Additive manufacturing path generation device, additive manufacturing system, and additive manufacturing path generation method

Abstract

An additive manufacturing path generating device (105) that divides a modeling shape into a plurality of layers and generates a modeling path for each layer includes a reference curve generating unit (201) that generates, as a reference curve, an intersection line between a layer division reference surface, which is a surface that specifies the reference position and stacking direction of a layer, and a layer reference surface that is the surface of the base material, and gradually generates, as a reference curve, a curve on the layer division reference surface at a reference curve interval from the previously generated reference curve; a layer division surface generating unit (202) that generates, for each reference curve, a layer division surface that is a surface that includes the reference curve and divides the modeling shape, such that the normal direction of the layer division surface at each point on the reference curve corresponds to the normal direction of the layer division reference surface; and a layer modeling path generating unit (203) that extracts, for each layer division surface, a portion where the layer division surface and the modeling shape overlap, and generates a modeling path that adds material to the extracted layer modeling area, thereby reducing the user's effort in obtaining a modeling path that enables stable modeling.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing path generating device, an additive manufacturing system, and an additive manufacturing path generating method for controlling an additive manufacturing device that manufactures an object by stacking layers of added molten material. [Background technology]

[0002] Additive manufacturing is known, which is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking multiple layers formed by adding molten material along a modeling path. In additive manufacturing, it is common to divide the shape of the target object into multiple layers and generate a modeling path for each layer.

[0003] For example, in the modeling method described in Patent Document 1, when the modeling shape is divided into a plurality of layers, the modeling shape is divided along contour lines at equal intervals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-015363 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional molding method has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a molding path that enables stable additive manufacturing for various molding shapes. For example, in the molding method described in Patent Document 1, the surface of each layer to be molded is flat, and the thickness of each layer is uniform. For this reason, in the case of a molding shape having a wall surface that is inclined with respect to the surface of the base material, the molten material drips in the direction of irradiation of the heat source for melting the material in a portion where there is no lower layer of the layer being molded, making stable additive manufacturing difficult.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an additive manufacturing path generation device capable of obtaining a modeling path that enables stable additive manufacturing for a variety of modeling shapes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the additive manufacturing path generation device disclosed herein is an additive manufacturing path generation device that divides a target shape, which is the shape that is the target of additive manufacturing, in which an object is manufactured by stacking multiple layers formed by adding material along a manufacturing path, into multiple layers and generates a manufacturing path for each layer. This additive manufacturing path generating device is characterized by comprising: a reference curve generating unit that generates, as a reference curve, the intersection line between a layer division reference surface, which is a surface that specifies the reference position and stacking direction of a layer, and a layer reference surface, which is the surface of the base material on which additive manufacturing begins, and further gradually generates, as a reference curve, a curve on the layer division reference surface that takes a reference curve interval that indicates the interval between adjacent reference curves given for each reference curve from the previously generated reference curve; a layer division surface generating unit that generates, for each of the multiple reference curves, a layer division surface that is a surface that includes the reference curve and divides the modeling shape, such that the normal direction of the layer division surface at each of the multiple points on the reference curve corresponds to the normal direction of the layer division reference surface; and a layer manufacturing path generating unit that extracts, for each of the multiple layer division surfaces, a portion where the layer division surface and the modeling shape overlap as a layer manufacturing area, and generates a modeling path that adds material to the extracted layer manufacturing area. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a modeling path that enables stable additive modeling for a variety of modeling shapes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an additive manufacturing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the additive manufacturing path generation device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a modeling shape for which the additive manufacturing path generating device of FIG. 2 generates a modeling path; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of shape data for the object shape shown in FIG. 3 ; [Diagram 5] A diagram showing how a model is divided into multiple layers. [Figure 6] A flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the additive manufacturing path generating device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] A flowchart for explaining the details of step S301 in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reference curve generated for the shaping shape shown in FIG. 3; [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of reference curve interval data included in the path definition data acquired by the additive manufacturing path generation device of FIG. 2; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a method for generating a reference curve; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a method for generating a reference curve; [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of a method for generating a layer division surface. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a method for generating a layer division surface. [Figure 14] A diagram illustrating a second example of a method for generating a layer division surface. [Figure 15] A detailed explanation of the method for generating the section lines of the first layer in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] A diagram illustrating a third example of a method for generating a layer division surface. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a method for generating a cross-sectional line of the i-th layer. [Figure 18] A flowchart for explaining details of a method for generating a modeling path. [Figure 19] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a printing area and a printing path generated for the i-th layer in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of hardware for implementing an additive manufacturing path generation device according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An additive manufacturing path generating device, an additive manufacturing system, and an additive manufacturing path generating method according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an additive manufacturing system 1 according to a first embodiment. The additive manufacturing system 1 includes an additive manufacturing device 120 that forms an object by stacking a plurality of layers to which molten material is added, and a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) device 100 that generates a control program 130 for controlling the additive manufacturing device 120. The material used by the additive manufacturing device 120 is, for example, metal, resin, etc.

