Method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, three-dimensional modeling system, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing labor of manually adding control data for controlling a unique function of a three-dimensional molding apparatus.SOLUTION: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional molded article that manufactures a three-dimensional molded article by stacking layers using the three-dimensional molding apparatus includes: a first step of acquiring first molding data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge section that moves while discharging molding material and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the molding material in the movement path; a second step of generating second molding data by adding control data that controls a functional section to the first molding data based on device function information including information on the functional section provided in the three-dimensional molding apparatus, or changing the control data included in the first molding data; and a third step of molding the three-dimensional molded article by controlling the three-dimensional molding apparatus according to 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, a three-dimensional modeling system, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that generates modeling data indicating the shape of a modeling layer for modeling each layer to be laminated by dividing a three-dimensional object to be modeled in units of lamination pitch, and controls a modeling operation based on the modeling data.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a three-dimensional modeling apparatus has functions specific to the apparatus, in order to perform modeling using modeling data generated by general-purpose software, it is necessary to manually add control data for controlling the functions specific to the apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, which manufactures a three-dimensional object by laminating layers using a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. This method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising: a first step of obtaining first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path; a second step of generating second shaping data by adding control data for controlling the functional unit to the first shaping data based on device function information including information on the functional unit provided in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus, or by changing the control data included in the first shaping data; and a third step of controlling the three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to the second shaping data to shape the three-dimensional object.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional shaping system is provided. The three-dimensional shaping system includes an information processing apparatus and a three-dimensional shaping apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a first shaping data acquisition unit that acquires first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path; and a second shaping data generation unit that generates second shaping data by adding control data for controlling the functional unit to the first shaping data based on device function information including information on the functional unit provided in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus, or by changing the control data included in the first shaping data. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a second shaping data acquisition unit that acquires the second shaping data; and a shaping control unit that shapes a three-dimensional object on the stage by discharging a shaping material from the discharge unit while relatively moving the discharge unit with respect to the stage and laminating layers according to the second shaping data.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a first modeling data acquisition unit that acquires first modeling data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a modeling material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path, and based on apparatus function information including information on functional units provided in a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, generates second modeling data by adding control data for controlling the functional units to the first modeling data or by changing control data included in the first modeling data.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the three-dimensional modeling system 10 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions orthogonal to each other are shown. The X and Y directions are directions parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is a direction along the vertically upward direction. The arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also appropriately shown in other figures so that the illustrated directions correspond to those in FIG. 1. In the following description, when specifying the direction, the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure is defined as "+", and the opposite direction is defined as "-", and positive and negative signs are used together in the direction notation. Hereinafter, the +Z direction is also referred to as "up" and the -Z direction is also referred to as "down".

[0010] The three-dimensional modeling system 10 includes a three-dimensional modeling device 100 and an information processing device 400. The three-dimensional modeling device 100 includes a control unit 300 for controlling each part of the three-dimensional modeling device 100. The control unit 300 and the information processing device 400 are interconnected via a predetermined communication interface.

[0011] The three-dimensional modeling device 100 includes a modeling unit 110 that generates and discharges a modeling material, a modeling stage 210 that serves as a base for the three-dimensional model, and a moving mechanism 230 that controls the discharge position of the modeling material. At least the modeling unit 110 and the stage 210 among these are arranged in a chamber (not shown). The chamber is provided with a chamber heater 130 for heating the inside of the chamber. The chamber heater 130 is controlled by the control unit 300.

[0012] Under the control of the control unit 300, the modeling unit 110 discharges the modeling material obtained by plasticizing the solid-state material onto the stage 210. The modeling unit 110 includes a material supply unit 20 that is a supply source of the raw material before being converted into the modeling material, a plasticizing unit 30 that converts the raw material into the modeling material, and a discharge unit 60 that discharges the modeling material.

[0013] The material supply unit 20 supplies the raw material MR to the plasticizing unit 30. The material supply unit 20 is constituted by, for example, a hopper that stores the raw material MR. The material supply unit 20 is connected to the plasticizing unit 30 via the communication path 22. The raw material MR is input into the material supply unit 20 in the form of pellets, powder, or the like. In the present embodiment, a pellet-shaped ABS resin material is used.

[0014] The plasticizing unit 30 plasticizes the raw material MR supplied from the material supply unit 20 to generate a paste-shaped modeling material that exhibits fluidity, and guides it to the ejection unit 60. In the present embodiment, "plasticization" is a concept that includes melting, and is to change from a solid state to a state having fluidity. Specifically, in the case of a material in which glass transition occurs, plasticization is to raise the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. In the case of a material in which glass transition does not occur, plasticization is to raise the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0015] The plasticizing unit 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.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the lower surface 48 side of the flat screw 40. The flat screw 40 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in a state where the positional relationship between the upper surface 47 and the lower surface 48 shown in FIG. 1 is reversed in the vertical direction for easy understanding of the technology. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the upper surface 52 side of the barrel 50. The flat screw 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the height in the axial direction, which is the direction along its central axis, is smaller than the diameter. The flat screw 40 is arranged such that the rotation axis RX, which is the center of rotation thereof, is parallel to the Z direction.

