Control information generating device, control information generating method, and program

Abstract

To provide a control information generating device, a control information generating method and a program, which are capable of generating control information for improving productivity by reducing the number of fabrication paths that form a bead without making any major changes from original fabrication paths.SOLUTION: A control information generating device 100 comprises: a fabrication information acquisition unit 17 that acquires fabrication path information; a connection location identification unit 19 that identifies, from the acquired fabrication path information, a connection location where a pair of fabrication paths are connected, the pair of fabrication paths being arranged to be adjacent to each other and having a continuous formation order; a fabrication path coupling unit 21 that adds a new connection path for coupling together the pair of fabrication paths at the connection location, and then couples together the pair of fabrication paths; and a control information output unit 23 that repeats the coupling of the fabrication paths until the number of fabrication paths reaches a predetermined upper limit or less, and then outputs information on coupled fabrication paths as control information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control information generating device, a control information generating method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing need for parts manufacturing using additive manufacturing (AM) with 3D printers, and research and development is underway to commercialize this technology. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method for improving the quality of an AM process by modifying the bead formation trajectory (amendment path) to reduce bead overlap and uneven processing material distribution. This method involves adjusting the bead width based on the AM process path and the reference width of the bead cross section, and then modifying the AM process path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 47-011817 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In additive manufacturing, a desired shape is created by arranging multiple adjacent modeling paths in various styles. The greater the number of modeling paths, the greater the number of start and end points, resulting in a higher frequency of modeling stops. Therefore, from the perspective of productivity, there is a demand to reduce the number of modeling paths as much as possible. However, the more complex the shape of the object, the more limited the types of modeling paths that can be generated, making it difficult to reduce the number of paths in general. For these reasons, there is a demand for the development of a general-purpose method for reducing the number of paths. Patent Document 1 describes a method for correcting modeling paths, but does not mention reducing the number of modeling paths themselves.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a control information generation device, a control information generation method, and a program that can generate control information that improves productivity by reducing the number of modeling paths that form beads without making major changes to the original modeling paths. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention comprises the following configurations. (1) A control information generation device that generates control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a modeling target while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and models a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, a shaping information acquisition unit that acquires information about the shaping path; a connection position specifying unit that specifies a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed consecutively from the acquired modeling path information; a path connecting unit that connects the pair of shaping paths to each other by adding a new connecting path that connects the pair of shaping paths to each other at the connection position; a control information output unit that repeats connecting the modeling paths until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputs information about the connected modeling paths as the control information; A control information generating device comprising: (2) A control information generation method for generating control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a modeling target while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and models a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, comprising: Acquire information about the modeling path; Identifying a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed in succession from the acquired modeling path information; adding a new connection path that connects the pair of modeling paths to each other at the connection position, thereby connecting the pair of modeling paths to each other; Repeating the connection of the modeling paths until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputting information on the connected modeling paths as the control information. Control information generation method. (3) A program for generating control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a manufacturing target while moving a processing position along a preset manufacturing path, and that manufactures a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, On the computer, a function of acquiring information about the modeling path; a function of identifying a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent shaping paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed in succession from the acquired shaping path information; a function of newly adding a connection path that connects the pair of modeling paths to each other at the connection position, thereby connecting the pair of modeling paths to each other; a function of repeatedly connecting the modeling paths together until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputting information about the connected modeling paths as the control information; A program to achieve this. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the number of shaping passes for forming a bead can be reduced without making any major changes to the original shaping passes, thereby improving productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an additive manufacturing system including a control information generating device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing a modeling path by the control information generating device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a step-by-step procedure for changing the modeling path. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing another example of adding a connection path. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing another example of adding a connection path. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of adding a connection path, with (A) to (C) shown. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the state of beads formed along each path shown in FIG. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a bead formed when the cutting positions of the modeling passes PS1 and PS2 are set different from the cutting positions shown in FIG. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows a bead that is formed when the cutting positions of the modeling passes PS1 and PS2 are on the same side as the connection positions P1 and P2. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing types of connection paths that connect raster-like modeling paths. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing types of connection paths that connect raster-like modeling paths. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram showing types of connection paths that connect raster-like modeling paths. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a step-by-step procedure for changing the multiple circular modeling path. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a multiple circular shaping path. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a modeling path showing how one layer shape is divided into a plurality of blocks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: The control information generating device generates control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that forms a weld bead; however, the control target is not limited to this, and the device may generate control information for controlling devices using other manufacturing methods.

