Information processing device, three-dimensional modeling system, three-dimensional modeling device, and information display method

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of confirming information related to molding quality in advance.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: a data processing unit that specifies a void region of a three-dimensional shaped object based on shaping data for shaping the three-dimensional shaped object, the shaping data including path information indicating a movement path of a discharge unit that moves while discharging a shaping material and discharge amount information indicating a discharge amount of the shaping material in the movement path; and a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, at least a part of first shape data indicating a shape of the three-dimensional shaped object generated based on the shaping data. The display control unit performs, on the display unit, a display that can specify the void region in at least a part of the first shape data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information display method, a three-dimensional printing system, and a three-dimensional printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding three-dimensional modeling systems, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for generating object data representing an object to be modeled by a 3D printer, and displaying a preview image based on the object data so that an operator can check the shape of the object in advance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-47623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As in Patent Document 1, displaying a preview image can prevent the creation of an object that the user does not intend. However, with conventional preview images, the user can only check the shape in advance, and it is difficult to check information related to the modeling quality in advance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device, the information processing device including: path information representing a movement path of a dispensing unit that moves while dispensing a modeling material; and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material along the movement path; a data processing unit that identifies void regions in a three-dimensional object based on modeling data for forming the three-dimensional object; and a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, at least a portion of first shape data representing a shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data; and the display control unit displays, on the display unit, the at least a portion of the first shape data in a manner that allows the void regions to be identified.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional printing system including: the information processing device; and a three-dimensional printing device that prints the three-dimensional object in accordance with the printing data.

[0007] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional printing apparatus connectable to the information processing apparatus.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information display method, the information display method including path information representing a movement path of a dispensing unit that moves while dispensing a modeling material, and discharge amount information representing an amount of the modeling material dispensed along the movement path, and including: an identifying step of identifying a void region in a three-dimensional object based on modeling data for forming the three-dimensional object; and a display step of displaying, on a display unit, at least a portion of first shape data representing a shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data, wherein, in the display step, the void region in at least a portion of the first shape data is displayed on the display unit in a manner that allows identification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flat screw. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a screw facing portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating how a three-dimensional object is formed. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a modeling data generation process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of layer data. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional modeling process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of first shape data having a gap region. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first display example of a gap region. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second display example of a gap region. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third display example of a gap region. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing voxels superimposed on the first modeling data. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mark displayed in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart of a void region identification process. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another display mode of the void occupancy rate. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an alert display. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of correction of shaping data. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of correction of the shaping data. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a state in which the void region has disappeared. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the state in which the void region has disappeared. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of first shape data in the shape of a truncated cone. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a cross section of the first shape data of FIG. 23. [Figure 25]FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example in which the void region shown in FIG. 24 is displayed using voxels. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing an example in which the internal region of each layer is filled with meandering paths. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the void region of FIG. 26 in voxels. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an example in which the internal region of each layer is filled with meandering paths. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the void region of FIG. 28 displayed in voxels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing system 10 according to a first embodiment. Arrows indicating mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are shown in FIG. 1. The X and Y directions are parallel to a horizontal plane, and the Z direction is a vertically upward direction. The arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown in other figures as appropriate so that the illustrated directions correspond to those in FIG. 1. In the following description, when specifying the direction, positive and negative signs are used in combination to indicate the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure, with "+" indicating the direction indicated by the arrow and "-" indicating the opposite direction. Hereinafter, the +Z direction will also be referred to as "up" and the -Z direction as "down."

[0011] The three-dimensional printing system 10 includes a control unit 101 and a three-dimensional printing device 100 connectable to the control unit 101. The three-dimensional printing device 100 includes a printing unit 110 that generates and dispenses a printing material, a printing stage 210 that serves as a base for the three-dimensional object, and a movement mechanism 230 that controls the dispensing position of the printing material. The three-dimensional printing device 100 may be housed in a chamber (not shown).

[0012] Under the control of the control unit 101, the modeling unit 110 melts a solid material to form a paste-like modeling material and discharges it onto the stage 210. The modeling unit 110 includes a material supply unit 20, which is a supply source of the material before it is converted into the modeling material, a modeling material generation unit 30 that converts the material into the modeling material, and a discharge unit 60 that discharges the modeling material.

[0013] The material supply unit 20 supplies raw material MR to the modeling material generation unit 30 for generating a modeling material. The material supply unit 20 is configured, for example, by a hopper that stores the raw material MR. The material supply unit 20 has a discharge outlet at its bottom. The discharge outlet is connected to the modeling material generation unit 30 via a communication passage 22. The raw material MR is fed into the material supply unit 20 in the form of pellets, powder, or the like. In this embodiment, pellet-shaped ABS resin material is used.

[0014] The modeling material generation unit 30 melts the raw material MR supplied from the material supply unit 20 to generate a paste-like modeling material that exhibits fluidity, and guides the modeling material to the discharge unit 60. The modeling material generation unit 30 has a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a flat screw 40, and a screw facing unit 50. The flat screw 40 is also called a rotor or a scroll, and the screw facing unit 50 is also called a barrel.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the lower surface 48 side of the flat screw 40. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the flat screw 40 shown in FIG. 2 is shown with the positional relationship between the upper surface 47 and the lower surface 48 shown in FIG. 1 reversed in the vertical direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the upper surface 52 side of the screw-facing portion 50. The flat screw 40 has a roughly cylindrical shape whose height in the axial direction, which is the direction along its central axis, is smaller than its diameter. The flat screw 40 is positioned so that the rotation axis RX, which is its rotation center, is parallel to the Z direction.

[0016] The flat screw 40 is housed in a screw case 31. An upper surface 47 of the flat screw 40 is connected to a drive motor 32, and the flat screw 40 rotates in the screw case 31 by the rotational driving force generated by the drive motor 32. The drive motor 32 is driven under the control of the control unit 101. The flat screw 40 may be driven by the drive motor 32 via a reducer.

