Cross-sectional shape data generating method and cross-sectional shape data generating device

Abstract

To provide a cross-sectional shape data generation method, a cross-sectional shape data generator, and a program that can easily generate cross-sectional shape data suitable for laminate molding of a modeled object when molding the modeled object, and reduce the burden on the user.SOLUTION: A cross-sectional shape data generation method includes an information acquisition process for acquiring three-dimensional shape information of a modeled object W, an identification process for identifying a face Ai that the modeled object W has in the three-dimensional shape information, a generation process for generating cross sections Ai,j (j=1 to N) of the modeled object W parallel to the identified face Ai at intervals, a calculation process for calculating an area distribution of the cross section Ai,j, a determination process for determining the stacking direction or the installation surface on which the molding object W is to be installed in a base material 13 based on the feature quantity of the area distribution, and an output process for outputting the cross section Ai,j corresponding to the determined stacking direction or installation surface Ai as cross-sectional shape data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cross-sectional shape data generating method, a cross-sectional shape data generating device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a growing need for 3D printers as a means of production, and research and development is being conducted in the aircraft industry, etc., with a view to practical application of 3D printers to metal materials in particular. 3D printers that use metal materials use a heat source such as a laser or arc to melt metal powder or metal wire, and then layer the molten metal to create a model.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a manufacturing technology that defines a three-dimensional model of a workpiece product, creates a second data file consisting of a set of continuous relative spatial coordinates that depict the path of the tool in this three-dimensional model, and positions and operates the welding head relative to the processing table so that its relative movement follows the path of the second data file. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,274,839 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When additive manufacturing a molded object, it is considered to laminate from cross sections in various directions due to the high degree of freedom of additive manufacturing. In this case, from the viewpoint of molding quality, it is required to have many slice cross sections that are easy to manufacture, and from the viewpoint of productivity, it is required to have a small number of torch passes.

[0006] Therefore, in order to obtain cross-sectional data by slicing a complex object in the appropriate layering direction while taking these conditions into consideration, know-how and trial and error are often required, which places a heavy burden on users such as designers.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cross-sectional shape data generation method, a cross-sectional shape data generation device, and a program that can easily generate cross-sectional shape data suitable for additive manufacturing of an object when manufacturing the object, thereby reducing the burden on the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention comprises the following configurations. (1) A cross-sectional shape data generation method for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used in manufacturing the molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the method comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification step of identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generating step of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation step of calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination step of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; an output step of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data; Including, Cross-sectional shape data generation method. (2) A cross-sectional shape data generation device for generating cross-sectional shape data of a shaped object used in manufacturing the shaped object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification unit that identifies a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation unit that generates cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation unit for calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination unit that determines the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output unit that outputs the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data; having Cross-sectional shape data generator. (3) A program for generating cross-sectional shape data of a shaped object used when manufacturing the shaped object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the program comprising: On the computer, an information acquisition function for acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification function for identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation function of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation function for calculating the area distribution of the cut surface; a determination function of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output function of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data; In order to realize this, program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when manufacturing a model, cross-sectional shape data suitable for additive manufacturing of the model can be easily generated, thereby reducing the burden on the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an additive manufacturing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the object-forming control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a shaped object. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the cross-sectional shape data generating device. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing a model made up of three-dimensional shape information of a shaped object. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a model formed from three-dimensional shape information of a shaped object. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram showing a model made up of three-dimensional shape information of a shaped object. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an image of zebra analysis. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating the generation of a cutting plane based on the identified plane. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating the generation of a cutting plane based on the identified plane. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram illustrating the generation of a cutting plane based on the identified plane. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a graph showing the area distribution of the generated cut surfaces. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a graph showing the area distribution of the generated cut surfaces. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a graph showing the area distribution of the generated cut surfaces. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cut surface at the overhang portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a shaped object illustrating a case where the stacking direction is determined by dividing the region. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is a schematic side view of a shaped object having an overhang portion. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a schematic side view of a shaped object having an overhang portion. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11C is a schematic side view of a shaped object having an overhang portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a shaped object having an overhang and having the same area of ​​the cut surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The additive manufacturing system shown here uses a heat source device to melt a filler material (welding wire) held by a manipulator to form a weld bead, and then repeatedly stacks the formed weld beads into a desired shape to form a molded object made of stacked weld beads. The cross-sectional shape data generation device generates cross-sectional shape data to be used in the additive manufacturing device that manufactures such a molded object.