[0010] <Additive manufacturing system> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an additive manufacturing system 200 including a control information generating device 100. The additive manufacturing system includes a control information generating device 100, a control information storage unit 11, and an additive manufacturing device 13. The control information generating device 100 generates control information for controlling the additive manufacturing device 13, and the control information storage unit 11 stores the generated control information so that it can be output to the additive manufacturing device 13. Although not shown, the additive manufacturing device 13 includes a welding unit having a manipulator such as a multi-axis robot that moves a torch, a welding power source, a filler metal feed mechanism, etc., and a control unit 15 that controls each part of the welding unit. The control unit 15 reads control information corresponding to a desired shape of a molded object from the control information storage unit 11 and controls the welding unit based on the read control information to manufacture the molded object. In other words, the additive manufacturing device 13 adds molten processing material to a surface to be molded while moving a processing position along a predetermined molding path to form a bead. The formed bead is used to repeatedly form layered bead layers, thereby molding a three-dimensional molded object in which the bead layers are stacked.

[0011] The control information includes a modeling program that records command information such as a modeling path that indicates the path along which the torch is moved by the additive manufacturing device 13 to form a bead, and welding conditions during bead formation. The modeling program is composed of a large number of 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 to be formed.

[0012] The control information generating device 100 includes a printing information acquiring unit 17, a connection position identifying unit 19, a printing path connecting unit 21, and a control information output unit 23, each of which will be described in detail later. The functions of each unit are outlined below. The modeling information acquisition unit 17 acquires information on the modeling shape and welding conditions of the object to be manufactured, or information on the modeling plan including the modeling path set by a predetermined algorithm based on the information. The modeling path here refers to, for example, the movement trajectory of the torch when the torch is moved to form a bead. CAD data, for example, can be used as the modeling shape information.

[0013] The connection position specifying unit 19 extracts a pair of shaping paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and have a continuous formation order from the acquired shaping path information, and specifies a connection position that connects the pair of shaping paths to form one shaping path.

[0014] The shaping path connecting unit 21 adds a new connecting path to the shaping paths, which connects the pair of shaping paths at the connection position. As a result, the pair of shaping paths are connected to form one continuous shaping path.

[0015] The control information output unit 23 repeats the above-described connection of the shaping paths until the number of shaping paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit. Then, the control information output unit 23 outputs information about the connected shaping paths as control information. Note that the control information output unit 23 may have a function to display information about the changed shaping paths using an output device (not shown), such as a display, provided in the control information generating device 100.

[0016] The control information generating device 100 is configured by an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer). The functions of each of the above-mentioned parts are realized by a processor provided for each part reading and executing a program having a specific function. Specifically, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processor Unit) or a dedicated circuit reads and executes a program stored in a memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile storage area, ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a non-volatile storage area, or storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0017] <Procedure for changing the modeling path> Next, a procedure for changing a modeling path by the control information generating device 100 having the above configuration will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure for changing a modeling path by the control information generating device 100. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for changing a modeling path in stages. First, the modeling information acquisition unit 17 acquires information about the modeling path of the object to be manufactured (S1). For example, if a modeling plan including a modeling path of the object to be manufactured is prepared in advance, the modeling information acquisition unit 17 reads information about the modeling plan and acquires information about the modeling path from the modeling plan.

