that the direction represented by the direction information and a surface direction of the stage are parallel, and the direction information may represent any one of a surface direction of a planar portion included in the target area, an axial direction of a shaft portion included in the target area, and a longitudinal direction of a long portion included in the target area. According to this embodiment, it is possible to print the portion of the three-dimensional object corresponding to the target area in a posture that is likely to enable appropriate printing of the portion.

[0133] (12) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a data generation method for generating modeling data for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage. This data generation method acquires first shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object and first modeling data generated based on the first shape data and for modeling the three-dimensional object, displays the three-dimensional object on a display unit based on the first shape data, determines a target area of ​​the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit based on a specified area that specifies a range in three-dimensional space, and generates second modeling data by selecting data of a portion of the first modeling data that corresponds to the target area.

[0134] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described three-dimensional object manufacturing method and data generation method, but can be realized in various forms, such as a three-dimensional printing system, a three-dimensional printing device, an information processing device, a computer program, and a non-transitory tangible recording medium on which a computer program is recorded in a computer-readable manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 10...3D modeling system, 20...material supply section, 22...communicating passage, 30...plasticizing section, 31...screw case, 32...drive motor, 40...flat screw, 42...groove section, 43...ridge section, 44...material inlet, 46...center section, 47...upper surface, 48...lower surface, 50...barrel, 52...upper surface, 54...guide groove, 56...communicating hole, 58...barrel heater, 60...discharge section, 61...nozzle, 62...nozzle opening, 65...flow path, 70...discharge adjustment section, 74...first drive section, 75...suction section, 7 6...second drive unit, 77...discharge control unit, 100...three-dimensional modeling apparatus, 110...modeling unit, 210...stage, 211...modeling surface, 212...stage heater, 230...movement mechanism, 300...control unit, 310...processor, 320...storage device, 400...information processing device, 410...CPU, 411...data generation unit, 420...memory, 430...storage device, 440...communication interface, 450...input / output interface, 460...bus, 470...input device, 480...display unit

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring first shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of a three-dimensional object, and first modeling data generated based on the first shape data and used to model the three-dimensional object; a first display step of displaying the three-dimensional object on a display unit based on the first shape data; a determining step of determining a target area of ​​the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit based on a designated area that designates a range in a three-dimensional space; a second acquisition step of selecting data of a portion corresponding to the target region from the first shaping data to acquire second shaping data; and a modeling process for executing three-dimensional modeling by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage based on the second modeling data.

2. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, a manufacturing method for a three-dimensional object, wherein the first shape data includes at least one of the following information: accuracy information that indicates the required accuracy for each portion of the three-dimensional object; stress information that indicates the stress for each portion; temperature information that indicates the amount of temperature change for each portion; and flow rate information that indicates the flow rate of the fluid for each portion when a fluid is flowed through the three-dimensional object.

3. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 2, In the determining step, the designated area is determined based on the at least one piece of information.

4. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 3, the first shape data includes the accuracy information, the determining step determines the designated area based on the accuracy information so that the designated area includes the portion of the three-dimensional object for which the required accuracy is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.

5. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 3, the first shape data includes the stress information, the determining step determines the designated area based on the stress information so that the designated area includes the portion of the three-dimensional object where the stress is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

6. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 3, the first shape data includes the temperature information; the determining step determines the designated area based on the temperature information so that the designated area includes the portion of the three-dimensional object where the amount of temperature change is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

7. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 3, the first shape data includes the flow velocity information, the determining step determines the target region based on the flow velocity information so that the designated region includes the portion of the three-dimensional object where the flow velocity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

8. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, a second display step of displaying, on the display unit, a target portion of the three-dimensional object that corresponds to the target region and a non-target portion of the three-dimensional object that corresponds to a region different from the target region, In the second display step, the non-target portion is displayed in a simplified manner compared to the target portion.

9. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring second shape data representing the shapes of a plurality of partial regions separated from one another in the target region and the shapes of connecting regions connecting the partial regions from the first shape data; In the second acquisition step, data of a portion of the first modeling data that corresponds to the second shape data is selected to acquire the second modeling data.

10. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein, in the second acquisition step, directional information representing a direction of the three-dimensional shape included in the target area is acquired, and a placement direction of the target area in the second modeling data is determined based on the directional information.

11. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 10, In the second obtaining step, the placement direction is determined so that the direction represented by the direction information and a surface direction of the stage are parallel to each other; A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein the direction information represents one of a surface direction of a planar portion included in the target area, an axial direction of a shaft portion included in the target area, and a longitudinal direction of a long portion included in the target area.

12. A data generation method for generating modeling data for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage, the method comprising: acquiring first shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of a three-dimensional object, and first shape data generated based on the first shape data and used to shape the three-dimensional object; displaying the three-dimensional object on a display unit based on the first shape data; determining a target area of ​​the three-dimensional object displayed on the display unit based on a specified area that specifies a range in three-dimensional space; a data generating method for generating second modeling data by selecting data of a portion corresponding to the target region from the first modeling data;

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