[0017] The flat screw 40 is housed in the screw case 31. The upper surface 47 side of the flat screw 40 is connected to the drive motor 32, and the flat screw 40 rotates within the screw case 31 by the rotational driving force generated by the drive motor 32. The drive motor 32 operates under the control of the control unit 300. Note that the flat screw 40 may be driven by the drive motor 32 via a speed reducer.

[0018] On the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40, which is a plane intersecting the rotation axis RX, a spiral groove portion 42 is formed. The communication passage 22 of the material supply unit 20 described above communicates with the groove portion 42 from the side surface of the flat screw 40. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the groove portion 42 is formed in three portions separated by ridge portions 43. Note that the number of groove portions 42 is not limited to three, and may be one, or two or more. The groove portion 42 is not limited to a spiral shape, and may be a helical shape or an involute curve shape, or may be a shape extending in an arc from the central portion toward the outer periphery.

[0019] 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 portion 42 of the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 and the upper surface 52 of the barrel 50. The raw material MR is supplied from the material supply unit 20 into this space between the flat screw 40 and the barrel 50 through the material inlet 44 shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] A barrel heater 58 for heating the raw material MR supplied into the groove portion 42 of the rotating flat screw 40 is embedded in the barrel 50. A communication hole 56 is provided at the center of the barrel 50. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed on the upper surface 52 of the barrel 50, which are connected to the communication hole 56 and extend spirally from the communication hole 56 toward the outer periphery. Note that one end of the guide groove 54 may not be connected to the communication hole 56. Also, the guide groove 54 can be omitted.

[0021] The raw material MR supplied into the groove portion 42 of the flat screw 40 flows along the groove portion 42 by the rotation of the flat screw 40 while being plasticized in the groove portion 42, and is guided as a modeling material to the central portion 46 of the flat screw 40. The paste-like modeling material that has flowed into the central portion 46 and exhibits fluidity is supplied to the discharge portion 60 through the communication hole 56 provided at the center of the barrel 50. Note that in the modeling material, not all types of substances constituting the modeling material need to be melted. The modeling material only needs to be converted into a state having fluidity as a whole by melting at least some types of substances among the substances constituting the modeling material.

[0022] The discharge portion 60 includes a nozzle 61 that discharges the modeling material, a flow path 65 of the modeling material provided between the flat screw 40 and the nozzle opening 62, a discharge control portion 77 that controls the discharge of the modeling material, and a fiber supply portion 80.

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

[0024] An upper heater 120 for suppressing a temperature drop of the modeling material discharged onto the stage 210 is disposed around the nozzle 61. The upper heater 120 is controlled by the control portion 300.

[0025] The discharge control portion 77 includes a discharge adjustment portion 70 that opens and closes the flow path 65, and a suction portion 75 that sucks and temporarily stores the modeling material.

[0026] 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 the present embodiment, the discharge adjustment unit 70 is constituted by a butterfly 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 constituted 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, that is, the discharge amount of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61, by controlling the rotation angle of the butterfly valve using the first drive unit 74. The discharge adjustment unit 70 can adjust the discharge amount of the modeling material and can control the on / off of the outflow of the modeling material.

[0027] The suction unit 75 is connected in the flow path 65 between the discharge adjustment unit 70 and the nozzle opening 62. 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 trailing phenomenon in which the modeling material hangs like a thread being pulled from the nozzle opening 62. In the present embodiment, the suction unit 75 is constituted by 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 constituted by, for example, a stepping motor or a rack and pinion mechanism that converts the rotational force of the stepping motor into the translational movement of the plunger.

[0028] The fiber supply unit 80 supplies fibers into the flow path 65. The fiber supply unit 80 includes a fiber storage unit 81 and a fiber cutting mechanism 82. A roll around which fibers are wound is arranged in the fiber storage unit 81. The fiber storage unit 81 and the flow path 65 communicate with each other through an introduction path 83 that connects the fiber storage unit 81 and the flow path 65.

[0029] The fiber is a bundle of fiber materials with a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. For example, the fiber is a bundled fiber material in which carbon fibers with a diameter of 10 micrometers per fiber are bundled by a bundling agent. As the fiber, various materials having a higher elastic modulus than the resin material, such as glass fibers, can be applied in addition to carbon fibers.

[0030] The fiber is sent out from the fiber storage part 81 and introduced into the flow path 65 through the introduction path 83 by rotating the roll around which the fiber is wound under the control of the control part 300. The fiber introduced into the flow path 65 flows through the flow path 65 along the flow of the shaping material flowing through the flow path 65. By introducing the fiber into the interior of the shaping material flowing through the flow path 65, a composite material of the shaping material and the fiber is formed. The composite material formed in the flow path 65 flows through the flow path 65 and is sent out from the nozzle opening 62 of the nozzle 61 toward the stage 210.

[0031] The fiber cutting mechanism 82 includes a cutter that protrudes into the introduction path 83. The cutter is driven under the control of the control part 300 to cut the fiber in the introduction path 83. Note that the fiber cutting mechanism 82 may be provided around the nozzle opening 62 to cut the composite material of the fiber and the shaping material sent out from the nozzle 61.