[0018] The forming information acquisition unit 17 may also create a forming plan from the input information on the forming shape and welding conditions and acquire information on the forming paths. In this case, the forming information acquisition unit 17 obtains a layer shape 25 by dividing the model of the forming shape into layers according to the height of the weld bead, as shown in St.1 of Fig. 3. Then, as shown in St.2, the obtained layer shape 25 is decomposed into the shape of the weld bead, and a plurality of (n in total) forming paths PS for forming the layer shape 25 by the weld bead is obtained. i (i is 1 to n). The shaping path that forms the layer shape 25 is the annular shaping path PS OUT and circular shaping path PS OUT Linear modeling path PS that fills the inside i Here, the circular modeling path PS OUT Multiple linear modeling passes filling the inside of PS i This article explains:

[0019] The connection position specifying unit 19 is configured to specify the connection position of the plurality of shaping paths PS included in the path information shown in St.2. i Or multiple modeling paths PS obtained from the above modeling plan i Among them, a pair of forming passes PS that are arranged adjacent to each other and have a continuous formation order i ,PS i+1 Here, for example, the modeling paths PS1 and PS2 are extracted. Then, the adjacent end portions PC of each modeling path PS1 and PS2 are extracted. 1A ,PC 2A is identified as the connection position (S2).

[0020] The shaping path connecting unit 21 provides a new connection path PSC at the specified connection position. 1A and end PC 2A A connecting path PSC that connects the printing paths PS1 and PS2 is added to the existing printing paths (S3). The added connecting path PSC forms a single path that connects the printing paths PS1 and PS2. i The total number of items will decrease by one.

[0021] The above process is repeated for the next printing pass PS until the predetermined upper limit N of the total number of passes is reached. i+1 As shown in Step 4, a pair of modeling paths PS2 and PS3 are extracted and the end portion PC 2B and end PC 3B In this way, as shown in St.5, each of the modeling paths PSi is connected by the connecting path PSC.

[0022] By linking multiple printing passes in this way and reducing the total number of passes, the time required for operations such as arc start and arc end during bead formation can be reduced, thereby shortening the total printing time. Furthermore, the shape of the bead formed at the arc start and arc end tends to differ in bead height and bead width from the shape at the bead's midpoint, making the resulting shape unstable. Reducing the number of areas with such unstable shapes further improves the printing accuracy of the object.

[0023] In addition, since adjacent paths are connected based on the modeling path based on the modeling plan, no major changes are made to the original modeling path that served as the base. This minimizes changes from the original modeling plan, and prevents situations that make modeling difficult due to, for example, constraints on the torch orientation of the additive manufacturing device 13.

[0024] <Other settings for connection path> 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing another example of adding a connection path. As shown in FIG. 4A, the end portions PC of the adjacent forming passes PS1 and PS2, which are successively formed, 1a ,PC 2a The line connected to the connection path PS C and the smaller of the intersection angles between the connection path PSC and the modeling path PS2 is set to θ. In this case, the connection position specifying unit 19 specifies the connection position so that the intersection angle θ is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified angle.

[0025] For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the crossing angle θ is about 30°, the end PC 2A In this case, the occurrence of voids and changes in bead height and width are likely to occur during bead formation, resulting in an unstable shape. Therefore, by making the crossing angle θ closer to an obtuse angle as shown in Figure 4(B), the above-mentioned bead defects can be prevented, and the end PC 2A A good bead can be formed.

[0026] In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the end portion PC of a pair of modeling passes PS1 and PS2 1A ,PC 2A The line connecting them (connection path PSC) and the end PC 1A ,PC 2A The connection position is specified so that the crossing angle θ is set so that the wall portion (bead from another pass or existing object) 31 located nearby is approximately parallel to the crossing angle θ. In other words, the connection position specifying unit 19 specifies the position on the shaping path where the crossing angle θ is equal to or greater than a specified angle as the connection position. Then, the shaping path connecting unit 21 sets the connection path PSC at the connection position. This makes it possible to form a bead with high shape accuracy even at the connection position, contributing to improving the dimensional accuracy of the shaped object.

[0027] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing another example of adding a connection path. As shown in FIG. 5A, the end PC of a pair of shaping passes PS1 and PS2 1A ,PC 2AHowever, if the bead is in contact with or close to an opposing wall (a bead from another pass or an existing object) 31, a cavity may be formed between the wall 31 and the bead when the bead is formed, or the bead height may fluctuate due to fusion with the wall 31.

