Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To simply evaluate whether or not an object with texture-based unevenness can be separated.SOLUTION: An information processing device is configured to: obtain shape data representing a shape of a mold for forming an object, texture parameters related to a texture to be given to the object, and information representing a direction in which the mold is moved away from the object; generate processing parameters for processing the object based on the texture parameters; and determine whether or not the object can be separated from the mold based on the information representing the first shape data and the direction, and the processing parameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for forming an object. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in the design of a mold used in injection molding, a technique is known that evaluates whether a molded product can be released from the mold without manufacturing the mold (Patent Document 1). This technique evaluates whether the product can be released from the mold by structural analysis based on a three-dimensional shape model of the molded product and the mold, molding conditions, resin properties, etc. In recent years, there is a demand for imparting various designs to the exterior surface of a resin product. For example, by providing fine irregularities that cannot be seen with the naked eye on the surface of a resin product, visual textures such as gloss and brilliance (low gloss matte tone, glittering metallic tone, etc.) can be expressed. In addition, the above method can also impart a tactile texture such as a grip (a rubber-like texture with a moist feel) to a resin product. Furthermore, by providing unevenness that can be seen with the naked eye that imitates the grain of leather on the surface of a resin product and imparting different fine irregularities to the convex and concave portions to change the gloss, a texture of so-called leather tone coating can be imparted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-298035 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When manufacturing objects such as resin products by injection molding, it is difficult to evaluate whether an object having projections and recesses required to express a desired texture can be released from a mold.

[0005] The present invention aims to easily evaluate whether or not an object having unevenness according to its texture can be released from a mold. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring first shape data representing a shape of a die for molding an object, texture parameters relating to a texture to be imparted to the object, and information representing a direction in which the die is to be removed from the object, a first generation means for generating processing parameters for processing the object based on the texture parameters, and a determination means for determining whether or not the object can be removed from the die based on the first shape data, the information representing the direction, and the processing parameters. and the texture parameter is an evaluation value of glossiness, glitteriness or grip, or a characteristic value representing the texture of a leather-tone paint. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily evaluate whether or not an object having unevenness according to its texture can be released from a mold. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the unevenness of the mold surface. [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the relationship between mold processing parameters and gloss level. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the mold surface and processing pattern. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a mold after processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the demolding direction and the height difference on the mold surface. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of a release determination process. [Figure 11]A GUI showing the results of the mold release determination process. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart of a process for determining an alternative texture. [Figure 13] A GUI showing the results of the alternative texture determination process. [Figure 14] A GUI showing the results of the process of determining all alternative textures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) The information processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system 10 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 includes an information processing device 100, an external storage device 111, a display device 112, an input device 113, and a network 120. The information processing device 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a storage unit 104, a communication unit 105, and a bus 107. The information processing system 10 may have an imaging device (not shown). The information processing device 100 is, for example, a desktop PC, but may also be a notebook PC or a tablet in which the display device 112 and the input device 113 are integrated. Although one information processing device 100 is shown in FIG. 1, there may be multiple information processing devices. Alternatively, there may be multiple information processing devices 100 that each hold their respective components in a distributed manner.

[0012] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit and generally controls each component in the information processing system 10. The CPU 101 executes an OS and various programs to realize various functions. The RAM 102 is a volatile memory, such as a DRAM and an SRAM. The ROM 103 is a non-volatile memory, such as a mask ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc. The ROM 103 stores the OS and various programs. The storage unit 104 is a storage device that stores data, programs, etc., such as an HDD and an SSD. The communication unit 105 can transmit the result of processing by the CPU 101 to an external device (such as a display device 112). Alternatively, the communication unit 105 can receive a user input from an external device (such as an input device 113) and transmit the received result to the CPU 101. The bus 107 is a data transmission path that connects each component in the information processing device 100 and between the information processing device 100 and an external device (not shown). The CPU 101 controls each component of the information processing device 100 via the bus 107. Programs stored in the ROM 103, the external storage device 111, etc. are transferred to the RAM 102, and executed by the CPU 101, thereby implementing the processing of the flowcharts described below.

[0013] The external storage device 111 is a storage device that stores data, programs, and the like, and is, for example, an HDD or SSD. The external storage device 111 may also be realized by a medium (recording medium) and an external storage drive for accessing the medium. The medium may be, for example, an FD (flexible disk), a CD-ROM, a DVD, a USB memory, an MO, a flash memory, and the like. The external storage device 111 is connected to the information processing device 100 via the bus 107, and can transmit and receive data and signals to and from the information processing device 100.

[0014] The display device 112 is a device that displays data and results processed by the CPU 101, and is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an OLED (organic light emitting display). The display device 112 is connected to the information processing device 100 via the bus 107. The input device 113 is a device that accepts selections from a user, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, etc. The input device 113 is connected to the information processing device 100 via the bus 107. The CPU 101 displays a GUI provided by a program on the display device 112, and receives input information that is a user's instruction obtained via the input device 113.