[0032] The fiber supply part 80 may be used when forming a three-dimensional shaped object with the composite material. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 may form a three-dimensional shaped object using only the shaping material without using the composite material.

[0033] The stage 210 is arranged at a position facing the nozzle opening 62 of the nozzle 61. In the first embodiment, the shaping surface 211 of the stage 210 facing the nozzle opening 62 of the nozzle 61 is arranged to be parallel in the X and Y directions, that is, the horizontal direction. The stage 210 is provided with a stage heater 212 for suppressing the rapid cooling of the shaping material discharged onto the stage 210. The stage heater 212 is controlled by the control part 300.

[0034] Under the control of the control unit 300, the moving mechanism 230 changes the relative position between the stage 210 and the nozzle 61. In this embodiment, the position of the nozzle 61 is fixed, and the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210. The moving mechanism 230 is composed of a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 210 in three axial directions of the X, Y, and Z directions by the driving force of three motors. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the movement of the nozzle 61 means moving the nozzle 61 or the discharge unit 60 relative to the stage 210.

[0035] In addition, in other embodiments, instead of the configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210, a configuration may be adopted in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210 while the position of the stage 210 is fixed. Also, 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 adopted. Even with these configurations, the relative positional relationship between the nozzle 61 and the stage 210 can be changed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 is provided with one shaping unit 110, but the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 may be provided with two or more shaping units 110. In this case, for example, different shaping materials are discharged from different shaping units 110. A unique flat screw number is assigned to the flat screw 40 provided in each shaping unit 110. Also, in this embodiment, the discharge unit 60 is provided with one nozzle 61, but the discharge unit 60 may be provided with two or more nozzles 61. In this case, for example, shaping materials with different line widths are discharged from different nozzles 61. When the discharge unit 60 is provided with two or more nozzles 61, the discharge unit 60 is provided with a switching valve for switching the nozzles 61 to be used. A unique nozzle number is assigned to each nozzle 61.

[0037] The information processing apparatus 400 is composed of a computer including one or a plurality of processors 410, a storage device 420 including a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device, and an input / output interface for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside. The processor 410 functions as a first modeling data acquisition unit 411 and a second modeling data generation unit 412 by executing a program stored in the storage device 420. A display unit 450 composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like is connected to the information processing apparatus 400.

[0038] The first modeling data acquisition unit 411 acquires first modeling data from another computer, a recording medium, or the storage device 420. The first modeling data includes path information representing the movement path of the discharge unit 60 that moves while discharging the modeling material, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path. The movement path of the discharge unit 60 is a path along which the nozzle 61 moves along the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210 while discharging the modeling material.

[0039] The path information is composed of a plurality of partial paths. Each partial path is a linear path represented by a start point and an end point. The partial path is also referred to as a "path". The discharge amount information is individually associated with each partial path. In the present embodiment, the discharge amount represented by the discharge amount information is the total amount of the modeling material discharged in the partial path.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the first modeling data. The information described in the first modeling data PD is read and interpreted in order from top to bottom shown in FIG. 4. As described above, the first modeling data PD includes path information and discharge amount information. In FIG. 5, the path information is indicated by the path parameter PP. The discharge amount information is indicated by the discharge parameter PM.

[0041] The path parameter PP specifies the coordinates (X, Y) in a coordinate system with the X and Y directions on the shaping surface 211 of the stage 210 where the nozzle 61 should be located next. In the first shaping data PD, two path parameters PP arranged in sequence n , PP n+1 form a set that identifies one partial path. The subscript "n" is an arbitrary natural number.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 4, two path parameters PP n , PP n+1 form a set that identifies a partial path in which the nozzle 61 moves +10 unit distances in the Y direction from the coordinates (10, 10) to the coordinates (10, 20).

[0043] The ejection parameter PM is appended after the path parameter PP. The ejection parameter PM specifies the amount of shaping material ejected while the nozzle 61 moves to the coordinates indicated by that path parameter PP. That is, the ejection parameter PM represents the total amount of shaping material placed on the stage 210 as the nozzle 61 moves along the partial path represented by the first shaping data PD.

[0044] In the example of FIG. 4, an integer value indicating the amount of shaping material represented by the default unit amount is appended after the letter "E" indicating that it is the ejection parameter PM. In this example, it is specified that 10 unit amounts of shaping material are ejected while moving the nozzle 61 from the coordinates (10, 10) to the coordinates (10, 20).

[0045] The first shaping data PD is data that can also be used when shaping a three-dimensional shaped object using a shaping apparatus of a type that does not have an ejection adjustment unit 70 or a suction unit 75. Specifically, the first shaping data PD has the same data type as the data input to a material extrusion type 3D printer. Such first shaping data PD is generated using known software called a so-called slicer.

[0046] The second modeling data generation unit 412 of the information processing apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 1 generates second modeling data by adding control data for controlling these functional units to the first modeling data or changing the control data included in the first modeling data based on the apparatus function information including the information of the functional units provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. The functional units provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 are, for example, the barrel heater 58, the upper heater 120, the stage heater 212, the chamber heater 130, the discharge adjustment unit 70, the suction unit 75, and the fiber supply unit 80. In addition to the path parameters and discharge parameters shown in FIG. 4, the second modeling data generation unit 412 generates the second modeling data by adding control data for controlling these functional units to the first modeling data or changing the control data already included in the first modeling data. The second modeling data is data used by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 to model a three-dimensional object.