[0012] <Additive manufacturing system configuration> An example of the configuration of an additive manufacturing system that is operated by the control information generated by the control information modifying device described above will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an additive manufacturing system. The additive manufacturing system 100 includes a manufacturing control device 15, a manipulator 17, a filler material supply device 19, a manipulator control device 21, and a heat source control device 23.

[0013] The manipulator control device 21 controls the manipulator 17 and the heat source control device 23. A controller (not shown) is connected to the manipulator control device 21, and an operator can instruct any operation of the manipulator control device 21 via the controller.

[0014] The manipulator 17 is, for example, an articulated robot, and a torch 11 attached to the tip shaft supports the filler material M so that it can be continuously supplied. The torch 11 holds the filler material M protruding from the tip. The position and posture of the torch 11 can be set arbitrarily in three dimensions within the range of the degrees of freedom of the robot arm constituting the manipulator 17. The manipulator 17 preferably has six or more degrees of freedom, and is preferably one that can arbitrarily change the axial direction of the heat source at the tip. The manipulator 17 may be in various forms, such as a four- or more-axis articulated robot as shown in FIG. 1, or a robot equipped with angle adjustment mechanisms on two or more orthogonal axes.

[0015] The torch 11 has a shield nozzle (not shown), through which shielding gas is supplied. The shielding gas blocks the atmosphere and prevents oxidation and nitridation of the molten metal during welding, thereby suppressing welding defects. The arc welding method used in this configuration may be either a consumable electrode type such as shielded metal arc welding or carbon dioxide gas arc welding, or a non-consumable electrode type such as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding or plasma arc welding, and is selected appropriately depending on the object to be formed. Here, gas metal arc welding will be used as an example. In the case of a consumable electrode type, a contact tip is disposed inside the shield nozzle, and a filler material M to which current is supplied is held by the contact tip. The torch 11 holds the filler material M and generates an arc from the tip of the filler material M in a shielding gas atmosphere.

[0016] The filler material supply device 19 supplies the filler material M toward the torch 11. The filler material supply device 19 includes a reel 19a around which the filler material M is wound, and a feeding mechanism 19b that feeds the filler material M from the reel 19a. The filler material M is fed to the torch 11 by the feeding mechanism 19b while being sent in the forward or reverse direction as needed. The feeding mechanism 19b is not limited to a push type that is arranged on the filler material supply device 19 side and pushes out the filler material M, but may also be a pull type or a push-pull type that is arranged on a robot arm or the like.

[0017] The heat source control device 23 is a welding power source that supplies the power required for welding by the manipulator 17. The heat source control device 23 adjusts the welding current and welding voltage supplied when forming a bead by melting and solidifying the filler material M. In addition, the filler material supply speed of the filler material supply device 19 is adjusted in conjunction with the welding conditions such as the welding current and welding voltage set by the heat source control device 23.

[0018] The heat source for melting the filler material M is not limited to the arc described above. Other heat sources may be used, such as a heating method that combines an arc and a laser, a heating method that uses plasma, or a heating method that uses an electron beam or a laser. Heating with an electron beam or a laser allows for more precise control of the amount of heat, which can maintain the state of the formed bead more appropriately and contribute to further improving the quality of the laminated structure. The material of the filler material M is also not particularly limited. The type of filler material M used may vary depending on the characteristics of the object W, such as mild steel, high-tensile steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, or nickel-based alloy.