[0015] The network 120 is a communication network for transmitting and receiving data, signals, and the like between the information processing device 100 and an external device (not shown). The network 120 includes a plurality of routers, switches, cables, and the like that meet a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the network 120 may be any network that enables communication between the information processing device 100 and other devices, and may be configured with any scale and communication standard. For example, the network 120 may be the Internet, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, a WAN, or the like.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device 100 in this embodiment. The CPU 101 functions as the functional configuration shown in Fig. 2 by executing a program stored in the ROM 103 using the RAM 102 as a work memory. Note that all of the processes shown below do not necessarily need to be executed by the CPU 101. The information processing device 100 may be configured so that a part or all of the processes are performed by one or more processing circuits (not shown) other than the CPU 101. The information processing device 100 includes a control unit 201, a shape data acquisition unit 202, a texture parameter acquisition unit 203, a release direction acquisition unit 204, a processing pattern generation unit 205, and an evaluation unit 206.

[0017] The control unit 201 displays a GUI on the display device 112, and receives input information representing user instructions via the input device 113. The input information is sent to a shape data acquisition unit 202, a texture parameter acquisition unit 203, and a release direction acquisition unit 204. The control unit 201 also displays an evaluation result regarding release, which will be described later, on the display device 112.

[0018] The shape data acquisition unit 202 acquires shape data from the ROM 103, the external storage device 111, etc., based on user input information received by the input device 113. The shape data is polygon data that expresses the surface shape of the mold before processing the unevenness with a set of multiple planes. In other words, the shape data represents the shape of the surface where the mold and the resin contact, in other words, the shape before texture is added. The shape data also consists of a list of three-dimensional coordinates (xyz coordinates) of vertices that make up the multiple planes and the corresponding two-dimensional coordinates (uv coordinates). The shape data acquisition unit 202 sends the acquired shape data to the processing pattern generation unit 205 and the evaluation unit 206.

[0019] The texture parameter acquisition unit 203 acquires texture parameters based on the input information of the user received by the input device 113. The texture parameter acquisition unit 203 also acquires information on the resin material and molding conditions as conditions for producing a molded product. In this embodiment, the texture parameter is glossiness. The acquired texture parameter, resin material, and molding condition information are sent to the processing pattern generation unit 205. The texture parameter is not limited to glossiness, and may be other characteristic values ​​that represent the characteristics of the texture of the molded product. For example, evaluation values ​​that quantify sensory quantities such as glitter and grip by sensory evaluation experiments may be used. Alternatively, for example, the dynamic friction coefficient and static friction coefficient may be used as characteristic values ​​that represent the grip feeling. The texture parameter may also be a combination of multiple characteristic values. For example, a combination of the glossiness of the recessed portion, the glossiness of the protruding portion, and the maximum height difference between the recessed portion and the protruding portion may be used as characteristic values ​​that represent the texture of the leather tone paint.

[0020] The mold release direction acquisition unit 204 acquires a three-dimensional unit vector (mold release direction vector) indicating the mold release direction based on the input information. The mold release direction acquisition unit 204 transmits the acquired mold release direction vector to the evaluation unit 206. The processing pattern generation unit 205 generates processing pattern data based on information on the shape data, the texture parameters, the resin material, and the molding conditions. The processing pattern data will be described in detail later. The processing pattern generation unit 205 transmits the generated processing pattern data to the evaluation unit 206. The evaluation unit 206 calculates an evaluation value regarding the mold release between a mold having projections and recesses and a corresponding molded product based on the shape data, the mold release direction vector, and the processing pattern data, and evaluates whether or not the mold release is possible. The mold release evaluation will be described in detail later. The evaluation unit 206 transmits the evaluation result to the control unit 201.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the texture and mold release depending on the presence or absence of unevenness of a molded product. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram for explaining a case where unevenness is not provided on the surface of a molded product. In FIG. 3(a), a surface 301 represents a flat surface of a molded product where unevenness is not provided. A normal vector 304 of the surface 301 is a vector indicated by a plurality of black arrows, and points in the same direction at all positions within the surface 301. The normal vector 304 is also called a normal direction. The incident light 306 is visible light, but may be light having any wavelength, for example. At this time, the regular reflection direction of the incident light 306 on the surface 301 is a constant direction regardless of the incident position on the surface 301. Therefore, the reflected light is not diffused, and the user perceives the surface 301 as a highly glossy surface.

[0022] On the other hand, FIG. 3(b) is a diagram for explaining a case where unevenness is provided on the surface of a molded product. In FIG. 3(b), surface 302 represents a surface on which fine convex portions 303 are provided in the molded product. When incident light 306 is incident on the convex portions 303, the normal vector 304 faces in various directions in the convex portions 303, and the reflected light is diffused. As a result, the user perceives that the gloss of surface 302 is lower than that of surface 301. The more convex portions 303 formed in surface 302, the greater the variation in normal vector 304, and therefore the greater the degree of diffusion of reflected light. In addition, the variation in normal vector 304 changes depending on the characteristics of the convex portions 303, such as the height, width, and geometric shape of the convex portions. Therefore, by changing the density and shape of the convex portions 303, various glosses can be imparted to surface 302 of the molded product.