[0028] In this way, the end PC of a pair of forming passes PS1 and PS2 1a ,PC 2a When the distance between the end portion PC1 and the wall portion (bead or existing object by another pass) 31 that the shaping passes PS1 and PS2 will hit when extended in the longitudinal direction is equal to or less than a predetermined specified distance, the connection position specifying unit 19 determines the end portion PC2 as shown in FIG. 1A ,PC 2A is shifted in a direction away from the wall portion 31, shortening the path length of the shaping paths PS1 and PS2, while 1A ,PC 2B Then, the shaping path connecting unit 21 sets the connection path PSC at the specified connection position. 1A ,PC 2A However, if only one end is close to the wall portion 31, only the close end may be shifted.

[0029] This shortens the path lengths of the printing passes PS1 and PS2, and the total length of all passes does not increase significantly due to the connection of the printing passes. This prevents the bead volume from increasing excessively compared to the printing plan. Furthermore, adjusting the path length eliminates the need to change the bead stacking conditions (mainly bead width and bead overlap amount), which require strict adjustment.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of adding a connection path, with (A) to (C) shown. As shown in Figure 6(A), a connection position may be set as an intermediate position between each of a pair of shaping paths PS1 and PS2, and a connection path PSC may be provided to connect the shaping paths PS1 and PS2 at this connection position. In this case, when the shaping path PS1 reaches the connection position P1 along the bead formation direction D1, the path branches into the direction D2 in which the original shaping path PS1 extends and the direction D3 in which the connection path PSC extends. Similarly, at the connection position P2 in the shaping path PS2, the path also branches in two directions. In other words, by adding the connection path PSC to the pair of shaping paths PS1 and PS2, the path branches in two or more directions.

[0031] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6 (B), at the connection position P1 of the shaping path PS1 with the connection path PSC, the shaping path PS1 on either side of the connection position P1 of the shaping path PS1 is cut at that connection position P1. Here, the shaping path PS1 is cut to the right of the connection position P1. Similarly, at the connection position P2 of the shaping path PS2 with the connection path PSC, the shaping path PS2 on either side of the connection position P2 of the shaping path PS2 is cut at that connection position P2. Here, the shaping path PS2 is cut to the left of the connection position P2.

[0032] As a result, as shown in Fig. 6C, the shaping path PS1 is connected to the connection path PSC at the connection position P1, and is connected to the shaping path PS2 at the connection position P2. 1-D is separated from the original modeling path PS1 and the end position P 1-A The modeling path PS is cut off at the connection position P2. 2-D Similarly, the end position P 2-A This creates an independent modeling path starting from the point A. In this way, a connecting path PSC can be added to any position other than the end of the modeling path.

[0033] FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the state of beads formed along each path shown in FIG. The pair of shaping paths PS1 and PS2 are connected by a connecting path PSC provided at the connecting positions P1 and P2, and the shaping path PS 1-D ,PS 2-D In this case, the bead B of the connected inverted S-shaped forming paths PS1 and PS2 is separated from the original forming paths PS1 and PS2. 1-D ,PS 2-D As a result, the gaps between the passes are filled with beads without any gaps.

[0034] FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a bead formed when the cutting positions of the modeling passes PS1 and PS2 are set different from the cutting positions shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the cutting of the printing path PS1 is performed on the left side of the connection position P1 and the cutting of the printing path PS2 is performed on the right side of the connection position P2, which are opposite to the cutting positions shown in FIG. 7A, the bead B of the connected S-shaped printing paths PS2 and PS1 is cut off. 1-D ,PS 2-D As a result, the gaps between the passes are filled with beads without any gaps.