[0019] The molding control device 15 controls the above-mentioned parts in an integrated manner.

[0020] The additive manufacturing system 100 configured as described above operates in accordance with a manufacturing program created based on a manufacturing plan for the object W. The manufacturing program is composed of numerous command codes and is created based on an appropriate algorithm depending on various conditions, such as the shape, material, and heat input of the object. According to this manufacturing program, the torch 11 is moved while the supplied filler material M is melted and solidified, and a linear weld bead, which is a molten solid of the filler material M, is formed on the base material 13. That is, the manipulator control device 21 drives the manipulator 17 and the heat source control device 23 based on a predetermined program provided by the manufacturing control device 15. In response to commands from the manipulator control device 21, the manipulator 17 moves the torch 11 while melting the filler material M with an arc to form a weld bead. By sequentially forming and stacking weld beads in this manner, a desired object W is obtained.

[0021] 2 is a functional block diagram of the forming control device 15. The forming control device 15 includes an information acquisition unit 31, an identification unit 33, a generation unit 35, a calculation unit 37, a determination unit 39, and an output unit 41, and functions as a cross-sectional shape data generation device.

[0022] The above-mentioned molding control device 15 is configured by hardware using an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer). Each function of the molding control device 15 is realized by a control unit (not shown) reading and executing a program having a specific function stored in a storage device (not shown). Examples of the storage device include a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) which is a volatile storage area, a read only memory (ROM) which is a non-volatile storage area, and storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). Examples of the control unit include a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor unit (MPU), or a dedicated circuit. In addition to the above-mentioned configurations, the molding control device 15 may be another computer remotely connected to the additive manufacturing system 100 via a network or the like.

[0023] <Sculpture> Next, a description will be given of an example of the object W manufactured by the above-described additive manufacturing system 100. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the object W, showing an example of the object W.

[0024] 3, the object W has multiple block parts BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4. These block parts BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4 are each formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with block part BL2 stacked on block part BL1, and block part BL3 stacked on block part BL2, and block part BL4 is formed on the side of block part BL3. Block part BL2 is bonded to block part BL1, block part BL3 is bonded to block part BL2, and block part BL4 is bonded to block part BL3.

[0025] <Control information generation procedure> Next, a process for generating cross-sectional shape data for the above-mentioned shaped object W will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the cross-sectional shape data generating device.

[0026] (Information acquisition process) The information acquisition unit 31 acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object W to be formed (step S1). The acquired three-dimensional shape information may be, for example, information on the object W generated by commercially available CAD editing software or the like, or may be point cloud data acquired by three-dimensionally measuring the shape of the object W using a shape measurement sensor.

[0027] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing models formed from 3D shape information representing the shaped object W in various orientations. Fig. 5A shows orientation PA in which block portions BL1, BL2, and BL3 are arranged so as to overlap one another in order from below, with block portion BL4 extending laterally. Fig. 5B shows orientation PB in which block portions BL1, BL2, and BL3 are arranged laterally in order, with block portion BL4 extending downward. Fig. 5C shows orientation PC in which block portions BL3, BL2, and BL1 are arranged so as to overlap one another in order from below, with block portion BL4 extending laterally from block portion BL3.

[0028] (Identification process) The identification unit 33 identifies the surfaces of the object W in the three-dimensional shape information (step S2). To distinguish and identify the surfaces in the model of the object W, for example, surface analysis means such as zebra analysis, curvature analysis, and gradient analysis can be used.

[0029] When using zebra analysis, two surfaces can be identified by evaluating the continuity between them. Specifically, for two surfaces, if the position, tangent, and curvature are continuous, if the position and tangent are continuous, or if only the position is continuous, the two surfaces can be identified as separate surfaces.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an image of zebra analysis. As shown in Fig. 6, parallel lines are projected onto the surface of the shaped object W to create a striped pattern (zebra line) Z, and the point where the continuity of this striped pattern Z changes is used as a boundary to identify two separate adjacent surfaces.