[0023] In addition to the example shown in FIG. 3(b), by combining multiple convex portions 303 of different shapes to provide unevenness on the surface 302, it is possible to provide a glossy feel, a grippy feel, and a texture of leather-tone painting to the molded product. For example, a low-gloss surface on which uniform-sized first minute convex portions 303 are densely provided can be dotted with larger second minute convex portions 303. This allows the user to perceive the extremely small areas where the second convex portions 303 exist as sparkling. By changing the size and density of the second convex portions 303 on the low-gloss surface, it is possible to provide various glossy feels to the molded product. In addition, by providing the fine convex portions 303, it is possible to change the friction coefficient of the surface 302 of the molded product, and it is possible to provide various gripping feels to the molded product.

[0024] In addition, by providing convex portions of a size visible to the user so as to be dotted on the surface of the molded product, and further providing different fine convex portions on the surfaces of the convex portions and the areas other than the convex portions, the texture of a leather-tone coating can be imparted to the molded product. However, by providing the convex portions (i.e., imparting texture), the molded product's release resistance increases, which may cause problems in releasing the molded product. Problems that occur during release will be explained below. In Figures 3(a) and 3(b), arrow 305 indicates the direction in which the mold is moved relative to the molded product (surface 301, surface 302). For example, a case will be explained in which the surfaces 301 and 302 are molded and the mold is moved in the direction of the arrow 305 for each of them. Since the surface 301 has no convex portions and its release resistance is small, it is possible to release the surface 301 from the mold. On the other hand, the surface 302 has a plurality of convex portions 303 on its surface, which come into contact with the concave portions of the mold, increasing the release resistance of the surface 302. This may cause mold release problems when surface 302 is released from the mold.

[0025] The uneven structure of surface 302 is realized by a mold having unevenness corresponding to the structure. The unevenness of the mold is processed on the mold surface by a processing machine such as a cutting machine or a laser processing machine. The concave portions processed on the mold surface are transferred to the resin as the convex portions 303 of the molded product, and the depth of the concave portions of the mold becomes the height of the convex portions 303 of the molded product. Similarly, the convex portions processed on the mold surface are transferred to the resin as the concave portions of the molded product, and the height of the convex portions of the mold becomes the depth of the concave portions of the molded product. In this embodiment, the processing diameter, processing depth, and processing density are used as parameters for controlling the processing of the concave portions of the mold by the processing machine.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a recess machined on a mold surface. In FIG. 4, machining diameter 401 is the diameter of the recess (arrow r), and machining depth 402 is the distance (indicated by arrow d) from mold surface 403, which is the mold surface before machining the recess, to the bottom when vertically lowered. The shaded area in FIG. 4 shows the cross section of the mold. Machining diameter 401 is a parameter equivalent to the tool diameter in a cutting machine and the spot diameter of laser light in a laser processing machine. Machining depth 402 is a parameter that controls the machining depth with mold surface 403 before machining the unevenness as a reference (depth zero). Machining density is a parameter that controls the number of recesses machined per unit area of ​​the mold. Hereinafter, a combination of the parameters of machining diameter, machining depth, and machining density will be referred to as a machining parameter set.

[0027] When manufacturing a mold having projections and recesses, data (hereinafter, machining pattern data) is created that associates the positions on the mold surface 403 where projections and recesses are to be formed with the machining depth 402, based on the shape data of the mold surface 403 before machining and the machining density. The machining pattern data is input to CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing). CAM converts this data into a program such as NC data, and transmits the program to a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machining machine. When this program is executed, the machining machine performs machining of the mold.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the machining parameter set and glossiness of a mold. In this embodiment, based on the shape data and glossiness conditions input by the user, machining pattern data for the mold that satisfies those conditions is generated. FIG. 5 shows tables 501, 502, and 503. Table 501 includes a machining parameter set 504 and glossiness 505 when the material of the molded product is resin A and molding condition 1 is applied. Tables 502 and 503 include a machining parameter set 504 and glossiness 505 similar to table 501. Machining parameter set 504 includes machining diameter (μm), machining depth (μm), machining density (dot / mm 25, the machining diameters are indicated as r1, r2, ..., r', and the machining depths are indicated as d1, d2, ..., d'. The machining density is indicated as ρ1, ρ2, ..., ρ', and the glossiness 505 is indicated as g1, g2, ..., g'. The machining pattern generation unit 205 acquires the value of the machining parameter set 504 corresponding to the glossiness 505 input by the user. The glossiness 505 in the tables 501 to 503 is obtained by measuring, with a gloss meter, a flat measurement sample molded by combining various materials, molding conditions, and machining parameter sets.

[0029] 5 are stored in advance in the ROM 103 or the like. If the gloss level matching the gloss level input by the user does not exist in the tables 501 to 503, the processing pattern generating unit 205 refers to a gloss level close to the input gloss level. The processing pattern generating unit 205 interpolates the value of the processing parameter set 504 corresponding to the gloss level close to the input gloss level to obtain the value of the processing parameter set 504 corresponding to the input gloss level. Note that a characteristic value other than gloss level may be used as the texture parameter, and the tables 501 to 503 may have information associating the processing parameter set 504 with the other characteristic value. The processing parameter set 504 may include processing parameters according to the processing machine used. For example, the processing parameter set when a laser processing machine is used may include the output intensity and irradiation time of the laser light instead of the processing depth.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows an example of a mold surface and a processing pattern. Fig. 6(a) shows an example of the surface shape of a mold represented by a polygon in the xyz coordinate space. Surface shape 600 is the shape of the surface that comes into contact with resin during molding. In Fig. 6(a), element surface 601 is a triangle (△p1p2p3) formed by connecting vertices p1, p2, and p3 on surface shape 600, and is one of multiple planes that make up surface shape 600. Point 602 indicates a representative point within element surface 601.