[0035] FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows a bead that is formed when the cutting positions of the modeling passes PS1 and PS2 are on the same side as the connection positions P1 and P2. As shown in Figure 7C, when the cutting positions of the shaping paths PS1 and PS2 are both set to the right of the connection positions P1 and P2, a path that turns back in a rectangular shape is formed by the shaping path PS1, the connection path PSC, and the shaping path PS2. 1-D and Modeling Pass PS 2-D Between the passes shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an area K where the bead B is difficult to fill is created. In other words, when the passes shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are connected in an S-shape or an inverted S-shape, it is easier to overlap adjacent beads compared to the case shown in FIG. 7C, and the occurrence of non-welding defects can be suppressed. Note that when the shape shown in FIG. 7C occurs in the manufacturing plan, the bead can be reliably filled in the area K by adjusting the heat input, decreasing the welding speed, increasing the filler metal feed rate, etc.

[0036] <Curved connection path> 8A, 8B, and 8C are explanatory diagrams showing types of connection paths that connect raster-like modeling paths. In additive manufacturing of a model, bead layers, each of which has a shape obtained by dividing the model into layers, are primarily produced by forming beads along raster-shaped modeling paths PS. Here, "raster-shaped" refers to a state in which multiple linear modeling paths PS are arranged parallel to one another at equal intervals. The ends of these linear modeling paths PS are connected by connecting paths PSC. In other words, the connecting paths PSC connect the start and end points of multiple rows of modeling paths PS as connecting positions. This connects adjacent ends, efficiently connecting each modeling path arranged in a raster shape.

[0037] The connecting path PSC may be formed by connecting the ends of the above-mentioned shaping paths in a straight line to form a rectangle, as shown in Fig. 8A, or may be an arc-shaped path as shown in Fig. 8B, or a path consisting of curves with multiple curvatures as shown in Fig. 8C. By incorporating a curve into the shape of the connecting path PSC, the amount of overlap between adjacent shaping paths or the amount of overlap between a shaping path and a wall portion (not shown) can be adjusted at the connecting path PSC, making it possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of unwelded defects.

[0038] <Multiple circular modeling paths> Next, a procedure for connecting each of the modeling passes when the modeling passes for the layered bead layer are arranged in multiple circular shapes will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a step-by-step procedure for changing the multiple circular modeling path. First, the printing information acquisition unit 17 obtains a layer shape by dividing the model of the printing shape into layers according to the height of the weld bead, as shown in St.1 of Fig. 9. Then, as shown in St.2, by decomposing the obtained layer shape into the shape of the weld bead, a multiple annular printing path PS in which a plurality of paths (n in total) are arranged concentrically to form the layer shape by the weld bead is obtained. i (i is 1 to n).

[0039] Next, the connection position specifying unit 19 identifies a plurality of shaping paths PS i A pair of forming passes PS arranged adjacent to each other and having a continuous formation order i ,PS i+1 Here, as shown in St.3, the shaping paths PS1 and PS2 are extracted in order from the outer periphery of the layer shape. Then, the connection position specifying unit 19 specifies arbitrary positions of the shaping paths PS1 and PS2 as connection positions P1 and P2.

[0040] As shown in St. 4, the shaping path connecting unit 21 connects the connection position P1 and the connection position P2 of the pair of shaping paths PS1 and PS2 to one continuous path connected to the shaping paths PS1 and PS2. Here, the end of the remaining path after cutting the shaping paths PS1 and PS2 is connected to the end position P 1-A ,P 2-A is shown as

[0041] The connection position specifying unit 19 determines the added end position P 2-A The connection position P3 is identified in the vicinity of the end position P 2-A The connection position P3 is specified as a new connection position. 2-A and the connection position P3 is made into one continuous path connected to the printing path PS2 and the printing path PS3.

[0042] In this way, the layer shape is formed by the shaping passes PS1 to PS2 from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. n By cutting and connecting the 1-A From Modeling Pass PS n End position P n-A This allows the layer shape to be continuously formed in one pass including the connecting pass PSC along the radial direction from the annular center (center of the layer shape) O. Note that the above process is not limited to ultimately reducing the number of passes to one, and it is sufficient if the initial number of passes n can be reduced.