[0031] (generation process) The generation unit 35 identifies the surface A i A cross section parallel to i,j (j=1 to N) are generated at intervals (step S3). i,j For example, the identified surface A i It can be generated by extracting multiple sufficiently large planes that are parallel to and intersect with the object W. At this time, multiple cutting planes A i,j The intervals between the series of cut surfaces A may be arbitrarily specified by the designer, but are preferably set to approximately the height of the weld beads that are planned to be stacked when forming the object W. i,j The generation of identified surface A i This is performed for each row and the corresponding index j (j = 1 to N) is assigned.

[0032] 7A to 7C show the identified surface A i Cutting plane A based on i,j 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating the generation of a cut plane A1 parallel to a plane A1 formed by the lower surface of the block part BL1 in the object W in the orientation PA in which the block parts BL1, BL2, and BL3 are arranged so as to overlap in this order from below. 1,j 7B shows a case where the blocks BL1, BL2, and BL3 are arranged side by side in the object W in the orientation PB, and the cut plane A2 is parallel to the plane A2 formed by the side surface of the block BL1. 2,j 7C shows a case where the blocks BL3, BL2, and BL1 are arranged in order from the bottom up in the shaped object W in the PC orientation, and the cut plane A3 is parallel to the plane A3 formed by the top surface of the block BL3. 3,j This shows the case where the surfaces are generated with intervals. i Cutting surface A i,j Generate.

[0033] (calculation process) The calculation unit 37 calculates the surface A i Area S i and the generated cut surface A i,j The area of ​​each of S i,jThe area distribution is calculated as a transition of the area distribution (step S4). i,j Surface A identified during the generation of i When calculating the area distribution, the cross section A i,j Surface A identified during the generation of i Area S i,j When calculating this area distribution, in addition to the area, the cross section A i,j It is also possible to calculate the circumference at each point and then calculate the distribution of this circumference.

[0034] 8A to 8C show the generated cross section A i,j Graph showing the area distribution of each of the cross section A i,j The areas are displayed in the order of the index j (j=1 to N) attached to each of the cut surfaces. FIG. 8A shows the area distribution of the object W in the orientation PA. FIG. 8B shows the area distribution of the object W in the orientation PB. FIG. 8C shows the area distribution of the object W in the orientation PC. In FIGS. 8A to 8C, the cut surface A i,j Area S i,j is the identified surface A i The images may be displayed in order of their interval from the first image.

[0035] (Decision process) The determining unit 39 extracts a feature value for each calculated area distribution and determines the layering direction of the weld beads based on the feature value (step S5). Specifically, for each area distribution, the number of layers that satisfy the following formula (1) is counted, and the area distribution with the maximum number of layers is extracted.

[0036] S i,j ≧S i,(j+1) …(1)

[0037] Here, the area distribution satisfies equation (1), and in particular, S i,j >S i,(j+1) When i,j On the other hand, if equation (1) is not satisfied, the area of ​​the cut surface A i,jTherefore, by extracting the area distribution that maximizes the number of layers that satisfy the formula (1) as a feature, it is possible to easily and smoothly stack weld beads when forming the object W. i,j The number of identified faces A i Since it varies depending on the cutting surface A i,j Alternatively, the ratio of the number of layers that satisfy the above formula (1) to the total number of layers may be calculated and compared.

[0038] Then, the surface A in the area distribution where the number of layers that satisfy equation (1) is the maximum i is the bottom surface that will be installed on the base material 13, and each cut surface A i,j The orientation direction of each cross section A is the lamination direction. i,j The direction of movement of the center of gravity or the central position may be regarded as the orientation direction.

[0039] 8A to 8C, the cut surfaces A i,j Among the number of layers, the identified surface A i Side identified as surface A i The number of layers Ls with a larger area than the opposite side is three in position PA (see FIG. 8A), two in position PB (see FIG. 8B), and one in position PC (see FIG. 8C), with position PA being the largest. In other words, among these three positions PA, PB, and PC, selecting position PA makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of overhanging portions and to easily and smoothly laminate weld beads to form the object W.