[0031] FIG. 6(b) shows an example of a development of a surface shape 600 and an element surface 601 developed on a UV coordinate plane. The machining pattern generation unit 205 generates machining pattern data based on the xyz coordinates and UV coordinates of the vertices of the polygon indicated by the shape data and the machining parameter set 504. In FIG. 6(c), a machining depth map 603 is the machining pattern data, and an enlargement 604 is an enlarged image of the machining depth map 603. The machining depth map 603 is an image in which pixel positions are represented by UV coordinates. The pixel value at pixel position (u,v) of the machining depth map 603 represents the machining depth at the position (x,y,z) on the mold surface corresponding to (u,v). Pixel 605 is a pixel (□) having a pixel value c0 indicating a machining depth of 0, and pixel 606 is a pixel (□) having a pixel value c0 indicating a machining depth of d. d The pixel (■) has the pixel value:

[0032] If the area of ​​△p1p2p3 in the xyz coordinate space is A, the pixel value c indicating the processing depth d d A×ρ pixels having the above value are included in △p1p2p3 on the machining depth map. In addition, when the other pixel values ​​are a value c0 indicating a machining depth 0, the machining density on the mold surface is equal to ρ. The pixel values ​​of all pixels in the machining depth map 603 are initialized to c0. The machining pattern generation unit 205 randomly selects A×ρ pixels 606 according to the area of ​​the element surface 601 for all element surfaces 601 constituting the surface shape 600, and arranges the element surfaces 601. In this way, the machining pattern generation unit 205 can generate a machining depth map 603 corresponding to the glossiness 505 input by the user. The resolution of the machining depth map 603 may be any resolution as long as it is a resolution that can express the machining density. In other words, it is sufficient that the resolution is such that A×ρ or more pixels 606 are included in the element surface 601. In addition, when arranging the pixels 606 on the element surface 601, they may be arranged at equal intervals rather than being arranged randomly. Alternatively, the pixels 606 may be arranged on the element surface 601 based on a predetermined rule.

[0033] In this embodiment, an evaluation value for determining whether or not the mold can be released is calculated in the following procedure, and whether or not the mold can be released when texture is added is determined based on this evaluation value. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between a normal vector 700, a mold release direction vector 701, an angle θ, a mold 702 (shaded area), and a molded product 703 (area other than the shaded area). The normal vector 700 indicates a direction perpendicular to the mold 702 at the surface where the mold 702 and the molded product 703 contact each other. The mold release direction vector 701 indicates a direction in which the mold 702 is separated from the molded product 703. First, for all element faces 601 constituting the above surface shape 600, an angle θ between the normal vector 700 and the mold release direction vector 701 of each element face is calculated. Next, for each element face 601 constituting the surface shape 600, the maximum height difference Δd in the height direction along the normal vector 700 is calculated for the surface shape 600 of the mold when the unevenness is processed. The maximum height difference Δd is calculated as the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the height of the surface shape 600 within the element surface 601 .

[0034] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a mold in which unevenness has been machined based on a part of the machining depth map. FIG. 8 shows a machining depth map 801, a mold surface 802, a mold surface 803, pixels 804, and pixels 805. Furthermore, FIG. 8 shows a position 806, a position 807, a height difference 808, a machining diameter 809, and a machining depth 810. The machining depth map 801 is a map expressing the machining depth of the mold surface 802 including pixels 804 and 805. The mold surface 802 is the part shown in a wavy manner with a solid line, and shows the mold surface after machining. The mold surface 803 is the part shown with a dashed line, and shows the surface before the mold is machined. Pixel 804 shows a pixel c indicating a machining depth d. d 803 is a pixel (■) having a pixel value c0 indicating a machining depth of 0, and pixel 805 is a pixel (□) having a pixel value c0 indicating a machining depth of 0. The height of the mold surface 802 is lowest at a position 806 corresponding to pixel 804 in the machining depth map 801.

[0035] Moreover, the height of the mold surface 802 at positions other than position 806 is the same as that of the mold surface 803 before machining, or is lower depending on the machining diameter 809 and machining depth 810 at position 806. In Fig. 8, the height of the mold surface 802 after machining is the highest at position 807, and the difference in height between positions 806 and 807 is height difference 808 (shown as Δd). Note that the surface shape 802 of the mold with the recesses and projections machined thereon is found by computer simulation based on the shape data, machining parameter set, machining depth map, etc.