[0047] The control unit 300 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. The control unit 300 is composed of a computer including one or a plurality of processors 310, a storage device 320 including a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. The processor 310 functions as the second modeling data acquisition unit 311 and the shaping control unit 312 by executing the program stored in the storage device 320. Instead of being composed of a computer, the control unit 300 may be realized by a configuration combining circuits.

[0048] The second modeling data acquisition unit 311 acquires the second modeling data from the information processing apparatus 400.

[0049] The shaping control unit 312 forms a three-dimensional object on the stage 210 by discharging a shaping material from the discharge unit 60 while relatively moving the discharge unit 60 with respect to the stage 210 in accordance with the path information and discharge amount information included in the second shaping data, thereby laminating layers. At this time, the shaping control unit 312 forms a three-dimensional object while controlling each functional unit provided in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 in accordance with various control data included in the second shaping data.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 forms a three-dimensional object in accordance with the second shaping data. In the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100, as described above, the raw material MR in a solid state is plasticized to generate the shaping material MM. The control unit 300 discharges the shaping material MM from the nozzle 61 while changing the position of the nozzle 61 with respect to the stage 210 in a direction along the shaping surface 211 of the stage 210 while maintaining the distance between the shaping surface 211 of the stage 210 and the nozzle 61. The shaping material MM discharged from the nozzle 61 is continuously deposited in the moving direction of the nozzle 61.

[0051] The control unit 300 repeats the movement of the nozzle 61 to form a layer ML. After forming one layer ML, the control unit 300 relatively moves the position of the nozzle 61 with respect to the stage 210 in the Z direction. Then, a three-dimensional object is formed by further stacking the layer ML on the layer ML formed so far.

[0052] For example, when the control unit 300 completes one layer of the layer ML, or when there are a plurality of independent shaping regions in each layer, the control unit 300 may temporarily interrupt the discharge of the shaping material from the nozzle 61. In this case, the discharge adjustment unit 70 closes the flow path 65 to stop the discharge of the shaping material MM from the nozzle opening 62, and the suction unit 75 temporarily suctions the shaping material in the nozzle 61. After changing the position of the nozzle 61, the control unit 300 discharges the shaping material in the suction unit 75 and opens the flow path 65 by the discharge adjustment unit 70 to resume the deposition of the shaping material MM from the changed position of the nozzle 61.

[0053] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional shaping process executed in the three-dimensional shaping system 10. The three-dimensional shaping process is a process for realizing a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. In this three-dimensional shaping process, the processes from step S100 to step S180 shown in Figure 6 are executed in the information processing apparatus 400, and the processes from step S190 to step S200 are executed in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus.

[0054] In step S100, the first shaping data acquisition unit 411 of the information processing apparatus 400 acquires first shaping data from another computer, a recording medium, or the storage device 420. Step S100 is also referred to as the first step. In step S100, the information processing apparatus 400 may acquire the first shaping data by generating the first shaping data from three-dimensional CAD data using a slicer.

[0055] In step S110, the second shaping data generation unit 412 acquires apparatus function information including information on the functional units provided in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the apparatus function information is stored in the storage device 320 provided in the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100. The second shaping data generation unit 412 acquires the apparatus function information from the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100. In other embodiments, the second shaping data generation unit 412 may acquire the apparatus function information from the storage device 420 provided in the information processing apparatus 400, or from another computer or a recording medium.

[0056] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the apparatus function information. The apparatus function information includes information on the functional units peculiar to the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 is configured to be able to receive commands, control data, and specifications of control values for controlling each functional unit included in the apparatus function information. In the present embodiment, the apparatus function information includes at least any one of information on the discharge control unit 77, information on the plasticizing unit 30, information on the heater for heating the shaping material, and information on the fiber supply unit 80.

[0057] As information regarding the ejection control unit 77, for example, at least one of "butterfly valve position" and "plunger position" is included.

[0058] As information regarding the plasticizing unit 30, at least a part of "material used", "flat screw number", "flat screw rotation speed", "flat screw pressure value" is included.

[0059] As information regarding the heater, at least a part of "stage temperature", "chamber temperature", "barrel temperature", "upper heater temperature" is included.

[0060] As information regarding the fiber supply unit 80, at least one of "unwinding of the fiber material from the fiber supply unit 80" and "cutting of the fiber by the fiber cutting mechanism 82" is included.

[0061] In addition, the device function information includes, for example, "nozzle offset coordinates", "nozzle number used", "nozzle movement speed", "speed control according to the line width", "nozzle movement acceleration", "speed control during corner movement", "stop control at acute angles", "cleaning process", "retraction position", "signals for start / end of processing", etc.

[0062] In the present embodiment, in the device function information, limit values of control values for controlling these functional units are recorded in association with the information of each functional unit. The limit value of the control value represents the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the control value. The limit value of the control value is also referred to as the limit control value.