[0017] A spiral groove 42 is formed on a lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40, which is a surface that intersects with the rotation axis RX. The communication passage 22 of the material supply unit 20 described above communicates with the groove 42 from the side surface of the flat screw 40. As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, three grooves 42 are formed, separated by ridges 43. The number of grooves 42 is not limited to three, and may be one, or two or more. The groove 42 is not limited to a spiral shape, but may also be a spiral or involute curve shape, or may have a shape that extends in an arc from the center to the outer periphery.

[0018] The lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 faces the upper surface 52 of the screw-facing portion 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 screw-facing portion 50. In the molding section 110, raw material MR is supplied from the material supply section 20 to the material inlet 44 shown in FIG. 2 into this space between the flat screw 40 and the screw-facing portion 50.

[0019] A heater 58 is embedded in the screw facing portion 50 to heat the raw material MR supplied into the groove portion 42 of the rotating flat screw 40. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed in the screw facing portion 50, connected to the communication holes 56 and extending spirally from the communication holes 56 toward the outer periphery. Note that one end of the guide grooves 54 does not have to be connected to the communication holes 56. Also, the guide grooves 54 can be omitted.

[0020] The raw material MR supplied into the groove 42 of the flat screw 40 is melted in the groove 42, flows along the groove 42 due to the rotation of the flat screw 40, and is guided to the central portion 46 of the flat screw 40 as a modeling material. The pasty modeling material that has flowed into the central portion 46 and exhibits fluidity is supplied to the discharge portion 60 through the communication hole 56 provided in the center of the screw facing portion 50 shown in FIG. 3. Note that it is not necessary for all types of substances constituting the modeling material to be melted. It is sufficient for the modeling material to be converted into a fluid state as a whole by melting at least some of the types of substances constituting the modeling material.

[0021] The discharge unit 60 includes a nozzle 61 that discharges the modeling material, a flow path 65 for the modeling material provided between the flat screw 40 and the nozzle 61, a flow rate adjustment unit 70 that opens and closes the flow path 65, and a suction unit 75 that sucks in and temporarily stores the modeling material. The nozzle 61 is connected to the communication hole 56 of the screw facing unit 50 through the flow path 65. The nozzle 61 discharges the modeling material generated in the modeling material generation unit 30 from an outlet 62 at the tip toward the stage 210. A heater may be arranged around the nozzle 61 to suppress a decrease in temperature of the modeling material discharged onto the stage 210.

[0022] The flow rate adjustment unit 70 changes the opening degree of the flow path 65 by rotating within the flow path 65. In this embodiment, the flow rate adjustment unit 70 is configured by a butterfly valve. The flow rate adjustment unit 70 is driven by a first drive unit 74 under the control of the control unit 101. The first drive unit 74 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor. The control unit 101 can adjust the flow rate of the modeling material flowing from the modeling material generation unit 30 to the nozzle 61, i.e., the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61, by using the first drive unit 74 to control the rotation angle of the butterfly valve. The flow rate adjustment unit 70 adjusts the flow rate of the modeling material and also controls the on / off of the outflow of the modeling material.

[0023] The suction unit 75 is connected in the flow path 65 between the flow rate adjustment unit 70 and the discharge port 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 tailing phenomenon in which the modeling material hangs like a string from the discharge port 62. In this embodiment, the suction unit 75 is configured with a plunger. The suction unit 75 is driven by a second drive unit 76 under the control of the control unit 101. The second drive unit 76 is configured with, for example, a stepping motor or a rack-and-pinion mechanism that converts the rotational force of the stepping motor into translational motion of the plunger.

[0024] For example, when the control unit 101 stops the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 61, it first controls the flow rate adjustment unit 70 to turn off the outflow of the modeling material, and then controls the suction unit 75 to suck the modeling material. When the control unit 101 resumes the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 61, it controls the suction unit 75 to discharge the material that has been sucked by the suction unit 75, and then controls the flow rate adjustment unit 70 to turn on the outflow of the modeling material. By controlling the flow rate adjustment unit 70 and the suction unit 75 in this way, the control unit 101 can improve the discharge responsiveness of the modeling material.

[0025] The stage 210 is disposed at a position facing the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61. In the first embodiment, the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210 facing the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 is disposed so as to be parallel to the X and Y directions, i.e., the horizontal direction. In the three-dimensional modeling process described below, the three-dimensional modeling device 100 forms a three-dimensional object by discharging a modeling material from the discharge unit 60 toward the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210 and stacking layers. The stage 210 may be provided with a heater to prevent the modeling material discharged onto the stage 210 from cooling rapidly.

[0026] The movement 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 movement mechanism 230 moves the stage 210. The movement mechanism 230 is configured by a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 210 in three axial directions, that is, the X, Y, and Z directions, using the driving forces of three motors. The movement mechanism 230 changes the relative positional relationship between the nozzle 61 and the stage 210 under the control of the control unit 101. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, movement of the nozzle 61 means moving the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210.

[0027] In other embodiments, instead of a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210, a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210 while the position of the stage 210 is fixed may be employed. Alternatively, a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210 in the Z direction and moves the nozzle 61 in the X and Y directions, or a configuration in which the moving mechanism 230 moves the stage 210 in the X and Y directions and moves the nozzle 61 in the Z direction may be employed. Even with these configurations, the relative positional relationship between the nozzle 61 and the stage 210 can be changed.