[0012] The CAM device 100 includes an additive manufacturing path generating device 105. The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 generates modeling path data that is the basis of a control program 130 output from the CAM device 100. The CAM device 100 includes a modeling path data storage unit 111. The modeling path data storage unit 111 stores the modeling path data generated by the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. The CAM device 100 also includes a control program generating unit 106. The control program generating unit 106 generates the control program 130 based on the modeling path data stored in the modeling path data storage unit 111. The CAM device 100 further includes a control program generation control unit 104, which controls the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 and the control program generating unit 106 to generate the modeling path data and the control program 130. The CAM device 100 further includes a process data storage unit 110 that stores process data, which is a collection of data for generating a modeling path. The control program generation control unit 104 issues a modeling path generation start instruction to the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, and inputs the data stored in the process data storage unit 110 to the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. Furthermore, the CAM device 100 includes a process data operation unit 101, a shape data input unit 102, and a path definition data input unit 103 as functional units for editing the process data stored in the process data storage unit 110.

[0013] The process data operation unit 101 operates the data stored in the process data storage unit 110 according to instructions from a CAM operator, who is a user who operates the CAM device 100. Here, the process data storage unit 110 stores a process data list in which the process data is arranged in the order of modeling. The process data is a collection of data for generating a modeling path for performing partial modeling. The process data includes shape data and path definition data to be input data to the additive manufacturing path generation device 105. The shape data includes modeling shape data indicating a modeling shape that is a target shape for additive manufacturing, layer reference surface data indicating a layer reference surface that is a surface where additive manufacturing starts and is the surface of the base material, and layer division reference surface data indicating a layer division reference surface. When the additive manufacturing path generation device 105 generates modeling path data, it divides the modeling shape into multiple layers and generates modeling path data for each layer, and the layer division reference surface is a surface that specifies the reference position and stacking direction of the layer. The path definition data includes reference curve interval data, layer division surface type data, layer division surface front side width data, layer division surface back side width data, blending section data, modeling path arrangement data, and modeling path interval data. Details of each data included in the path definition data will be described later. In addition, the process data storage unit 110 stores position data indicating the position of the process data to be edited in the process data list.

[0014] The process data operation unit 101 performs data operations such as adding process data to the process data list stored in the process data storage unit 110, deleting process data, rearranging the process data, and updating the position data of the process data to be edited in order to switch the process data to be edited, based on instructions from the CAM operator.

[0015] The shape data input unit 102 acquires shape data such as three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) data from outside the CAM device 100, extracts shape data for process data from the acquired shape data in response to an instruction from a CAM operator, and updates the shape data of the process data stored in the process data storage unit 110 with the extracted shape data. At this time, the process data to be edited is specified from the process data list using the position data, and the shape data of the specified process data is updated. The shape data input unit 102 may acquire shape data from outside the CAM device 100 via a storage medium, for example, or via a communication path. The shape data input unit 102 may also acquire the shape data for process data itself from outside the CAM device 100.

[0016] The path definition data input unit 103 acquires data defining a modeling path from outside the CAM device 100 in response to an instruction from a CAM operator, and updates the path definition data of the process data to be edited stored in the process data storage unit 110 using the acquired data. At this time, the process data to be edited is identified from the process data list using the position data, and the path definition data of the identified process data is updated. The path definition data input unit 103 may acquire data via a storage medium, for example, or via a communication path, or may acquire data input by the CAM operator using an input means such as a keyboard or a pointing device.