[0063] In step S120 of FIG. 6, the second modeling data generation unit 412 determines whether the device function information acquired in step S110 conforms to the data format of the first modeling data. Step S120 is also referred to as a determination step. If it is determined that the device function information does not conform to the data format of the first modeling data, in step S130, the second modeling data generation unit 412 notifies an error and terminates the three-dimensional modeling process. The second modeling data generation unit 412 notifies an error, for example, by displaying on the display unit 450 that the data format does not conform. The case where the device function information does not conform to the data format of the first modeling data is, for example, a case where the data format of the first modeling data is a data format of a material extrusion method, but the device function information is information representing the functions of a stereolithography format or an inkjet format device. The first modeling data and the device function information may be attached with header information indicating their data formats in order to easily identify those data formats.

[0064] In step S120, if it is determined that the device function information conforms to the data format of the first modeling data, the second modeling data generation unit 412 executes, in step S140, a control data addition process of adding control data for controlling the functional units of the three-dimensional modeling device 100 to the first modeling data based on the device function information.

[0065] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the control data addition process. In the present embodiment, when "stop control at an acute angle" is included in the device function information, a stop command is added as control data to the first modeling data. Specifically, the second modeling data generation unit 412 determines whether the angle at which two consecutive partial paths are connected is an acute angle. If the connection angle is an acute angle, at the connection position of those two partial paths, the movement of the nozzle 61 is temporarily stopped and a stop command for temporarily closing the discharge adjustment unit 70 is added. In FIG. 8, "STOP" is indicated at the position on the path where the stop command is added.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which a stop command is added to the first shaping data. The stop command VC includes a close command VCc, a movement stop command VCs, and an open command VCo in this order. The close command VCc represents a command to close the flow path 65 in the discharge adjustment unit 70 and stop the discharge of the shaping material from the nozzle 61. The movement stop command VCs represents a command to stop the movement of the nozzle 61. The movement stop command VCs may include a parameter representing a stop time. When a parameter representing a stop time is not included, the movement stop command VCs represents a command to stop the movement of the nozzle 61 for a predetermined time. The open command VCo represents a command to open the flow path 65 in the discharge adjustment unit 70 and allow the discharge of the shaping material from the nozzle 61. In this way, by adding the stop command VC between the path parameters PP, the movement of the nozzle 61 is temporarily stopped and the discharge of the shaping material is temporarily stopped at the connection position between the partial paths.

[0067] In the control data addition process in this embodiment, in addition, for example, when "cleaning process" is included in the device function information, a command for discarding the shaping material in the nozzle 61 at a predetermined position every time a predetermined number of layers are stacked is added as control data. Further, when "cutting of fibers by the fiber cutting mechanism 82" is included in the device function information, a command for cutting the fibers by the fiber cutting mechanism 82 after the discharge of the shaping material is stopped is added as control data. As described above, in the control data addition process of step S140 in FIG. 6, various control data are automatically added to the first shaping data based on the information included in the device function information.

[0068] After the control data addition process is executed, in step S150, the second modeling data generation unit 412 determines whether the control value of each functional unit included in the first modeling data exceeds the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information. For example, when the first modeling data acquired in step S100 already includes control data for specifying "stage temperature", "chamber temperature", "barrel temperature", and "upper heater temperature", and it is determined that those values exceed the limit control values of the respective functional units recorded in the device function information acquired in step S110, the second modeling data generation unit 412, in step S160, notifies an error using the display unit 450 and changes those control data to values that do not exceed the limit control values, more specifically, to the values of the limit control values. For example, when the already specified control data is "360 °C" and the limit control value included in the device function information is "350 °C", the control data is changed to "350 °C". When the second modeling data generation unit 412 determines that the control value of each functional unit included in the first modeling data does not exceed the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information, the process of step S160 is skipped. Note that in step S160, the second modeling data generation unit 412 may omit the error notification. Steps S160 and step S140 described above are also collectively referred to as the second step.

[0069] Note that in the process of step S160, it may be that an error is notified when the control value exceeds the limit control value by a predetermined range. Also, when the control value exceeds the limit control value by a predetermined range, instead of automatically correcting the control value to the limit control value, it may be possible to accept the specification of the control value from the user. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the three-dimensional modeling apparatus from performing an unintended operation due to the automatic change of the control value.

[0070] In step S170, the second shaping data generation unit 412 executes a user-specified information reflection process. This process is for changing the first shaping data based on the device function information and the information specified by the user. For example, when the user specifies the temperature of a heater such as the stage temperature or chamber temperature included in the device function information, the second shaping data generation unit 412 adds control data for specifying the set temperature of each heater to the temperature specified by the user to the first shaping data in step S170. Also, for example, when the user specifies the rotation speed of the flat screw 40, the second shaping data generation unit 412 adds control data for setting the rotation speed of the flat screw 40 to the rotation speed specified by the user to the first shaping data in step S170. Note that in step S170, if the temperature of the heater or the rotation speed of the flat screw is already set in the first shaping data, those control data may be changed to the values specified by the user.