[0040] (Output process) The output unit 41 outputs a cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or installation surface as cross-sectional shape data (step S6). In the three examples of orientations PA, PB, and PC, the cut surface (A1,j in FIG. 7A) corresponding to the stacking direction or installation surface (A1 in FIG. 7A) of the orientation PA determined and selected in the determination step is output as the cut shape data. Then, if the additive manufacturing system 100 stacks weld beads to form the object W based on this output cross-sectional shape data, the object W can be smoothly formed while suppressing the occurrence of overhanging portions.

[0041] Here, if the stacking direction and the installation surface are determined without performing the processing of this configuration example, it would be necessary to check the area of ​​the surface that will be used as the bottom surface by rotating the model of the object W around an axis many times. Considering the combinations when rotating the model of the object W around three rotation axes, the number of combinations becomes enormous, which takes a long time to search and places a heavy burden on users such as designers.

[0042] In contrast, according to the cross-sectional shape data generating method according to this configuration example, the surface A of the object W to be formed is i Based on this information, the lamination direction of the molten metal or the installation surface on which the object W is to be installed on the base material 13 can be mechanically determined. i Since the layering direction or installation surface is determined by limiting it to the identified surface A, verification is performed with a finite number of patterns, compared to the case where the model of the object W is rotated around three rotation axes and searched, which reduces the burden on users such as designers. i A cross section parallel to i,j Since the area distribution of (j=1 to N) is taken into consideration, the stacking direction and installation surface can be determined taking into account the presence or absence and amount of overhanging portions.

[0043] When determining the installation surface and stacking direction to be installed on the base material 13, the specified surface A i Area S i and cutting surface A i,j Area S i,j In relation to S i ≧S i,j The area distribution for which the above holds is extracted, and the identified surface Ai is the installation surface in contact with the base material 13, and a plurality of cut surfaces A i,j By determining the installation surface and the layering direction in this way, the layer with a relatively large amount of deposition can be placed on the bottom when the weld beads are layered, and the amount of sagging of the layered metal can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, the average value of the area distribution may be used as a feature quantity when determining the placement surface and the layering direction. Here, the larger the average value of the area distribution, the fewer the number of layers required to layer the object W. Therefore, by selecting a distribution with the largest average value of the area distribution, it is possible to extract a layering direction and placement surface that minimizes the number of layers and the number of weld bead passes.

[0045] Furthermore, if there are multiple area distributions extracted from the feature amount, any one of them may be selected arbitrarily.

[0046] Incidentally, even in the posture PA shown in FIG. 5A, the portion where the block portion BL4 protrudes laterally from the block portion BL3 is S in the above formula (1) in the area distribution (see FIG. 8A). i,j ≧S i,(j+1) In this case, the cut surface A i,j The object W may be divided into multiple regions based on the area distribution of the overhanging portions. It is preferable to set a threshold value for the area change rate in advance, taking into consideration the effect of the overhanging portions on the area distribution. This makes it easy to identify the layer to be extracted as the overhanging portion.

[0047] When dividing the region, for example, cutting plane A i(j+1) Cutting surface A i,j The area R1 is divided into an area of ​​the same shape as the area R1 and the remaining area R2. After that, the processes from the identification step (step S1) to the determination step (step S5) are executed for each of the areas R1 and R2.

[0048] 10, by extracting the stacking direction (arrow D2 in FIG. 10) of the remaining region (block portion BL4) individually with respect to the stacking direction (arrow D1 in FIG. 10) of the main region (block portions BL1, BL2, BL3), it becomes possible to form the object W without being restricted by the installation surface, which can significantly reduce the difficulty of forming the object. At this time, the dot product of the main stacking direction (arrow D1 in FIG. 10) and the secondary stacking direction (arrow D2 in FIG. 10) may be calculated to identify the rotation angle required to form the overhang portion of the positioner that supports the base material 13.