[0017] The control program generation control unit 104 acquires the process data list stored in the process data storage unit 110, controls the operation of the additive manufacturing path generation device 105 and the operation of the control program generation unit 106, generates manufacturing path data and a control program 130 corresponding to the acquired process data list, and outputs them to the outside of the CAM device 100.

[0018] In response to a control program generation instruction from the CAM operator, the control program generation control unit 104 acquires process data in order from the process data list stored in the process data storage unit 110, and for the acquired process data, provides the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 with shape data and path definition data in the process data and transmits a modeling path generation start instruction, thereby causing the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 to generate modeling path data for the process data. Specifically, the control program generation control unit 104 provides the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 with shape data and path definition data in the process data for each process data, and transmits a modeling path generation start instruction. When the control program generation control unit 104 transmits the shape data and path definition data in the process data for each process data and transmits a modeling path generation start instruction, the control program generation control unit 104 waits for a modeling path generation completion notification transmitted by the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 when the generation of the modeling path is completed, and receives the modeling path generation completion notification. This process is performed for all process data.

[0019] Furthermore, when the generation of the modeling path data for all the process data is completed, the control program generation control unit 104 transmits a control program generation start instruction to the control program generation unit 106 to instruct the control program generation unit 106 to start generating a control program, thereby causing the control program generation unit 106 to generate a control program 130 corresponding to the modeling path data. The control program generation control unit 104 waits for a control program generation completion notification transmitted when the control program generation unit 106 completes the generation of the control program 130, and upon receiving the control program generation completion notification, causes the control program generation unit 106 to output the generated control program 130 to the outside of the CAM device 100.

[0020] The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 receives a modeling path generation start instruction from the control program generation control unit 104, and generates modeling path data based on the shape data and path definition data provided from the control program generation control unit 104. When the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 generates the modeling path data, it stores the generated modeling path data in the modeling path data storage unit 111, and transmits a modeling path generation completion notification to the control program generation control unit 104. The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 will be described in detail later.

[0021] Upon receiving a control program generation start instruction from the control program generation control unit 104, the control program generation unit 106 acquires as input the modeling path data stored in the modeling path data storage unit 111, and generates a control program 130 for controlling the additive manufacturing device 120 based on the input data. After generating the control program 130, the control program generation unit 106 outputs the generated control program 130 to the outside of the CAM device 100, and transmits a control program generation completion notification to the control program generation control unit 104.

[0022] The additive manufacturing apparatus 120 receives as input the control program 130 output from the CAM apparatus 100, and performs additive manufacturing by operating each unit of the additive manufacturing apparatus 120 based on the analysis results of the received control program 130. The analysis results of the control program 130 include, for example, control target positions of each unit of the additive manufacturing apparatus 120.

[0023] The process data storage unit 110 stores a process data list including a plurality of process data. Each process data is a collection of data for generating a modeling path for performing partial modeling, and the process data list arranges a plurality of process data in the order of modeling. The process data storage unit 110 further stores position data indicating the position of each process data in the process data list. By using the position data, it becomes possible to specify the process data to be edited when the process data operation unit 101 edits the process data list. The process data storage unit 110 supplies the process data list to the control program generation control unit 104.

[0024] The modeling path data storage unit 111 stores the modeling path data generated by the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. The modeling path data storage unit 111 supplies the modeling path data to the control program generating unit 106.

[0025] The control program 130 is generated by the control program generation unit 106 and input to the additive manufacturing apparatus 120 .

[0026] Here, the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 will be described in detail.

[0027] The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 generates a modeling path that is the basis of the control program 130 used when the additive manufacturing device 120 executes additive manufacturing, and outputs modeling path data that indicates the generated modeling path. The modeling path is generated for each layer that is the unit of additive manufacturing. The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 divides the modeling shape, which is the target shape for additive manufacturing, into multiple layers, and generates a modeling path for each layer.