[0028] The control unit 101 is a control device that controls the overall operation of the 3D printing apparatus 100. The control unit 101 is configured by a computer including one or more processors, a storage device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. A display unit 105 configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or the like is connected to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 functions as a data processing unit 102 and a display control unit 103 by the processor executing programs and instructions loaded into the storage device. The data processing unit 102 generates printing data and identifies void regions in the 3D object. The display control unit 103 displays at least a portion of first shape data representing the shape of the 3D object generated based on the printing data on the display unit 105. The control unit 101 controls the printing unit 110, including the flow rate adjustment unit 70 and the discharge unit 60, and the movement mechanism 230, in accordance with the printing data generated by the data processing unit 102, to print the 3D object on the stage 210. The control unit 101 may be realized by a combination of multiple circuits for realizing at least some of the functions, instead of being configured by a computer. The control unit 101 is also called an information processing device.

[0029] The data processing unit 102 acquires second shape data, such as three-dimensional CAD data, that represents the shape of the three-dimensional object. Based on the second shape data, the data processing unit 102 generates layer data by slicing the shape of the three-dimensional object into multiple layers in accordance with the slicing direction specified by the user. Then, for each layer included in the layer data, the data processing unit 102 generates modeling data that includes path information that represents the movement path of the discharge unit 60 and discharge amount information that represents the amount of modeling material dispensed on each movement path. The movement path of the discharge unit 60 is the path along which the nozzle 61 moves along the modeling surface 211 of the stage 210 while discharging the modeling material. Furthermore, the data processing unit 102 identifies void regions in the three-dimensional object based on the first shape data and the second shape data. Details of the processing performed by the data processing unit 102 will be described later.

[0030] The path information is composed of multiple partial paths. Each partial path is a linear path represented by a start point and an end point. Discharge amount information is individually associated with each partial path. In this embodiment, the discharge amount represented by the discharge amount information is the amount of modeling material discharged per unit time on that partial path. Note that in other embodiments, the total amount of modeling material discharged on the entire partial path may be associated with each partial path as discharge amount information.

[0031] The first shape data and the second shape data described above are both data representing the shape of a three-dimensional object. However, the second shape data is data from which the modeling data is generated, such as data generated by modeling the three-dimensional object to be modeled using three-dimensional CAD software or three-dimensional CG software. The first shape data is image data used to convert the second shape data into modeling data through a modeling data generation process (described later) and display the shape of the three-dimensional object represented by the modeling data on the display unit 105. Therefore, when the second shape data is displayed on the display unit 105, an ideal three-dimensional object to be modeled is displayed on the screen. However, when the first shape data is displayed on the display unit 105, a three-dimensional object represented by linear modeling material stacked in layers is displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating how a three-dimensional object is formed in the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100. As described above, in the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100, the raw material MR in a solid state is supplied to the grooves 42 of the rotating flat screw 40 in the printing material generation unit 30, and the printing material MM is generated by melting the raw material MR. The control unit 101 discharges the printing material MM from the nozzle 61 in a direction along the printing surface 211 of the stage 210 while changing the position of the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210, while maintaining the distance between the printing surface 211 of the stage 210 and the nozzle 61. The printing material MM discharged from the nozzle 61 is continuously deposited in the direction of movement of the nozzle 61. By scanning the nozzle 61 in this manner, a linear portion LP, which is a printing portion extending linearly along the scanning path of the nozzle 61, is formed.

[0033] The control unit 101 forms layers ML by repeating the above-described scanning by the nozzle 61. After forming one layer ML, the control unit 101 moves the position of the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 210 in the Z direction. Then, a three-dimensional object is formed by stacking further layers ML on the layers ML that have been formed so far.

[0034] The control unit 101 may temporarily suspend the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 61, for example, when the nozzle 61 moves in the Z direction after completing one layer ML or when each layer has multiple independent modeling regions. In this case, the flow rate adjustment unit 70 closes the flow path 65 to stop the discharge of the modeling material MM from the discharge port 62. After changing the position of the nozzle 61, the control unit 101 opens the flow path 65 with the flow rate adjustment unit 70, thereby restarting the deposition of the modeling material MM from the new position of the nozzle 61.

[0035] 5 is a flowchart of the modeling data generation process executed by the control unit 101. The modeling data generation process is a process for generating modeling data to be used in modeling a three-dimensional object prior to modeling the three-dimensional object, and for realizing an information display method for visually displaying on the display unit 105 the shape of the three-dimensional object represented by the modeling data.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, in step S100, the data processing unit 102 slices externally input second shape data, such as three-dimensional CAD data representing the shape of a three-dimensional object, into multiple layers along a slice direction specified by the user to generate layer data. The layer data is data representing the contour of the three-dimensional object in a cross section along the slice direction. In Fig. 6, the portion corresponding to the contour represented by the layer data LD is indicated by a thick line. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the layer data LD.

[0037] In step S110, the data processing unit 102 generates shell forming data. The shell forming data is data for forming an outer shell region that contacts the inside of the contour represented by the layer data LD. The outer shell region is a region that affects the appearance of the three-dimensional object. The shell forming data includes a path for forming the outermost periphery that follows the contour of the three-dimensional object. The shell forming data may include not only path information for forming the outermost periphery of the three-dimensional object, but also path information that includes one lap around the inside of the outermost periphery. The number of laps of the path information for forming the outer shell region may be set arbitrarily.

[0038] 6 shows an example in which the outer shell forming data ZD1 is composed of outermost path information and path information for one circumference of the outer shell. This path information includes multiple partial paths PP1 for forming the outer shell region. As described above, each partial path PP1 is a linear path. Each partial path PP1 is associated with a discharge amount information indicating the amount of the forming material deposited on the stage 210 that will result in the desired line width Ss.

[0039] In step S120, the data processing unit 102 generates interior modeling data. The interior modeling data is data for modeling an interior region of the three-dimensional object, which is an area inside the outer shell represented by the layer data LD and is other than the outer shell region. The interior region has a greater impact on the strength of the three-dimensional object than on the appearance of the three-dimensional object.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows an example in which the interior molding data ZD2 is represented inside the outer shell molding data ZD1. In Fig. 6, the path information filling the interior area represented by the interior molding data ZD2 is formed in a meandering manner using multiple partial paths PP2. The path pattern filling the interior area can be selected from a variety of patterns.