[0049] Here, an example of a case where a stacking direction is determined by dividing a shaped object having an overhang portion into a plurality of regions will be described. 11A to 11C are schematic side views of a shaped object having an overhang portion. 11A, the object W1 has multiple block parts BL11, BL12, BL13, BL14, and BL15. Block part BL12 is stacked on top of block part BL11, and block parts BL13 and BL14 extend laterally from block part BL12, and further block part BL15 extends upward from block part BL14.

[0050] When this object W1 is additively manufactured using the bottom surface of block part LB11 as the installation surface for base material 13, the portions of block parts BL13 and BL14 that are wider than the lower layers in the stacking direction D11 become overhanging parts. Therefore, in the case of this object W1, as shown in Fig. 11B, the area is divided into the area of ​​block parts BL11 and BL12 and the area of ​​block part BL13 and the area of ​​block parts BL14 and BL15 that become overhanging parts, and the processes from the identification step (step S1) to the determination step (step S5) are performed for the area of ​​block part BL13 and the area of ​​block parts BL14 and BL15 to set the stacking directions D12 and D13.

[0051] Furthermore, in the region of block parts BL14, BL15, the portion of block part BL15 that is wider than the lower layer in stacking direction D13 becomes an overhanging part. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 11C, the region of block parts BL14, BL15 is divided into the region of block part BL14 and the region of block part BL15 that becomes the overhanging part, and the processes from the identification step (step S1) to the determination step (step S5) are performed for the region of block part BL15 to set the stacking direction D14.

[0052] In this way, when there are areas that are wider than the lower layer, by dividing them into small parts and setting individual stacking directions, the occurrence of overhanging areas can be suppressed and the product can be molded smoothly and satisfactorily.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 12, in the obliquely inclined columnar object W2, the bottom surface A i And this side A i A cross section parallel to i,j (j=1 to N) may have the same area. In other words, in this model W2, the cross section A i,j In this case, even though the area of ​​the upper layer is the same as that of the lower layer, the upper layer always overhangs the lower layer. i,j The direction of movement of the center of gravity or the central position may be regarded as the orientation direction, and this orientation direction may be set as the stacking direction.

[0054] As such, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also contemplates the mutual combination of the various components of the embodiments, as well as modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques, and these modifications and applications are included in the scope of protection sought.

[0055] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A cross-sectional shape data generation method for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used in manufacturing the molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the method comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification step of identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generating step of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation step of calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination step of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; an output step of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data; A cross-sectional shape data generation method including: According to this cross-sectional shape data generation method, the layering direction of the molten metal or the installation surface for placing the object on the base material can be mechanically determined based on information about the surfaces of the object to be formed, thereby reducing the burden on the user. Moreover, since the area distribution of the cut surfaces parallel to the identified surfaces is taken into consideration, the layering direction and the installation surface can be determined taking into account the presence or absence and amount of overhanging portions.

[0056] (2) The cross-sectional shape data generating method according to (1), wherein in the determining step, the feature amounts for the respective area distributions are compared to determine the bottom surface of the shaped object. This cross-sectional shape data generation method checks the area distribution of the cross section for each surface of the object to be formed, making it possible to comprehensively search for surfaces suitable for the bottom surface of the object. Furthermore, since the feature values ​​are compared only for identified surfaces, the comparison range can be limited to a finite number, eliminating the need for cumbersome processing such as rotating the object three-dimensionally to search for the bottom surface.

[0057] (3) The cross-sectional shape data generation method according to (1) or (2), wherein the feature amount is the area of ​​the identified surface, which is the maximum area in the area distribution. According to this cross-sectional shape data generation method, the surface with the largest area is set as the bottom surface, which not only ensures the most stable placement on the base material, but also reduces the amount of dripping when the molten metal is layered.