[0071] By the processes from step S100 to step S170 described above, the addition of control data to the first shaping data and the change of the control data included in the first shaping data are performed, and the second shaping data is generated from the first shaping data according to the device function information acquired from the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100. In step S180, the second shaping data generation unit 412 transmits the second shaping data thus generated to the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100.

[0072] In step S190, the second shaping data acquisition unit 311 of the control unit 300 receives the second shaping data from the information processing apparatus 400.

[0073] In step S200, the shaping control unit 312 of the control unit 300 executes a shaping process of shaping a three-dimensional object on the stage 210 by discharging a shaping material from the discharge unit 60 while relatively moving the discharge unit 60 with respect to the stage 210 according to the second shaping data to stack layers. In this shaping process, the second shaping data acquisition unit 311 interprets various commands, control data, and control values included in the second shaping data, and controls each functional unit such as the shaping unit 110, the movement mechanism 230, the discharge control unit 77, the fiber supply unit 80, the upper heater 120, the chamber heater 130, the stage heater 212, and the barrel heater 58 according to them. Step S200 is also referred to as the third step.

[0074] According to the three-dimensional shaping system 10 of the present embodiment described above, control data can be added to the first shaping data PD including path information and discharge amount information, or the control data included in the first shaping data PD can be changed based on the device function information of the three-dimensional shaping device 100, and the second shaping data for shaping a three-dimensional object can be generated. Therefore, the labor of manually adding control data to use the functions of the three-dimensional shaping device can be saved, and a three-dimensional object can be efficiently shaped. In addition, since the control data for controlling the functions of the three-dimensional shaping device can be added to the first shaping data after the generation or acquisition of the first shaping data, when only the control data needs to be changed or corrected, it is not necessary to regenerate the first shaping data itself. Therefore, the time required for generating the second shaping data can be shortened.

[0075] Further, in the present embodiment, since the device function information is acquired from the three-dimensional shaping device 100, for example, the labor of selecting the device function information of the corresponding three-dimensional shaping device from a plurality of device function information can be saved.

[0076] Further, in the present embodiment, since an error is notified when the device function information acquired from the three-dimensional shaping device 100 does not conform to the data format of the first shaping data, it is possible to prevent the three-dimensional shaping device 100 from malfunctioning due to incorrect shaping data.

[0077] Further, in the present embodiment, since the second modeling data can be generated based on the device function information and the information specified by the user, for example, various parameters such as the temperature of the heater and the rotation speed of the flat screw can be specified by the user himself. Therefore, the manufacturing conditions of the three-dimensional shaped object can be flexibly changed.

[0078] Also, in the present embodiment, when the control value of the functional unit included in the first modeling data exceeds the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information, the control value included in the first modeling data is automatically changed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the malfunction of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 due to a control value exceeding the limit control value, and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 can be operated properly.

[0079] B. Other Embodiments: (B1) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the functional units of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 may not include at least a part of the upper heater 120, the chamber heater 130, the stage heater 212, the fiber supply unit 80, the discharge adjustment unit 70, and the suction unit 75.

[0080] (B2) In the above embodiment, the process in step S120 in the three-dimensional modeling process shown in FIG. 6, that is, the process of determining whether the device function information conforms to the data format of the first modeling data, may be omitted.

[0081] (B3) In the above embodiment, either one of the control data addition process in step S140 and the control value change process in step S160 in the three-dimensional modeling process shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted.

[0082] (B4) In the above embodiment, the process in step S170 of the three-dimensional modeling process shown in FIG. 6, that is, the user-specified information reflection process, may be omitted. That is, the second modeling data generation unit 412 may not receive the designation of the control value from the user.

[0083] (B5) In the above embodiment, by driving both the discharge adjustment unit 70 and the suction unit 75, a temporary stop of the discharge of the modeling material is realized. On the contrary, for example, only the discharge adjustment unit 70 or only the suction unit 75 may be operated to temporarily stop the discharge.

[0084] (B6) In the above embodiment, the shaping unit 110 plasticizes the material by means of the flat screw 40. On the contrary, the shaping unit 110 may, for example, plasticize the material by rotating an in-line screw, or may plasticize a filamentous material with a heater.

[0085] (B7) In the above embodiment, the discharge adjustment unit 70 constituted by a butterfly valve is used to adjust the flow rate of the modeling material. On the contrary, the flow rate of the modeling material may be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the flat screw 40.

[0086] (B8) In the above embodiment, the material extrusion method of laminating the plasticized material is described as an example, but it can be applied to various methods such as the inkjet method, the DMD method (Direct Metal Deposition), and the binder jet method. For example, first modeling data in inkjet format is acquired, and control data for controlling the functional unit is added to the first modeling data or the control data included in the first modeling data is changed based on the device function information including the information of the functional unit provided in the inkjet device, thereby generating second modeling data.

[0087] (B9) In the above-described embodiment, pellet-shaped ABS resin is used as the raw material supplied to the material supply unit 20. In contrast, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 can form a three-dimensional model using, for example, various materials such as a thermoplastic material, a metal material, or a ceramic material as the main material. The "main material" means the central material that forms the shape of the three-dimensional model and means a material that occupies a content rate of 50% by weight or more in the three-dimensional model. The above-described modeling materials include those in which the main material is melted alone and those in which some components contained together with the main material are melted into a paste state.