[0041] As described above, each partial path PP2 is a linear path. Each partial path PP2 is associated with, as discharge amount information, a discharge amount at which the modeling material deposited on the stage 210 has a desired line width Ss. Note that, in this embodiment, the line width of the path modeled using the outer shell modeling data ZD1 and the line width of the path modeled using the internal modeling data ZD2 are the same line width Ss, but they may be different line widths.

[0042] Hereinafter, the outer shell shaping data generated in step S110 and the internal shaping data generated in step S120 are collectively referred to as “shaping data.” The shaping data includes path data that represents, by a plurality of partial paths, the path along which the discharging unit 60 moves while discharging the shaping material, and discharge amount data that includes discharge amount information that represents the amount of shaping material discharged on each partial path.

[0043] In step S130, the data processing unit 102 determines whether the above processing has been completed for all layer data. If not, the data processing unit 102 repeats the processing of steps S110 and S120 for the next layer data.

[0044] When the generation of the modeling data for all layer data has been completed, in step S140, the data processing unit 102 identifies void regions of the three-dimensional object based on the generated modeling data. The data processing unit 102 identifies regions of the layer data excluding regions filled by the modeling data as void regions. Then, in step S150, the display control unit 103 executes a display process to display, on the display unit 105, at least a portion of the first shape data representing the shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data. In this display process, the display control unit 103 displays, on the display unit 105, a display that allows void regions in at least a portion of the first shape data being displayed to be identified. The display that allows void regions to be identified is also referred to as void information. Specific examples of the void region identification process and the display process will be described later. When the display process is completed, the data processing unit 102 ends the modeling data generation process. The process of step S140 is also referred to as an identification process, and the process of step S150 is also referred to as a display process.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the three-dimensional printing process executed by the control unit 101. The three-dimensional printing process is a process executed by the control unit 101 using the printing data generated in the printing data generation process shown in Fig. 5. By executing the printing data generation process shown in Fig. 5 and the three-dimensional printing process shown in Fig. 7, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by the three-dimensional printing device 100 is realized.

[0046] In step S200, the control unit 101 acquires the shaping data generated by the shaping data generation process described above. Then, from the shaping data, the control unit 101 reads the outer shell shaping data and the inner shaping data described above for one of the layers constituting the three-dimensional object. In this embodiment, the control unit 101 first reads the shaping data for the layer located at the bottom in the direction of gravity among the layers constituting the three-dimensional object.

[0047] In step S210, the control unit 101 executes a first formation process. In the first formation process, the control unit 101 controls the movement mechanism 230 and the discharge unit 60 in accordance with the partial paths included in the outer shell formation data and the discharge amount information associated with each partial path, to form an outer shell region for the current layer.

[0048] In step S220, the control unit 101 executes a second formation process. In the second formation process, the control unit 101 controls the movement mechanism 230 and the discharge unit 60 in accordance with the partial paths included in the internal formation data and the discharge amount information associated with each partial path, to form an internal region for the current layer.

[0049] In step S230, the control unit 101 determines whether modeling has been completed for all layers. If modeling has not been completed for all layers, the control unit 101 returns the process to step S200, reads modeling data for the next layer, i.e., the layer adjacent to the current layer on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and executes the processes of steps S210 and S220. In this case, in step S210, prior to the discharge of the modeling material from the discharge unit 60, the control unit 101 controls the movement mechanism 230 to raise the position of the nozzle 61 by one layer above the stage 210. If modeling has been completed for all layers, the control unit 101 completes the three-dimensional modeling process.

[0050] The display processing executed in step S150 in Fig. 5 will be described below with reference to Figs. 8 to 13. In the display processing, the display control unit 103 can cause the display unit 105 to perform various displays described below. Each display described below can be switched by the user performing a predetermined operation on the control unit 101. Note that the display control unit 103 does not need to be able to perform all of the displays described below, as long as it is able to perform one or more of the displays.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of first shape data FD1 having a void region. The display control unit 103 displays the first shape data FD1 representing the shape of a three-dimensional object as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 105. The first shape data FD1 shown in FIG. 8 has multiple layers aligned along the slice direction specified when the layer data was generated, and a void region exists at the center of each layer. The display control unit 103 can display all or part of the first shape data FD1 by accepting a predetermined display operation from the user via an input device such as a mouse or keyboard. Therefore, the display control unit 103 can display any region, any cross section, any layer, or any partial path of the first shape data FD1 on the display unit 105.

[0052] 9 is a diagram showing a first display example of a void region. The display control unit 103 displays the outline OL of the layer specified by the user from the first shape data FD1, and can cause the display unit 105 to display an image IM representing the range of the void region in that layer.

[0053] 10 is a diagram showing a second display example of void areas. As shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 103 can display the contour OL of each of the multiple layers included in the first shape data FD1 in a wireframe format, and can also display an image IM representing the extent of the void area of ​​each layer on the display unit 105. By performing such a display, the user can simultaneously check the contours and void areas of the multiple layers.

[0054] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third display example of a void region. The display control unit 103 can display the void region by marking it with color on the first shape data FD1 that represents the entire three-dimensional object. By performing such a display, the user can confirm the shape and range of the void region on the three-dimensionally displayed first shape data FD1. In FIG. 11, the colored range is indicated by cross-hatching.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a horizontal cross section of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of FIG. 11. By receiving a predetermined operation from the user, the display control unit 103 can display any cross section of the first shape data FD1 shown in FIG. 11 as shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13. That is, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show only a portion of the first shape data FD1. The display control unit 103 can display the extent of the void area by coloring at least a portion of the first shape data FD1 displayed on the display unit 105. By performing such a display, the user can easily check the void area within the first shape data FD1.