[0036] For each element surface 601 constituting the surface shape 600, Δdlimit, which is the release limit value of the height difference 808 corresponding to the angle θ, is acquired. These correspondences are stored in advance in the ROM 103 or the like. The release limit value Δdlimit is a value that represents the maximum height difference at which the molded product can be released without any problems. FIG. 9 shows an example of an LUT that holds the correspondence between the angle θ and the release limit value Δdlimit. FIG. 9 includes a table 901, a table 902, and a table 903. The table 901 shows the correspondence between the angle 904 and the release limit value 905 when the material of the molded product is A and the molding condition is 1. The angle 904 is expressed by θ (deg) and is expressed by a numerical value such as 0, 5, . . . , 90. The release limit value 905 is expressed by Δdlimit (μm) and is expressed by a numerical value such as 50, 20, . . . , 0. Table 902 shows the correspondence relationship between angle 904 and release limit value 905 when the material of the molded product is resin B and the molding condition is 1. Table 903 shows the correspondence relationship between angle 904 and release limit value 905 when the material of the molded product is resin C and the molding condition is 2. Note that tables 902 and 903 each have the same angle 904 and release limit value 905 as table 901.

[0037] In general, the release limit value 905 for the angle 904 varies depending on the material and molding conditions. Therefore, various data may be obtained by pre-producing molded products made with various materials and molding conditions, or by simulating under those conditions. A LUT including various data obtained by various means may be used. The release evaluation value F of each element surface 601 is calculated by subtracting Δd of the height difference 808 from the release limit value Δdlimit. The calculation method of the release evaluation value F is as shown in the following formula 1. If the height difference 808 is larger than the release limit value Δdlimit, the release evaluation value F becomes a negative value, indicating that there is a problem with the release. On the other hand, if the height difference 808 is smaller than the release limit value Δdlimit, the release evaluation value F becomes a positive value, indicating that there is no problem with the release. Note that the release evaluation in this embodiment is evaluated based on the relationship between the height difference 808 and the release limit value Δdlimit in each element surface 601, but is not limited thereto. For example, the mold release evaluation may be performed based on the angle of the draft gradient φ obtained by subtracting the angle θ between the normal vector 700 and the mold release direction vector 701 from the angle 90° in Fig. 7. In this case, the draft gradient φ may be associated with the height difference 808.

[0038]

number

[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 100. Hereinafter, each step is represented by adding S before the reference symbol. In S1001, the control unit 201 displays a GUI 1101 as shown in FIG. 11(a) on the display device 112 and accepts input of instructions from the user. Here, FIG. 11(a) shows an example of the GUI. The GUI 1101 includes a display area 1102, a shape setting 1103, a texture setting 1104, and a mold release direction setting 1105. The GUI 1101 further includes a material setting 1106, a molding condition setting 1107, an evaluation start 1108, and a determination 1109. In FIG. 11(a), the display area 1102 is an area where an image of the molded product and the mold rendered appearance is displayed. The shape setting 1103 is an area where the path of a file recording the shape data of the mold is input. The texture setting 1104 is an area where the user inputs a characteristic value representing the texture that he or she wants to impart to the molded product.

[0040] The mold release direction setting 1105 is an area for inputting the values ​​of the components (x, y, z) of the mold release direction vector. The material setting 1106 is a pull-down list for selecting the resin material used in the molded product. The molding condition setting 1107 is a pull-down list for selecting the molding conditions for molding the molded product. The evaluation start 1108 is a button for evaluating whether or not the mold can be released based on the conditions input to the GUI 1101. When the evaluation start 1108 is pressed by the user, the shape data acquisition unit 202, the texture parameter acquisition unit 203, and the mold release direction acquisition unit 204 each acquire data such as the shape data, glossiness, and the mold release direction vector based on the input information.

[0041] In S1002, the processing pattern generation unit 205 refers to the tables 501 to 503 and acquires a processing parameter set 504 corresponding to the gloss level 505 acquired in S1001. The processing parameter set 504 includes a processing diameter (μm), a processing depth (μm), a processing density (dot / mm 2In S1003, the machining pattern generation unit 205 generates a machining depth map using the shape data acquired in S1001 and the machining depth and machining density acquired in S1002. In S1004, the evaluation unit 206 calculates a mold release evaluation value F for all element faces 601 constituting the surface shape 600 of the mold based on the shape data, the mold release direction vector, the machining parameter set, and the machining depth map.

[0042] In S1005, the evaluation unit 206 judges that the mold can be released if the calculated mold release evaluation value F is 0 or more for all element surfaces 601. On the other hand, the evaluation unit 206 judges that the mold cannot be released if the mold release evaluation value F is less than 0. The control unit 201 updates the GUI 1101 on the display device 112 based on the judgment result, displays the judgment result in the display area 1102, and the process ends. Here, FIG. 11(b) shows an example of the GUI 1120 when it is judged that the mold can be released. In FIG. 11(b), the display area 1102 displays "RELEASE OK" together with a rendering image of the molded product or the mold. On the other hand, FIG. 11(c) shows an example of the GUI when it is judged that the mold cannot be released. In FIG. 11(c), the display area 1102 displays "RELEASE NG" together with a rendering image of the molded product or the mold. At this time, as a notification other than the notification by the GUI, for example, any one of a warning sound, a flashing light, and a notification by email, or a combination thereof, may be used.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 11(c), an image 1111 in which the element surface 601 is color-coded according to the demolding evaluation value F calculated in S1004 is generated and displayed in the display area 1102. The image 1111 has a demolding-impossible part displayed by shading in the lower area. The degree of demolding impossibility may be displayed by the shade of the shading, for example, a light shading indicates that demolding is slightly difficult, and a dark shading indicates that demolding is completely difficult. A user can recognize a part where a problem occurs in demolding by checking the demolding-impossible part of the image 1111 displayed in the display area 1102. Also, when it is determined that demolding is possible in FIG. 11(b) and the user presses the confirm button 1109, the generated machining depth map may be stored in the external storage device 111 or the like. Alternatively, the machining depth map may be output to a CAM connected via a network, and machining may be performed by a machining machine. According to the above-mentioned process, it is possible to more easily evaluate whether or not a molded article can be released from a mold when a desired texture (eg, unevenness) is imparted to the surface thereof.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the user inputs the glossiness as a texture parameter, but other characteristic values ​​representing the texture characteristics, such as a quantitative evaluation value of a sensory amount, may be input. In addition, data in which a plurality of characteristic values ​​are combined may be input, such as inputting both the glossiness and the dynamic friction coefficient. In addition, image data in which the positions on the mold surface are associated with the characteristic values ​​may be separately created and used as the texture parameter. For example, a glossiness map image is created in which pixel values ​​corresponding to the glossiness of each part are recorded in pixels in the areas corresponding to the concave and convex parts, respectively, as texture parameters representing the texture of leather-tone paint. This glossiness map image may be input together with the maximum height difference between the concave and convex parts.