[0088] When a thermoplastic material is used as the main material, in the plasticizing unit 30, the material is plasticized to generate a modeling material.

[0089] As the thermoplastic material, for example, the following thermoplastic resin materials can be used. <Examples of thermoplastic resin materials> General-purpose engineering plastics such as polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate; engineering plastics such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone.

[0090] The material having thermoplasticity may be mixed with pigments, metals, ceramics, and in addition, additives such as wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, etc. The material having thermoplasticity is plasticized and converted into a molten state by the rotation of the flat screw 40 and the heating of the barrel heater 58 in the plasticizing section 30. The shaped material generated by the melting of the material having thermoplasticity is discharged from the nozzle 61 and then cured by the temperature drop.

[0091] It is desirable that the material having thermoplasticity be heated above its glass transition point and injected from the nozzle 61 in a completely molten state. For example, the ABS resin has a glass transition point of about 120°C and it is desirable that it be about 200°C at the time of injection from the nozzle 61.

[0092] In the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100, instead of the material having thermoplasticity described above, for example, the following metal materials may be used as the main material. In this case, it is desirable that a component that melts during the generation of the shaped material be mixed with the powder material obtained by pulverizing the following metal material, and the mixture be put into the plasticizing section 30 as the raw material. <Examples of metal materials> Single metals of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), or alloys containing one or more of these metals. <Examples of the alloy> Maraging steel, stainless steel, cobalt chromium molybdenum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, cobalt chromium alloy.

[0093] In the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100, it is possible to use a ceramic material as the main material instead of the above-mentioned metal material. Examples of the ceramic material include oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride. When using a metal material or a ceramic material as described above as the main material, the shaping material disposed on the stage 210 may be cured by sintering by laser irradiation or hot air.

[0094] The powder materials of the metal materials and ceramic materials input as raw materials into the material supply unit 20 may be a mixed material in which powders of a single metal, alloy powders, or ceramic material powders are mixed in a plurality of types. Further, the powder materials of the metal materials and ceramic materials may be coated with, for example, a thermoplastic resin as exemplified above or another thermoplastic resin. In this case, in the plasticizing unit 30, it may be assumed that the thermoplastic resin melts and fluidity is exhibited.

[0095] For example, the following solvents can also be added to the powder materials of the metal materials and ceramic materials input as raw materials into the material supply unit 20. The solvents can be used by combining one or more selected from the following. <Examples of Solvents> Water; (Poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; acetate esters such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl-n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, and acetylacetone; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol; tetraalkylammonium acetates; sulfoxide solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; pyridine solvents such as pyridine, γ-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine; tetraalkylammonium acetate (for example, tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); ionic liquids such as butyl carbitol acetate, etc.

[0096] In addition, for the powder materials of metal materials and ceramic materials input as raw materials to the material supply unit 20, for example, the following binders can also be added. <Examples of Binders> Acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin, or other synthetic resins, or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polyamide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or other thermoplastic resins.

[0097] C. Other Forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the forms described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Also, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0098] (1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by laminating layers using a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. This method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, including: a first step of obtaining first modeling data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a modeling material and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path; a second step of generating second modeling data by adding control data for controlling the functional unit to the first modeling data or changing the control data included in the first modeling data based on apparatus function information including information on the functional unit provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus; and a third step of controlling the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second modeling data to model the three-dimensional object. According to such an aspect, based on the apparatus function information of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, control data can be added to the first modeling data including path information and discharge amount information, or the control data included in the first modeling data can be changed to generate second modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object. Therefore, it is possible to save the labor of manually adding control data for using the functions of the apparatus, and it is possible to efficiently model a three-dimensional object.

[0099] (2) In the above aspect, a step of obtaining the apparatus function information from the three-dimensional modeling apparatus may be provided. In such an aspect, for example, it is possible to save the labor of selecting the apparatus function information of the corresponding three-dimensional modeling apparatus from among a plurality of apparatus function information.

[0100] (3) In the above aspect, a determination step of determining whether the obtained apparatus function information conforms to the data format of the first modeling data may be included.

[0101] (4) In the above aspect, in the determination step, when it is determined that the apparatus function information does not conform to the data format of the first modeling data, a step of notifying an error may be provided. In such an aspect, it is possible to suppress malfunction of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

[0102] (5) In the above-described embodiment, in the second step, the second modeling data may be generated based on the device function information and the information specified by the user. In such a form, for example, the manufacturing conditions of the three-dimensional model can be flexibly changed.

[0103] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the functional unit may include at least any one of a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of the modeling material, a plasticizing unit that plasticizes the raw material to generate the modeling material, a heater that heats the modeling material, and a fiber supply unit that supplies fibers to the modeling material.

[0104] (7) In the above-described embodiment, in the second step, when the control value of the functional unit included in the first modeling data exceeds the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information, the control value included in the first modeling data may be changed to a value that does not exceed the limit control value. According to such a form, the three-dimensional modeling device can be operated properly.