[0043] <Another example of a multiple circular modeling path> FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a multiple circular shaping path. In the path connection procedure shown in Fig. 9, the connecting path PSC is set along the radial direction from the annular center O, but in the case of the multiple annular shaping paths shown in Fig. 10, the connection positions are made to vary in the circumferential direction of the annular shape. Specifically, a virtual straight line L1 is set extending radially outward from the annular center O of the path toward a connection position P1 of an arbitrarily determined shaping path PS1. The end position of the shaping path PS1 that is cut at the connection position P1 is set as P 1-A Let's say.

[0044] Then, the virtual straight line L1 is fixed at the center O of the loop, and a virtual straight line L2 is set in a direction shifting the central angle at the center O of the loop by φ. The intersection of the virtual straight line L2 and the printing path PS2 is set as the connection position P2 of the printing path PS2. In addition, the end position of the printing path PS2 that is cut at the connection position P2 is set as P 2-A The obtained end position P 2-A and the connection position P1 are connected by a connection path PSC.

[0045] Repeat the above steps from the PS3 to the PS n Repeat until the modeling pass PS n End position P n-A In other words, the multiple circular modeling path PS i A virtual line L extending radially outward from the annular center O of i Modeling Pass PS i Set each virtual line L i The central angle φ at the annular center O is increased in one direction (clockwise in Fig. 10) from the radially inner to the radially outer printing pass, and the printing pass PS i and its modeling path PS i The virtual line L corresponding to i The intersection point is P i As a result, the end position P of the modeling path PS1 is extracted as 1-A From Modeling Pass PS n End position P n-AThis becomes one pass, and the layer shape can be formed continuously. In this case, the connecting passes PSC are provided at different circumferential positions for each pass, and the connecting passes PSC can be distributed. This prevents the connecting passes PSC from concentrating in a specific position, and allows the entire layer to be formed uniformly.

[0046] <Modeling paths for complex shapes> FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a modeling path showing how one layer shape 25 is divided into a plurality of blocks. If the layer shape 25 is complex, it can be divided into multiple blocks 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d of simple shapes. Examples of simple shapes include rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and ellipses. In this case, within each block, the modeling paths can be arranged in a raster pattern as shown in FIG. 11 or in a multiple circular pattern (not shown). Therefore, within blocks where the modeling paths are in the same direction, connecting paths can be provided between adjacent paths to connect the paths. This allows even a complex layer shape 25 to be modeled with a small number of paths.

[0047] 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.

[0048] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A lamination method in which a laminar bead layer is repeatedly formed using a bead formed by adding a molten processing material to a surface to be modeled while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and a three-dimensional shape is modeled by stacking the laminar bead layers. A control information generating device that generates control information for controlling a layer forming device, a shaping information acquisition unit that acquires information about the shaping path; a connection position specifying unit that specifies a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed consecutively from the acquired modeling path information; a path connecting unit that connects the pair of shaping paths to each other by adding a new connecting path that connects the pair of shaping paths to each other at the connection position; a control information output unit that repeats connecting the modeling paths until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputs information about the connected modeling paths as the control information; A control information generating device comprising: According to this control information generating device, the connection position identifying unit identifies the connection position of a pair of modeling paths from the modeling path information acquired by the modeling information acquiring unit, and the path connecting unit adds a connecting path to the connection position to connect the modeling paths. By performing additive manufacturing based on this control information, the number of modeling paths can be reduced, shortening the operation time for arc start and arc end, thereby shortening the modeling time. Furthermore, the modeling accuracy of the modeled object can be further improved.

[0049] (2) The control information generating device described in (1), wherein the connection position identification unit identifies the connection position where the smaller of the intersection angles between the modeling path and the connection path connected to the modeling path is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified angle. According to this control information generating device, the occurrence of voids and changes in bead height and width are less likely to occur at the connection portion between the modeling path and the connection path when the bead is formed. (3) The control information generating device described in (1) or (2), wherein the connection position identifying unit, when the distance between the end of the pair of shaping paths and another shaping path or existing object that the shaping paths would encounter if extended longitudinally, is less than a predetermined specified distance, shifts the end of the shaping path in a direction away from the other shaping path or existing object to shorten the path length, and identifies the shortened end of the shaping path as the connection position. This control information generating device reduces the occurrence of voids and changes in bead height and width between the end of a shaping pass and another shaping pass or an existing object. Furthermore, because the pass length is shortened, the total length of all passes does not increase significantly compared to before the connection, preventing an excessive increase in the bead volume to be filled.