[0045] Also, the user may input a texture name into GUI 1101 instead of the texture parameters. In this case, texture parameters corresponding to the texture name are stored in advance in ROM 103 or the like. In S1001, the shape data acquisition unit 202, the texture parameter acquisition unit 203, and the release direction acquisition unit 204 may acquire texture parameters corresponding to the input texture name from ROM 103 or the like. Furthermore, the type of processing machine used by the user may be input in S1001. In this case, a correspondence relationship between processing parameters and texture parameters for each type of processing machine is stored in ROM 103 or the like in advance. By referring to this correspondence relationship in S1002, processing parameters corresponding to the combination of the input processing machine type and texture parameters may be acquired.

[0046] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the user inputs only one direction as the mold release direction has been described, but for a mold consisting of multiple pieces with different mold release directions, a mold release direction may be input for each piece. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the possibility of mold release is determined based on the mold release evaluation value F has been described, but the determination method is not limited to this. For example, a solid model of a mold in which unevenness has been machined based on shape data, a machining parameter set, a machining depth map, etc. may be created. The possibility of mold release may be determined based on a mold release resistance force obtained by applying a known structural analysis method to this solid model.

[0047] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by preparing the table 501 and the like in advance, it is possible to create a machining depth map of a mold having unevenness corresponding to a texture parameter (glossiness). In the first embodiment, it is possible to determine whether a molded product can be released from the relationship between the height difference of the unevenness of the mold cross section created based on the machining depth map and a predefined release limit value. The first embodiment makes it possible to evaluate release without creating a solid model of the mold corresponding to each texture parameter and creating the mold. This makes it possible to easily evaluate whether an object having unevenness corresponding to the texture can be released from the mold.

[0048] Second embodiment In the first embodiment, a method for evaluating whether or not a molded product can be released when a desired texture is imparted to the surface of the molded product was described. In this embodiment, an example is described in which an alternative texture parameter (hereinafter, alternative glossiness) that allows release is presented when it is determined that release is impossible. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are described with the same reference numerals. The configuration and functions of the information processing device 100 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 100 in this embodiment. Processing from S1201 to S1204 is the same as S1001 to S1004 in Fig. 10, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In S1205, the evaluation unit 206 performs a mold release determination based on whether the mold release evaluation value calculated in S1204 is 0 or more. In S1205, if the mold release evaluation value is 0 or more (Yes in S1205), the evaluation unit 206 determines that the mold is releasable, and the process proceeds to S1208. In S1208, the control unit 201 updates the GUI 1101 on the display device 112, displays the possibility of mold release for the gloss level input by the user, and the alternative gloss level, and the process ends.

[0050] In S1205, if the release evaluation value is not 0 or more (No in S1205), the evaluation unit 206 determines that release is not possible, and the process proceeds to S1206. In S1206, the evaluation unit 206 calculates an alternative gloss level at which release is possible, and the process proceeds to S1207. At this time, the evaluation unit 206 selects one processing parameter set 504 in which the difference between the gloss level input by the user and the alternative gloss level is minimum in the table 501. The release evaluation value of the mold in which the unevenness has been processed using the processing parameter set 504 corresponding to the alternative gloss level may be calculated by the processes of S1203 to S1204.

[0051] In S1207, the evaluation unit 206 performs a mold release determination based on whether the calculated mold release evaluation value is 0 or more. If the calculated mold release evaluation value is 0 or more (Yes in S1207), the evaluation unit 206 determines that mold release is possible. In addition, the evaluation unit 206 sets the glossiness 505 newly selected in S1206 as the alternative glossiness, and the process proceeds to S1208. The process of S1208 is the same as above, so the description will be omitted. On the other hand, if the calculated mold release evaluation value is not 0 or more (No in S1207), the evaluation unit 206 determines that mold release is impossible, and the process returns to S1206. In S1206, one processing parameter set 504 having the next smallest difference between the glossiness input by the user and the alternative glossiness is selected. In the process from S1207 onwards, the evaluation unit 206 again determines whether mold release is possible. The process of determining whether or not releasability is possible is repeated until a releasable processing parameter set 504 is found or there are no more unselected processing parameter sets 504.