[0105] (8) In the above-described embodiment, in the second step, when the control value of the functional unit included in the first modeling data exceeds the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information, an error may be notified. According to such a form, it is possible to suppress the three-dimensional modeling device from operating unintentionally due to the automatic change of the control value.

[0106] (9) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional shaping system is provided. This three-dimensional shaping system includes an information processing device and a three-dimensional shaping device. The information processing device acquires first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path. A first shaping data acquisition unit, and based on device function information including information on functional units provided in the three-dimensional shaping device, adds control data for controlling the functional units to the first shaping data, or modifies the control data included in the first shaping data to generate second shaping data. A second shaping data generation unit. The three-dimensional shaping device includes a second shaping data acquisition unit that acquires the second shaping data, and a shaping control unit that shapes a three-dimensional object on the stage by discharging the shaping material from the discharge unit while relatively moving the discharge unit with respect to the stage and laminating layers according to the second shaping data.

[0107] (10) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing device is provided. This information processing device includes a first shaping data acquisition unit that acquires first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path, and based on device function information including information on functional units provided in the three-dimensional shaping device, adds control data for controlling the functional units to the first shaping data, or modifies the control data included in the first shaping data to generate second shaping data. A second shaping data generation unit.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0108] 10…Three-dimensional shaping system, 20…Material supply unit, 22…Communication path, 30…Plasticizing unit, 31…Screw case, 32…Drive motor, 40…Flat screw, 42…Groove portion, 43…Rib portion, 44…Material inlet, 46…Central portion, 47…Upper surface, 48…Lower surface, 50…Barrel, 52…Upper surface, 54…Guide groove, 56…Communication hole, 58…Barrel heater, 60…Discharge unit, 61…Nozzle, 62…Nozzle opening, 65…Flow path, 70…Discharge adjustment unit, 74…First drive unit, 75…Suction unit, 76…Second drive unit, 77…Discharge control unit, 80…Fiber supply unit, 81…Fiber storage unit, 82…Fiber cutting mechanism, 83…Introduction path, 100…Three-dimensional shaping device, 110…Shaping unit, 120…Upper heater, 130…Chamber heater, 210…Stage, 211…Shaping surface, 212…Stage heater, 230…Moving mechanism, 300…Control unit, 310…Processor, 311…Second shaping data acquisition unit, 312…Shaping control unit, 320…Memory device, 400…Information processing device, 410…Processor, 411…First shaping data acquisition unit, 412…Second shaping data generation unit, 420…Memory device, 450…Display unit

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by laminating layers using a three-dimensional shaping apparatus, comprising: a first step of obtaining first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path; a second step of generating second shaping data by adding control data for controlling the functional unit to the first shaping data based on apparatus function information including information on the functional unit provided in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus, or by changing the control data included in the first shaping data; a third step of controlling the three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to the second shaping data to shape the three-dimensional object; wherein the functional unit includes at least one of a plasticizing unit that plasticizes a raw material to generate the shaping material, a heater that heats the shaping material, and a fiber supply unit that supplies fibers to the shaping material; a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

2. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, comprising a step of obtaining the apparatus function information from the three-dimensional shaping apparatus.

3. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a determination step of determining whether the obtained apparatus function information conforms to the data format of the first shaping data.

4. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 3, wherein in the determination step, when it is determined that the apparatus function information does not conform to the data format of the first shaping data, an error is notified.

5. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the second step, the second shaping data is generated based on the apparatus function information and information specified by a user.

6. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the functional unit does not include the plasticizing unit and the heater, and includes the fiber supply unit.

7. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein In the second step, when the control value of the functional unit included in the first shaping data exceeds the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information, the control value included in the first shaping data is changed to a value that does not exceed the limit control value, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object.

8. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, In the second step, when the control value of the functional unit included in the first shaping data exceeds the limit control value of the functional unit included in the device function information, an error is notified, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object.

9. A three-dimensional shaping system including an information processing device and a three-dimensional shaping device, The information processing device, A first shaping data acquisition unit that acquires first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path; A second shaping data generation unit that generates second shaping data by adding control data for controlling the functional unit to the first shaping data or changing the control data included in the first shaping data based on device function information including information on the functional unit provided in the three-dimensional shaping device, The three-dimensional shaping device, A second shaping data acquisition unit that acquires the second shaping data, A shaping control unit that shapes a three-dimensional shaped object on the stage by discharging the shaping material from the discharge unit while relatively moving the discharge unit with respect to the stage and laminating layers according to the second shaping data, The functional unit includes at least any one of a plasticizing unit that plasticizes a raw material to generate the shaping material, a heater that heats the shaping material, and a fiber supply unit that supplies fibers to the shaping material. Three-dimensional shaping system.

10. A first shaping data acquisition unit that acquires first shaping data including path information representing a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path; A second shaping data generation unit that generates second shaping data by adding control data for controlling the functional unit to the first shaping data or changing the control data included in the first shaping data based on device function information including information on the functional unit provided in the three-dimensional shaping device, Comprising The functional unit includes at least one of a plasticizing unit that plasticizes a raw material to generate the shaping material, a heater that heats the shaping material, and a fiber supply unit that supplies fibers to the shaping material. An information processing apparatus.

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