[0050] (4) The control information generating device described in (1), wherein the path connection unit cuts the modeling path at the connection position on either one side of the connection position with the connection path when adding the connection path to the pair of modeling paths causes the modeling paths to branch in two or more directions. According to this control information generating device, a connection path can be added to any position other than the end of a shaping path.

[0051] (5) the shaping paths are arranged in a raster; The control information generating device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the connection position specifying unit extracts start points or end points of the plurality of juxtaposed modeling paths as the connection positions. According to this control information generating device, each of the shaping paths arranged in a raster pattern can be efficiently connected to a connection path.

[0052] (6) The shaping paths are arranged in multiple circular patterns; The control information generating device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the connection position identifying unit connects the cutting position where a part of the shaping path is cut to another adjacent shaping path by the connection path. According to this control information generating device, each of the shaping paths arranged in a multiple circular pattern can be efficiently connected by the connection path.

[0053] (7) The connection position specifying unit sets a virtual straight line extending radially outward from the center of the annular shape of the multiple annular shape paths for each of the shape paths, increases the central angle of the virtual straight line at the annular center in one direction from the radially inner shape path to the radially outer shape path, and extracts, as the connection position, each intersection of the shape path and the virtual straight line corresponding to the shape path. 8. The control information generating device according to claim 7. This control information generating device allows the connection paths to be provided at different circumferential positions for each path, and the connection paths can be distributed, which prevents the connection paths from concentrating at specific positions and allows the entire layer to be formed uniformly.

[0054] (8) A control information generation method for generating control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a modeling target while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and models a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, comprising: Acquire information about the modeling path; Identifying a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed in succession from the acquired modeling path information; adding a new connection path that connects the pair of modeling paths to each other at the connection position, thereby connecting the pair of modeling paths to each other; Repeating the connection of the modeling paths until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputting information on the connected modeling paths as the control information. Control information generation method. According to this control information generation method, the connection position of a pair of modeling paths is identified from the acquired modeling path information, and control information is output that repeatedly performs the process of adding a connecting path to that connection position to connect the modeling paths. By performing additive manufacturing based on this control information, the number of modeling paths can be reduced, thereby shortening the operation time for arc start and arc end, and shortening the modeling time. In addition, the modeling accuracy of the modeled object can be further improved.

[0055] (9) A program for generating control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a manufacturing target while moving a processing position along a preset manufacturing path, and manufactures a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, the program comprising: On the computer, a function of acquiring information about the modeling path; a function of identifying a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent shaping paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed in succession from the acquired shaping path information; a function of newly adding a connection path that connects the pair of modeling paths to each other at the connection position, thereby connecting the pair of modeling paths to each other; a function of repeatedly connecting the modeling paths together until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputting information about the connected modeling paths as the control information; A program to achieve this. This program outputs control information that identifies the connection position of a pair of modeling paths from the acquired modeling path information, adds a connecting path to that connection position, and repeats the process of connecting the modeling paths. By performing additive modeling based on this control information, the number of modeling paths can be reduced, shortening the operation time for arc start and arc end, and shortening the modeling time. It also improves the modeling accuracy of the modeled object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 11 Control information storage unit 13 Additive manufacturing equipment 15 Control Unit 17 Modeling information acquisition section 19 Connection position identification unit 21 Modeling path connection part 23 Control information output unit 25 layer shape Blocks 25a, 25b, and 25c 31 Wall 100 Control information generating device 200 Additive Manufacturing System PS Printing Path PSC Connection Path P1, P2, P3 connection positions