[0052] FIG. 13 shows an example of GUI display. FIG. 13(a) is an example of GUI 1301 display when it is determined that demolding is possible. When the user presses Confirm 1309 in FIG. 13(a), a processing depth map for realizing the selected glossiness is stored in the external storage device 111 or the like. The evaluation result 1310 presents the demolding evaluation by the evaluation unit 206 and an alternative glossiness. For example, the evaluation result 1310 indicates that demolding is "OK" and there is no alternative candidate (displayed as "-"). The alternative candidate refers to an alternative glossiness. FIG. 13(b) is an example of GUI 1302 display when it is determined that demolding is impossible. In FIG. 13(b), Confirm 1309 is the same as above, so the explanation will be omitted. The evaluation result 1311 indicates that the evaluation result is "NG" and there is an alternative candidate. The alternative candidate indicates that the glossiness is "9.1", the material is "Resin B", and the molding condition is "Molding condition 1". At this time, if the user presses the confirm button 1309, the processing depth map for realizing the alternative gloss level of 9.1 is stored in the external storage device 111 or the like.

[0053] Fig. 13(c) is an example of the display of GUI 1303 when no alternative gloss level that allows demolding and its corresponding processing parameter set were found in S1207. Unlike the above, Confirm 1309 in Fig. 13(c) is displayed with shading so that it will not be pressed by the user. Evaluation result 1312 indicates that the evaluation result is NG and there are no alternative candidates. The alternative candidates indicate that the gloss level is "None" and that there are no alternative candidates for the material and molding conditions (displayed as "-").

[0054] As described above, it is possible to evaluate whether or not the mold can be released when a desired texture is imparted to the surface of a molded product, and when it is determined that the mold cannot be released, an alternative texture (alternative glossiness) that allows release can be presented. Note that, in the present embodiment, an example in which only one alternative glossiness is presented has been described, but multiple alternative glossinesses may be presented. For example, it may be determined whether or not the mold can be released for each of multiple processing parameter sets in which the difference between the glossiness input by the user and the alternative glossiness is within a predetermined range in S1208. Furthermore, all of the alternative glossinesses corresponding to the multiple processing parameter sets that are determined to allow release may be presented as alternative candidates.

[0055] FIG. 14 shows the judgment result of whether or not the mold can be released for the glossiness associated with a plurality of processing parameter sets. FIG. 14 includes a GUI 1400, a display area 1401, a display area 1402, a display area 1403, and a user input 1405 confirmation 1409. The display area 1401 displays the evaluation result for the glossiness input by the user. The display area 1401 displays a rendering image of the mold and release NG as a judgment result that the mold cannot be released. The display area 1402 displays a list of alternative glossinesses having values ​​close to the glossiness of the user input 1405. For example, since the user input 1405 displays a glossiness of 9.0, a value close to this glossiness is displayed. The display area 1402 has a table including Δ glossiness, glossiness, material, and molding conditions. The first row of the table in the display area 1402 indicates the glossiness of the user input 1405, and the second and subsequent rows indicate a list of alternative glossinesses. The second and subsequent rows of the table in the display area 1402 will be described below. Δglossiness represents the difference between the user input 1405 glossiness and the newly selected glossiness, and is displayed as +0.1, +0.4, +1.0, ... The difference + indicates that the alternative glossiness is greater than the user input glossiness.

[0056] The glossiness is displayed as 9.1, 9.5, 10.0, . . . The materials are displayed as material B, material A, material C, . . . The molding conditions are displayed as 1, 2, 2, . . . The boxes in the leftmost column of the table in the display area 1402 are boxes for selecting whether or not to display in the display area 1403 described below. If the box in the second row of the table is checked, the display area 1403 displays a rendering image of a molded product molded using a glossiness of 9.1, resin B, and molding condition 1. If the box is not checked, no image is displayed in the display area 1403. When the user presses the confirm 1409, the processing depth map for realizing the selected alternative glossiness is saved in the external storage device 111 or the like.

[0057] Alternatively, an alternative gloss may be calculated for each element surface constituting the surface shape of the mold, and a different alternative gloss may be presented for each element surface. In the present embodiment, an example in which an alternative gloss is presented as an alternative for texture has been described, but characteristic values ​​representing other texture features may be presented as values ​​in the candidate list. Also, for example, in addition to the determination result of whether demolding is possible, alternatives regarding the design of the mold, such as the demolding direction of the molded product and the division position of the mold piece, may be presented. For example, the alternative demolding direction may be presented together with the determination result of whether demolding is possible when the demolding direction vector is changed in various ways. The alternative demolding direction can be found by searching for a direction in which demolding is possible.

[0058] According to the second embodiment, when it is determined that a molded product cannot be released from a mold corresponding to the gloss level input by the user, an alternative gloss level close to that gloss level can be presented. The second embodiment can determine whether a molded product can be released from a mold corresponding to the alternative gloss level, and notify the user of all the determination results. This configuration does not require the user to go through the trouble of searching for an alternative gloss level when it is determined that the product cannot be released from the mold. This configuration can efficiently support the user's mold design. This makes it possible to easily evaluate whether an object having unevenness according to its texture can be released from the mold.