[0058] (4) A cross-sectional shape data generation method according to (1) or (2), wherein the feature is the number of layers in the adjacent cross sections that satisfy the relationship that the area of ​​the cross section on the identified surface side is equal to or greater than the area of ​​the cross section on the opposite side of the identified surface. According to this cross-sectional shape data generation method, it is possible to search for a stacking direction or installation surface that avoids stacking of overhanging portions as much as possible.

[0059] (5) the feature amount is a mean value of the area distribution, The cross-sectional shape data generation method according to (1) or (2), wherein in the determining step, the stacking direction or the installation surface is determined based on the value that maximizes the average value. According to this cross-sectional shape data generation method, the stacking direction or the installation surface is determined based on the value that maximizes the average value of the area distribution. Here, the number of layers of molten metal that are stacked on the molded object can be reduced as the average value of the area distribution increases. Therefore, if the stacking direction or the installation surface is determined based on the value that maximizes the average value of the area distribution, the total number of passes required can be easily reduced.

[0060] (6) A dividing step is further included in which, when a rate of change in area between a cut surface on the side of the identified surface and a cut surface adjacent to the identified surface on the opposite side is greater than a preset threshold value in the area distribution, a layer subsequent to the cut surface adjacent to the identified surface on the opposite side is divided into a plurality of regions; The cross-sectional shape data generation method according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the identifying step to the determining step are performed for each of the divided regions, and the stacking direction corresponding to each of the regions is determined. According to this cross-sectional shape data generating method, when an overhang clearly occurs, the part can be divided and the stacking direction suitable for the overhang part can be extracted separately.

[0061] (7) A cross-sectional shape data generation device for generating cross-sectional shape data of a shaped object used in manufacturing the shaped object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification unit that identifies a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation unit that generates cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation unit for calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination unit that determines the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output unit that outputs the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data; A cross-sectional shape data generating device having the above structure. This cross-sectional shape data generation device can mechanically determine the layering direction of the molten metal or the installation surface for placing the object on the base material based on information about the surfaces of the object to be formed, thereby reducing the burden on the user. Moreover, since it takes into account the area distribution of cut surfaces parallel to the identified surfaces, it can determine the layering direction and installation surface taking into account the presence or absence and amount of overhanging portions.

[0062] (8) A program for generating cross-sectional shape data of a shaped object used when manufacturing the shaped object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the program comprising: On the computer, an information acquisition function for acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification function for identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation function of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation function for calculating the area distribution of the cut surface; a determination function of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output function of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data; A program to make this happen. This program can mechanically determine the layering direction of the molten metal or the installation surface for placing the object on the base material based on information about the surfaces of the object to be formed, thereby reducing the burden on the user. Moreover, since it takes into account the area distribution of cut surfaces parallel to the identified surfaces, it can determine the layering direction and installation surface taking into account the presence or absence and amount of overhanging portions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 13 Base material 15. Forming control device (cross-sectional shape data generation device) 31 Information Acquisition Department 33 Identification unit 35 Generation part 37 Arithmetic section 39 Decision Section 41 Output section 100 Additive Manufacturing System A i surface A i,j Cut surface W sculpture

Claims

1. 1. A cross-sectional shape data generation method for generating cross-sectional shape data of a shaped object used in manufacturing a shaped object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the method comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification step of identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generating step of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation step of calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination step of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; an output step of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, In the determining step, the feature amounts for the respective area distributions are compared, and a surface from which the area distribution with the maximum feature amount is extracted is determined as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; the feature amount is the area of ​​the identified surface, which is the maximum area in the area distribution; Cross-sectional shape data generation method.

2. A cross-sectional shape data generation method for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used in manufacturing the molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification step of identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generating step of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation step of calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination step of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; an output step of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, In the determining step, the feature amounts for the respective area distributions are compared, and a surface from which the area distribution with the maximum feature amount is extracted is determined as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; The feature amount is the number of layers that satisfy a relationship that the area of ​​the cut surface on the identified surface side is equal to or greater than the area of ​​the cut surface on the opposite side to the identified surface, in the adjacent cut surfaces. Cross-sectional shape data generation method.