[0056] According to the first embodiment described above, a display that allows identifiable void areas in the first shape data FD1 is provided on the display unit 105, so that void areas of a three-dimensional object that affect the modeling quality can be checked in advance before modeling. As a result, unexpected modeling failures can be suppressed.

[0057] 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the outline OL of the first shape data FD1 representing the three-dimensional object and the image IM representing the range of the void region can be displayed on the display unit 105. This makes it easy to confirm the size of the void region relative to the outline OL of the three-dimensional object.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the range of the void region in at least a portion of the first shape data FD1 displayed on the display unit 105 can be marked by coloring. This makes it easy to confirm the position and range of the void region in the three-dimensional object. Note that in this embodiment, the void region is marked by coloring, but it may also be marked by, for example, surrounding the periphery of the void region with a line, or by displaying an oval or rectangle in the range that includes the void region. Furthermore, the void region may also be marked with a specific symbol, such as a circle or a star.

[0059] In this embodiment, the shape of the three-dimensional object is sliced ​​in a slice direction selected by the user to generate layer data, and the void regions in a cross section along the slice direction can be displayed as void regions corresponding to the slice direction. This makes it easy to confirm the position and range of void regions in any cross section perpendicular to the layering direction of the three-dimensional object. Furthermore, by changing the slice direction in various ways, it is also possible to simulate overlapping void regions or slice directions with fewer voids.

[0060] B. Second embodiment: In the second embodiment, the void region is displayed in a manner different from that in the first embodiment. The configuration of the three-dimensional printing system 10 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing voxels VX superimposed on the first modeling data expressed in a wireframe. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing marks displayed in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the data processing unit 102 divides the area where the three-dimensional object exists into a plurality of voxels VX in a lattice pattern as shown in FIG. 14, and calculates the proportion of void area for each voxel VX as the void occupancy rate. Then, the display control unit 103 displays a mark corresponding to the void occupancy rate for each voxel VX on the display unit 105. Note that a voxel refers to a unit volume in three-dimensional space. The void occupancy rate is also referred to as a first rate.

[0062] 16 is a flowchart of the void region identification process executed by the data processing unit 102 in the second embodiment. This void region identification process is the process executed in step S140 shown in Fig. 5. In the void region identification process in this embodiment, first, in step S141, the data processing unit 102 identifies a layer to be processed.

[0063] Next, in step S142, the data processing unit 102 calculates, for each voxel included in the layer to be processed, an area A1 within the voxel to be filled with the modeling material. The area A1 to be filled is an area within the contour represented by the CAD data, i.e., the layer data obtained from the second shape data. For example, in the case of a three-dimensional object having holes or cavities therein, such as a donut-shaped three-dimensional object, the areas corresponding to the holes or cavities are not included in the area A1 to be filled.

[0064] In step S143, the data processing unit 102 calculates, for each voxel, an area A2 to be filled by the modeling data generated in steps S110 and S120 of Fig. 5. The area A2 to be filled by the modeling data is determined by the path included in the modeling data and the discharge amount associated with the path, and therefore the area A1 to be filled calculated in step S142 does not necessarily match the area A2 to be filled calculated in step S143.

[0065] In step S144, the data processing unit 102 specifies a void region for each voxel by excluding the region A2 to be filled with the modeling data calculated in step S143 from the region A1 to be filled calculated in step S142.

[0066] In step S145, the data processing unit 102 calculates the void occupancy rate for each voxel by dividing the void area identified in step S144, i.e., the area obtained by excluding the area A2 to be filled from the area A1 to be filled, by the area A1 to be filled calculated in step S142.

[0067] In step S146, the data processing unit 102 determines whether the series of processes described above has been completed for all layers, and if not, returns the process to step S141 and moves the layer to be processed. If the series of processes has been completed for all layers, the void region identification process ends.

[0068] When the void region identification process shown in FIG. 16 is completed, the display control unit 103 displays the void occupancy rate for each voxel on the display unit 105 in the display process shown in step S150 of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, voxels VX are displayed superimposed on the layer outline and void region displayed in a wireframe, and each voxel VX is marked with a color according to the void occupancy rate. In FIG. 15 and subsequent figures, the colored voxels are hatched. An example of the correspondence between the void occupancy rate classification and the mark color is shown below.

[0069] Vacancy occupancy 91~100% Red Void occupancy 71~90% Orange Vacancy occupancy 51~ 70% Yellow Void occupancy rate 21~50% Green Void occupancy 1~ 20% Blue Void occupancy rate 0% No coloring

[0070] According to the second embodiment described above, a colored mark corresponding to the void occupancy rate is displayed on the display unit 105 for each voxel VX, so that the void occupancy rate can be displayed in a heat map format. This allows the user to visually confirm the density of voids. Note that, although FIG. 15 shows the voxels VX superimposed on the layer outlines and void regions displayed in a wireframe format, the voxels VX may also be superimposed on the three-dimensional first shape data FD1 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the void area of ​​the three-dimensional object is identified based on the first shape data and layer data calculated from the second shape data, so that the void area can be identified more accurately than if the void area were identified from the first shape data alone.