[0059] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10: information processing system, 100: information processing device, 202: shape data acquisition unit, 203: texture parameter acquisition unit, 204: release direction acquisition unit, 205: processing pattern generation unit, 206: evaluation unit

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring first shape data representing a shape of a die for molding an object, texture parameters relating to a texture to be imparted to the object, and information representing a direction in which the die is moved away from the object; a first generating means for generating processing parameters for processing the object based on the texture parameters; a determination means for determining whether or not the object can be released from the die based on the first shape data, the information representing the direction, and the processing parameters, The texture parameter is an evaluation value of gloss, brilliance, or grip, or a characteristic value representing the texture of a leather-tone paint.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. a second generating means for generating a first map that defines a depth of a recess in the first shape data based on the first shape data and the processing parameters; a storage means for storing in advance a first difference between the depth and a height of a convex portion in the first shape data, the first difference corresponding to an angle between a normal direction of the die at a position where the die contacts the object and a direction in which the object is separated from the die, the determination means calculates a second difference between the depth and the height based on the first map, and determines whether or not the object can be released from the mold based on whether or not the second difference exceeds the first difference.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The determination means determines that the object cannot be released from the mold when the second difference exceeds the first difference.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The determination means determines that the object can be released from the mold when the second difference does not exceed the first difference.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

5. the storage means stores in advance the texture parameter, and a processing density and a processing depth associated with the texture parameter; 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

6. The first shape data includes three-dimensional coordinates constituting vertices of a plurality of planes of the mold and two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the three-dimensional coordinates.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

7. the storage means stores a plurality of materials contained in the object and a plurality of molding conditions for molding the object in association with the first difference; 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

8. the determination means generates second shape data by color-coding the first shape data in accordance with a determination result of whether or not the object can be separated from the mold; The method further includes a notification unit for notifying the user of the second shape data.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

9. the storage means stores in advance the first difference corresponding to an angle between a direction in which the object is separated from the mold and a surface of the object; 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

10. the storage means stores in advance a plurality of alternative gloss levels different from the gloss level as the texture parameter, and processing densities and processing depths respectively associated with the plurality of alternative gloss levels; 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

11. The acquisition means acquires an alternative gloss level selected from the plurality of alternative gloss levels so that a difference between the alternative gloss level and the gloss level is small, based on a determination by the determination means as to whether the object to which the gloss level has been assigned can be separated from the mold; the second generating means generates a second map that defines a depth of the recessed portion in the first shape data and a height of the protruding portion in the first shape data, based on the first shape data, and the processing density and the processing depth corresponding to the alternative gloss level; the determination means determines whether or not the object can be released from the mold based on whether or not a third difference between the depth and the height in the second map exceeds the first difference.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10,

12. The acquisition means, when it is determined by the determination means that the object to which the glossiness has been assigned can be separated from the mold, does not acquire the alternative glossiness, The method further includes a notification means for notifying a first determination result that the object to which the glossiness has been given by the determination means can be separated from the mold.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 .

13. The acquisition means acquires the alternative glossiness when the determination means determines that the object to which the glossiness has been assigned cannot be separated from the mold, The method further includes a notification means for notifying a second determination result in which the determination means determines that the object to which the gloss level has been assigned cannot be removed from the mold, and further includes a notification means for notifying the alternative gloss level and the processing density and processing depth corresponding to the alternative gloss level when the determination means determines that the object to which the alternative gloss level has been assigned can be removed from the mold.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The notification means notifies that there is no alternative glossiness and that there is no processing density and processing depth corresponding to the alternative glossiness when the determination means determines that the object to which the alternative glossiness is assigned cannot be separated from the mold.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13,

15. The notification means, when it is determined by the determination means that the object to which each of the plurality of alternative gloss levels is assigned can be removed from the mold, notifies all of the alternative gloss levels determined to allow the object to be removed from the mold and the processing densities and processing depths corresponding to the alternative gloss levels.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14.

16. An acquisition means for acquiring first shape data representing a shape of a mold for molding an object, texture parameters relating to a texture to be imparted to the object, and information representing a direction in which the mold is moved away from the object; a first generating means for generating processing parameters for processing the object based on the texture parameters; a second generating means for generating a first map that defines a depth of a recess in the first shape data based on the first shape data and the processing parameters; a storage means for storing in advance a first difference between the depth and a height of a convex portion in the first shape data, the first difference corresponding to an angle between a normal direction of the die at a position where the die contacts the object and a direction in which the object is separated from the die; a determination means for calculating a second difference between the depth and the height based on the first map, and determining whether or not the object can be released from the mold based on whether or not the second difference exceeds the first difference.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

17. an acquisition step of acquiring shape data representing a shape of a die for molding an object, texture parameters relating to a texture to be imparted to the object, and information representing a direction in which the die is moved away from the object; a generating step of generating processing parameters for processing the object based on the texture parameters; a determination step of determining whether or not the object can be released from the mold based on the shape data, the information representing the direction, and the processing parameters, The texture parameter is an evaluation value of gloss, brilliance, or grip, or a characteristic value representing the texture of a leather-tone paint.

23. An information processing method comprising:

18. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

Images