Claims

1. A control information generation device that generates control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a modeling target while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and models a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, a shaping information acquisition unit that acquires information about the shaping path; a connection position specifying unit that specifies a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed consecutively from the acquired modeling path information; a path connecting unit that connects the pair of shaping paths to each other by adding a new connecting path that connects the pair of shaping paths to each other at the connection position; a control information output unit that repeats connecting the modeling paths until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputs information about the connected modeling paths as the control information; Equipped with The shaping paths are arranged in multiple circular patterns; the connection position specifying unit connects the cut position where a part of the shaping path is cut to another adjacent shaping path by the connection path, The connection position identification unit sets a virtual straight line extending radially outward from the annular center of the multiple annular shaping paths for each shaping path, increases the central angle of the virtual straight line at the annular center in one direction from the radially inner shaping path to the radially outer shaping path, and extracts the intersection of the shaping path and the virtual straight line corresponding to the shaping path as the connection position.

2. the connection position specifying unit specifies the connection position at which a smaller intersection angle between the shaping path and the connection path connected to the shaping path is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified angle. The control information generating device according to claim 1 .

3. the connection position specifying unit, when a distance between an end of the pair of shaping paths and another shaping path or an existing object that the pair of shaping paths would collide against when extended in the longitudinal direction is equal to or less than a predetermined specified distance, shifts the end of the shaping path in a direction away from the other shaping path or the existing object to shorten the path length, and specifies the shortened end of the shaping path as the connection position; The control information generating device according to claim 1 .

4. the connection position specifying unit, when a distance between an end of the pair of shaping paths and another shaping path or an existing object that the pair of shaping paths would collide against when extended in the longitudinal direction is equal to or less than a predetermined specified distance, shifts the end of the shaping path in a direction away from the other shaping path or the existing object to shorten the path length, and specifies the shortened end of the shaping path as the connection position; The control information generating device according to claim 2 .

5. the path connection unit, when adding the connection path to the pair of modeling paths causes each of the modeling paths to branch in two or more directions, cuts the modeling path at the connection position on either one side or the other side of the connection position with the connection path; The control information generating device according to claim 1 .

6. A control information generation method for generating control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a modeling target while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and models a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, comprising: Acquire information about the modeling path; Identifying a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed in succession from the acquired modeling path information; adding a new connection path that connects the pair of modeling paths to each other at the connection position, thereby connecting the pair of modeling paths to each other; Repeating the connection of the modeling paths until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputting information of the connected modeling paths as the control information; The shaping paths are arranged in multiple circular patterns; When specifying the connection position, the cutting position where a part of the shaping path is cut and another adjacent shaping path are connected by the connection path, When identifying the connection position, a virtual straight line extending radially outward from the annular center of the multiple annular shaping path is set for each shaping path, the central angle of the virtual straight line at the annular center is increased in one direction from the radially inner shaping path to the radially outer shaping path, and the intersection of the shaping path and the virtual straight line corresponding to the shaping path is extracted as the connection position.

7. A program for generating control information for controlling an additive manufacturing device that repeatedly forms layered bead layers using beads formed by adding molten processing material to a surface of a modeling target while moving a processing position along a preset modeling path, and models a three-dimensional shape in which the bead layers are stacked, On the computer, a function of acquiring information about the modeling path; a function of identifying a connection position that connects a pair of adjacent modeling paths that are arranged adjacent to each other and are formed in succession from the acquired modeling path information; a function of newly adding a connection path that connects the pair of modeling paths to each other at the connection position, thereby connecting the pair of modeling paths to each other; a function of repeatedly connecting the modeling paths together until the number of the modeling paths becomes equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number, and outputting information about the connected modeling paths as the control information; and The shaping paths are arranged in multiple circular patterns; The function of identifying the connection position is to connect the cutting position where a part of the shaping path is cut and another adjacent shaping path by the connection path, The function of identifying the connection position is a program for setting a virtual straight line extending radially outward from the annular center of the multiple annular shaping path for each shaping path, increasing the central angle of the virtual straight line at the annular center in one direction from the radially inner shaping path to the radially outer shaping path, and extracting the intersection of the shaping path and the virtual straight line corresponding to the shaping path as the connection position.

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