[0072] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing another display mode of the void occupancy rate. In the second embodiment described above, when void regions exist at corresponding positions across multiple layers, the display control unit 103 may change the mark indicating the void occupancy rate of a voxel VX1 displayed on the display unit 105 in accordance with the void occupancy rate of a voxel VX2 in an adjacent layer. Specifically, for example, the data processing unit 102 executes the processes of steps S141 to S145 shown in FIG. 16 for two layers that overlap in a predetermined direction. Then, the void occupancy rate is calculated for each of the voxels VX1 and VX2 in the two layers. The void occupancy rate of one voxel VX1 to be displayed is referred to as a first rate, and the void occupancy rate of the other voxel VX2 is referred to as a second rate. Next, the data processing unit 102 changes the coloring of the voxel VX1 according to the first rate in accordance with the second rate of the voxel VX2 adjacent to the voxel VX1 in the stacking direction. For example, the display control unit 103 increases the coloring level of the voxel VX1 to be displayed, from yellow to orange, depending on the second proportion of the voxel VX2 that overlaps with the voxel VX1 in the stacking direction. This allows the user to visually confirm the density of voids across multiple layers. Note that the data processing unit 102 may increase the coloring level only when the void occupancy rates of adjacent voxels in the stacking direction are approximately the same.

[0073] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an alert display. In the second embodiment, the display control unit 103 may display an alert on the display unit 105 for voxels whose void occupancy rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined rate. As an example of the alert, the alert may be issued by pointing to the target voxel VX with an arrow, as shown in FIG. 18. Alternatively, the alert may be issued by blinking the target voxel VX, for example. Displaying the alert can prevent the strength of the three-dimensional object from decreasing unintentionally by the user.

[0074] Alerts may be issued for individual voxels, or may be specified for a certain range of voxel groups, such as 8 voxels (2x2x2) or 27 voxel groups (3x3x3). For example, for voxel groups where the total number of red and orange voxels is 80% or more, an alert indicating a "warning" may be displayed as an intensity reduction alert. Furthermore, for voxel groups where the total number of red and orange voxels is 60-80%, an alert indicating a "caution" may be displayed as an intensity reduction alert. "Warning" and "caution" can be distinguished, for example, by changing the color of the arrow or the blinking frequency.

[0075] As described above, when an alert is displayed on the display unit 105, the data processing unit 102 may, in response to instructions from the user or automatically, modify the modeling data so that the void areas of voxels whose void occupancy rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage are filled with modeling material.

[0076] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a first example of correction of the modeling data. In the example shown in Fig. 19, the data processing unit 102 fills the void areas by correcting the discharge amount information so that the wire diameter of each partial path changes from 0.7 mm to 0.75 mm. In this way, by correcting the modeling data so that the void areas are filled, the strength of the three-dimensional model can be increased.

[0077] 20 to 22 are diagrams illustrating a second example of correction of modeling data. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the data processing unit 102 corrects the modeling data by adding a partial path PP3 to the void region. In FIG. 20, an independent partial path PP3 is added, but the new partial path may be connected to an existing path, or an existing path may be extended. The data processing unit 102 preferably adjusts the line width of the partial path PP3 to be added depending on the width of the void region. When the void region is filled as shown in FIG. 20, if the void region is displayed as shown in FIG. 9, the void region disappears as shown in FIG. 21, and only the layer outline OL is displayed. Furthermore, if the void occupancy rate is displayed using voxels as shown in FIG. 15, the coloring of each voxel VX disappears, and only the grid representing the voxel VX becomes visible as shown in FIG. 22.

[0078] A third modification example of the modeling data will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 29. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of first shape data FD1 having a truncated cone shape. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a cross section of the first shape data FD1 of FIG. 23. In the first shape data FD1 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the internal region of each layer is formed by arranging multiple concentric circles. In a truncated cone shape, the diameter of the concentric circles changes depending on the height of the layer, so a void region occurs along the central axis of the truncated cone, as shown in FIG. 24. Therefore, when such a void region is displayed using voxels, the voxels including the central axis of the truncated cone are colored, as shown in FIG. 25.

[0079] The data processing unit 102 may change the modeling pattern that fills the internal region so as to fill such void regions with the modeling material. FIG. 26 shows an example in which the internal region of each layer is filled with a meandering path, as shown in FIG. 6. By filling the internal region with such a path, it is possible to prevent void regions from occurring near the central axis of the truncated cone. However, in the example shown in FIG. 26, a void region occurs between the internal region and the outer shell region. Therefore, when such a void region is displayed using voxels, the voxels between the internal region and the outer shell region are colored, as shown in FIG. 27.

[0080] FIG. 28 shows an example in which the internal region of each layer is filled with a meandering path, as shown in FIG. 26, while the direction of the meandering path is changed by 90 degrees for each layer. In this case, it is possible to further reduce the void region between the internal region and the outer shell region. Therefore, when such a void region is displayed using voxels, as shown in FIG. 29, the voxels between the internal region and the outer shell region are colored, and a lower level of coloring is used than the coloring level shown in FIG. 27. The pattern for filling the internal region may be automatically selected by the data processing unit 102 so as to reduce the void region. Alternatively, the user or the data processing unit 102 may select a pattern depending on whether the intensity of the internal region or the intensity of the outer shell region is prioritized. Note that the shapes of the first shape data shown in FIGS. 23 to 29 are merely examples, and the shape of the first shape data to be corrected is not limited to a truncated cone.

[0081] In the second embodiment, the data processing unit 102 can receive a designation of the size of a voxel from the user via the input device. For example, the user can designate a size of 10 mm. 3 or 1mm 3 You can specify the size of the voxel. 3 In this case, the void occupancy rate can be roughly displayed. In addition, since the number of calculations is reduced, the speed at which the void occupancy rate of each voxel can be displayed can be increased. In addition, if the voxel size is 1 mm, 3 If the voxel size can be specified, the void occupancy rate can be displayed in detail. Therefore, if the voxel size can be specified, the user can analyze the void region from multiple angles.

[0082] C. Other Embodiments: (C1) In the above embodiment, the display unit 105 is connected to the control unit 101. However, the display unit 105 may be located outside the control unit 101 or the 3D printing system 10, and the display screen may be transmitted from the control unit 101 to the display unit 105 via a network.