3. A cross-sectional shape data generation method for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used in manufacturing the molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification step of identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generating step of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation step of calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination step of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; an output step of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, In the determining step, the feature amounts for the respective area distributions are compared, and a surface from which the area distribution with the maximum feature amount is extracted is determined as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; the feature amount is a mean value of the area distribution, In the determining step, the stacking direction or the installation surface is determined based on the value that maximizes the average value. Cross-sectional shape data generation method.

4. A cross-sectional shape data generation method for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used in manufacturing the molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification step of identifying a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generating step of generating cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation step of calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination step of determining the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; an output step of outputting the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, In the determining step, the feature amounts for the respective area distributions are compared, and a surface from which the area distribution with the maximum feature amount is extracted is determined as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; a dividing step of dividing a layer subsequent to the cut surface adjacent to the identified surface on the opposite side into a plurality of regions when a rate of change in area between the cut surface on the identified surface side and the cut surface adjacent to the identified surface on the opposite side is greater than a preset threshold in the area distribution, performing the identifying step to the determining step for each of the divided regions, and determining the stacking direction corresponding to each of the regions; Cross-sectional shape data generation method.

5. 1. A cross-sectional shape data generation device for generating cross-sectional shape data of a shaped object used in manufacturing a shaped object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, the device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification unit that identifies a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation unit that generates cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation unit for calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination unit that determines the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output unit that outputs the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, the determining unit compares the feature amounts for the respective area distributions, and determines a surface from which the area distribution having the maximum feature amount is extracted as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; the feature amount is the area of ​​the identified surface, which is the maximum area in the area distribution; Cross-sectional shape data generator.

6. A cross-sectional shape data generation device for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used when manufacturing a molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification unit that identifies a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation unit that generates cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation unit for calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination unit that determines the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output unit that outputs the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, the determining unit compares the feature amounts for the respective area distributions, and determines a surface from which the area distribution having the maximum feature amount is extracted as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; The feature amount is the number of layers that satisfy a relationship that the area of ​​the cut surface on the identified surface side is equal to or greater than the area of ​​the cut surface on the opposite side to the identified surface, in the adjacent cut surfaces. Cross-sectional shape data generator.

7. A cross-sectional shape data generation device for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used when manufacturing a molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification unit that identifies a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation unit that generates cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation unit for calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination unit that determines the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output unit that outputs the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, the determining unit compares the feature amounts for the respective area distributions, and determines a surface from which the area distribution having the maximum feature amount is extracted as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; the feature amount is a mean value of the area distribution, the determining unit determines the stacking direction or the installation surface based on the value that maximizes the average value. Cross-sectional shape data generator.

8. A cross-sectional shape data generation device for generating cross-sectional shape data of a molded object used when manufacturing a molded object by repeatedly stacking molten metal in a stacking direction, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional shape information of the object; an identification unit that identifies a surface of the object in the three-dimensional shape information; a generation unit that generates cut surfaces of the object parallel to the identified surface at intervals; a calculation unit for calculating an area distribution of the cut surface; a determination unit that determines the stacking direction or a placement surface on which the object is to be placed on a base material, based on the feature amount of the area distribution; and an output unit that outputs the cut surface corresponding to the determined stacking direction or the determined installation surface as cross-sectional shape data, the determining unit compares the feature amounts for the respective area distributions, and determines a surface from which the area distribution having the maximum feature amount is extracted as the installation surface, which is a bottom surface of the object; a dividing unit that divides a layer subsequent to the cut surface adjacent to the identified surface on the opposite side into a plurality of regions when a rate of change in area between the cut surface on the identified surface side and the cut surface adjacent to the identified surface on the opposite side is greater than a preset threshold in the area distribution, determining the stacking direction corresponding to each of the divided regions; Cross-sectional shape data generator.

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