[0083] (C2) In the above embodiment, the modeling unit 110 plasticizes the material using the flat screw 40. However, the modeling unit 110 may also plasticize the material by rotating an in-line screw, for example. Alternatively, the modeling unit 110 may employ a head used in fused deposition modeling.

[0084] (C3) In the above embodiment, the flow rate of the modeling material is adjusted using the flow rate adjustment unit 70 configured with a butterfly valve. However, the flow rate of the modeling material may be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the flat screw 40.

[0085] (C4) In the above embodiment, the control unit 101 executes both the modeling data generation process and the three-dimensional modeling process. However, the modeling data generation process and the three-dimensional modeling process may be executed by different control units.

[0086] (C5) In the above embodiment, the data processing unit 102 has a function to generate shaping data. In contrast, the data processing unit 102 does not necessarily have a function to generate shaping data. In this case, the data processing unit 102 acquires shaping data generated by an external device and uses the shaping data to execute the void region identification process and the display process.

[0087] (C6) In the above embodiment, examples of the display that can identify a void region include images, marks, voxels, etc. However, the display that can identify a void region may also be, for example, numerical information that represents the area or position of the void region.

[0088] (C7) In the above embodiment, pelletized ABS resin material is used as the raw material supplied to the material supply unit 20. In contrast, the 3D printing apparatus 100 can print a 3D object using various materials as the main material, such as thermoplastic materials, metal materials, and ceramic materials. Here, the term "main material" refers to the material that forms the core of the shape of the 3D object, and refers to a material that accounts for 50% or more by weight of the 3D object. The above-mentioned printing materials include those obtained by melting the main material alone, and those obtained by melting some of the components contained in the main material into a paste.

[0089] When a thermoplastic material is used as the main material, the modeling material is generated by plasticizing the material in the modeling material generation unit 30. "Plasticization" means that heat is applied to the thermoplastic material to melt it.

[0090] As the material having thermoplasticity, 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), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate; and engineering plastics such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, and polyether ether ketone.

[0091] The thermoplastic material may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, and other additives such as wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, and thermal stabilizers. The thermoplastic material is plasticized and converted into a molten state in the modeling material generation unit 30 by the rotation of the flat screw 40 and the heat of the heater 58. The modeling material generated by melting the thermoplastic material is discharged from the nozzle 61 and then hardens as the temperature drops.

[0092] It is desirable that the thermoplastic material be heated to or above its glass transition point and in a completely melted state before being injected from the nozzle 61. For example, ABS resin has a glass transition point of approximately 120°C, and it is desirable that the temperature be approximately 200°C when injected from the nozzle 61.

[0093] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, for example, the following metal materials may be used as the main material instead of the thermoplastic materials described above. In this case, it is desirable that the powder material obtained by powdering the following metal materials be mixed with a component that melts when generating the modeling material, and then the mixture is introduced into the modeling material generation unit 30 as a raw material. <Examples of metal materials> A single metal, or an alloy containing one or more of the following metals: magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), or nickel (Ni). <Examples of the alloy> Maraging steel, stainless steel, cobalt chrome molybdenum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, cobalt chrome alloy.

[0094] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, a ceramic material can be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned metal materials. Examples of ceramic materials that can be used include oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride. When using the above-mentioned metal or ceramic materials as the main material, the modeling material placed on the stage 210 may be hardened by sintering using laser irradiation, hot air, or the like.

[0095] The powder material of a metal or ceramic material fed as a raw material to the material supply unit 20 may be a mixed material obtained by mixing multiple types of powder of a single metal, alloy powder, or ceramic material. The powder material of a metal or ceramic material may also be coated with, for example, the thermoplastic resin exemplified above or other thermoplastic resins. In this case, the thermoplastic resin may be melted in the modeling material generation unit 30 to exhibit fluidity.

[0096] For example, the following solvents can be added to the powdered metal or ceramic material fed as raw material to the material supply unit 20. The solvent can be one or a combination of two 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-based solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; pyridine-based solvents such as pyridine, γ-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine; tetraalkylammonium acetates (for example, tetrabutylammonium acetate); and ionic liquids such as butyl carbitol acetate.

[0097] In addition, the powder material of the metal material or ceramic material fed to the material supply unit 20 as a raw material may also contain, for example, the following binders. <Example of a binder> Acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin or other synthetic resin, or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polyamide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone) or other thermoplastic resin.

[0098] D. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0099] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device, the information processing device including: path information representing a movement path of a dispensing unit that moves while dispensing a modeling material; and discharge amount information representing an amount of the modeling material dispensed along the movement path; a data processing unit that identifies void regions in a three-dimensional object based on modeling data for forming the three-dimensional object; and a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, at least a portion of first shape data representing a shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data; and the display control unit displays, on the display unit, a display that allows the void regions in at least a portion of the first shape data to be identified. According to this aspect, since the void areas in the first shape data are displayed on the display unit in a manner that allows identification, it is possible to check void areas in the three-dimensional object that affect the modeling quality before modeling, thereby preventing unexpected modeling failures.

[0100] (2) In the above aspect, the display control unit may display an image representing the contour of the first shape data and the extent of the void region on the display unit. According to this aspect, it is easy to confirm the size of the void region relative to the contour of the three-dimensional object.

[0101] (3) In the above aspect, the display control unit may mark the range of the gap region of at least a part of the first shape data displayed on the display unit. According to this aspect, it is easy to confirm the range of the gap region in the first shape data being displayed.

[0102] (4) In the above aspect, the data processing unit may divide the area where the three-dimensional object exists into a plurality of voxels, calculate a proportion of a void area for each voxel as a first proportion, and the display control unit may display a mark corresponding to the first proportion for each voxel on the display unit. According to this aspect, the density of voids can be visually confirmed.

[0103] (5) In the above aspect, the data processing unit may calculate a ratio of void regions of voxels overlapping the voxel in a predetermined direction as a second ratio, and the display control unit may change the mark corresponding to the first ratio according to the second ratio and display it on the display unit. According to this aspect, the density of voids across multiple layers can be visually confirmed.

[0104] (6) In the above aspect, the data processing unit may accept a designation of the size of the voxels. According to this aspect, the user can analyze the void region from multiple angles.

[0105] (7) In the above aspect, the display control unit may display an alert on the display unit when the first ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the strength of the three-dimensional object from being reduced unintentionally by the user.

[0106] (8) In the above aspect, the data processing unit may modify the modeling data so as to fill void regions of voxels where the first ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio with the modeling material. According to this aspect, it is possible to increase the strength of the three-dimensional model.

[0107] (9) In the above embodiment, the data processing unit may acquire second shape data representing the shape of the three-dimensional object, generate layer data by slicing the shape of the three-dimensional object into a plurality of layers based on the second shape data, and generate the modeling data including the path information and the discharge amount information for each layer included in the layer data.

[0108] (10) In the above aspect, the data processing unit may identify a void region of the three-dimensional object based on the first shape data and the second shape data. According to this aspect, the void region can be identified more accurately than when the void region is identified from the first shape data alone.

[0109] (11) In the above aspect, the data processing unit may generate the layer data by slicing the shape of the three-dimensional object in a slice direction selected by a user, and the display control unit may perform a display that allows the void region to be identified in accordance with the slice direction. According to this aspect, the void region can be easily confirmed in accordance with the slice direction.

[0110] (12) A second aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional printing system including: the information processing device; and a three-dimensional printing device that prints the three-dimensional object in accordance with the printing data.

[0111] (13) A third aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional printing apparatus connectable to the information processing apparatus.

[0112] (14) According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information display method, the information display method including path information representing a movement path of a dispensing unit that moves while dispensing a modeling material, and discharge amount information representing an amount of the modeling material dispensed along the movement path, and including: an identifying step of identifying a void region in a three-dimensional object based on modeling data for forming the three-dimensional object; and a display step of displaying, on a display unit, at least a portion of first shape data representing a shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data, wherein, in the display step, the void region in at least a portion of the first shape data is displayed on the display unit in a manner that allows identification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10...three-dimensional printing system, 20...material supply unit, 22...communicating passage, 30...printing material generation unit, 31...screw case, 32...drive motor, 40...flat screw, 42...groove portion, 43...ridge portion, 44...material inlet, 46...center portion, 47...upper surface, 48...lower surface, 50...screw facing portion, 52...upper surface, 54...guide groove, 56...communicating hole, 58...heater, 60...discharge unit, 61...nozzle, 62...discharge port, 65...flow path, 70...flow rate adjustment unit, 74...first drive unit, 75...suction unit, 76...second drive unit, 100...three-dimensional printing device, 101...control unit, 102...data processing unit, 103...display control unit, 105...display unit, 110...printing unit, 210...stage, 211...printing surface, 230...movement mechanism

Claims

1. Route information indicating a moving route of a discharging unit that moves while discharging a modeling material, and and a discharge amount information indicating the discharge amount of the modeling material in the path, for forming a three-dimensional model. a data processing unit that identifies void regions of the three-dimensional object based on the modeling data; and A small amount of first shape data representing the shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data. a display control unit that displays at least a part of the image on a display unit, The data processing unit divides an area where the three-dimensional object exists into a plurality of voxels, Calculating a percentage of void area for each voxel as a first percentage; The display control unit displays a mark corresponding to the first ratio for each of the voxels on the display unit. An information processing device.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The display control unit displays the outline of the first shape data and an image representing the range of the gap region in front of the image. An information processing device that displays the information on the display unit.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, The data processing unit selects voxels that overlap with the voxel in a predetermined direction. The proportion of the void area is calculated as a second proportion, The display control unit changes the mark according to the first ratio according to the second ratio to display the mark on the display. An information processing device that displays the information on a display unit.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, The information processing device, wherein the data processing unit accepts a designation of a voxel size.

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, The display control unit displays an alarm on the display unit when the first ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. An information processing device that displays a report.

6. 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, The data processing unit preliminarily identifies void regions of voxels where the first ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. and an information processing device that corrects the modeling data so as to fill in the modeling material.

7. 7. The information processing device according to claim 1, The data processing unit acquiring second shape data representing the shape of the three-dimensional object; A layer data obtained by slicing the shape of the three-dimensional object into a plurality of layers based on the second shape data. Generate the data, The modeling information including the path information and the discharge amount information for each layer included in the layer data. An information processing device that generates data.

8. 8. The information processing device according to claim 7, The data processing unit generates the three-dimensional shape data based on the first shape data and the second shape data. An information processing device that identifies void regions in the original object.

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 7, The data processing unit processes the three-dimensional object in accordance with a slice direction selected by a user. slicing the shape to generate the layer data; The display control unit performs a display that allows the gap region to be identified according to the slice direction. Information processing device.

10. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a three-dimensional printing device that prints the three-dimensional object in accordance with the printing data; A three-dimensional modeling system comprising:

11. Route information indicating a moving route of a discharging unit that moves while discharging a modeling material, and the discharge amount information indicating the discharge amount of the modeling material in the path, a specifying step of specifying a void region of the three-dimensional object based on the modeling data for the three-dimensional object; A small amount of first shape data representing the shape of the three-dimensional object generated based on the modeling data. a display step of displaying at least a part of the image on a display unit, In the display step, at least a part of the first shape data is displayed on the display unit. The void region is displayed in a manner that allows the void region to be identified, and the region where the three-dimensional object exists is displayed as a plurality of voxels. The ratio of the void region for each voxel is calculated as a first ratio, and for each voxel, an information display method, wherein a mark corresponding to the first ratio is displayed on the display unit;

Images