[0028] Here, the boundary surface between layers that divides the modeling shape into each layer is called a "layer division surface." The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 can generate a modeling path that can perform stable modeling by appropriately generating this layer division surface. In addition, the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 uses a "layer division reference surface" that specifies the reference position and stacking direction of the layer. It is preferable that the "layer division reference surface" is a surface that extends toward the stacking direction. For this reason, it is preferable that the layer division reference surface is a surface that intersects with the "layer reference surface" that is the surface where additive manufacturing starts. The layer reference surface is usually the surface of the base material. The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 first generates a plurality of reference curves on the layer division reference surface, which are curves that are the basis for defining the layer division surface and are part of the layer division surface. After that, the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 generates a layer division surface based on the generated reference curve. Furthermore, the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 generates a modeling path for each layer based on the generated layer division surface.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 shown in Fig. 1. The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 has a manufacturing path generation control unit 200, a reference curve generating unit 201, a layer division surface generating unit 202, and a layer manufacturing path generating unit 203.

[0030] The modeling path generation control unit 200 controls the overall operation of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. Specifically, the modeling path generation control unit 200 receives a modeling path generation start instruction from outside the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, and outputs a data generation start instruction for each layer starting from the first layer to the base curve generating unit 201. The data generation start instruction for the i-th layer is referred to as an i-th layer data generation start instruction. i is an integer of 1 or more. The modeling path generation control unit 200 operates the base curve generating unit 201, the layer division surface generating unit 202, and the layer modeling path generating unit 203 to generate modeling path data, and outputs the generated modeling path data to the outside of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. The modeling path generation control unit 200 outputs an instruction to start generating data for the i-th layer to the base curve generating unit 201, and after receiving an i-th layer data generation completion notification output by the layer modeling path generating unit 203 when the generation of the modeling path for the i-th layer is completed, increments the value of i and outputs an instruction to start generating data for the i-th layer for the next layer to the base curve generating unit 201. When a modeling area that is the source of generating the modeling path cannot be obtained, the layer modeling path generating unit 203 outputs an overall data generation completion notification to notify that the overall data generation is completed. Therefore, when the modeling path generation control unit 200 receives the overall data generation completion notification, it outputs a modeling path generation completion notification to the outside of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 and completes the generation operation of the modeling path data.

[0031] The reference curve generating unit 201 generates an ith reference curve, which is a reference curve for the ith layer, every time it receives an instruction to start generating data for the ith layer from the modeling path generation control unit 200, and outputs ith reference curve data, which is data indicating the generated ith reference curve, to each of the layer division surface generating unit 202 and the layer modeling path generating unit 203. At this time, the reference curve generating unit 201 generates the ith reference curve based on the layer reference surface data, layer division reference surface data, and path definition data provided from outside the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. Here, the layer reference surface data and the layer division reference surface data are included in the shape data provided from the control program generation control unit 104.

[0032] The layer division surface generating unit 202 receives the ith reference curve data output by the reference curve generating unit 201, generates an ith layer division surface which is a layer division surface of the ith layer based on the received ith reference curve data and the layer reference surface data, layer division reference surface data, and path definition data provided from outside the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, and outputs ith layer division surface data which is data indicating the generated ith layer division surface to the layer manufacturing path generating unit 203. Here, the layer reference surface data and the layer division reference surface data are included in the shape data provided from the control program generation control unit 104.

[0033] The layer modeling path generating unit 203 receives the i-th reference curve data output by the reference curve generating unit 201 and the i-th layer divided surface data output by the layer dividing surface generating unit 202, generates i-th modeling path data, which is modeling path data for the i-th layer, based on the received i-th reference curve data and i-th layer divided surface data, and modeling shape data and path definition data provided from outside the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, and outputs the generated i-th modeling path data to the outside of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. Here, the modeling shape data is data indicating the shape of the object to be modeled. In addition, the layer modeling path generating unit 203 generates i-th modeling region data, which is data indicating the shape of the i-th modeling region, which is a part to be modeled in the i-th layer, based on the i-th layer divided surface data and the modeling shape data. Specifically, the layer modeling path generating unit 203 extracts a portion where the i-th layer divided surface and the modeling shape overlap as the i-th modeling region. Here, when the layer modeling path generating unit 203 is able to generate the ith modeling region data, it generates the ith modeling path data and outputs it to the outside of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, and outputs an ith layer data generation completion notification to notify the completion of the processing of the ith layer to the modeling path generation control unit 200. When the layer modeling path generating unit 203 is unable to generate the ith modeling region data, that is, when there is no portion where the ith layer division surface and the modeling shape overlap, it outputs an entire data generation completion notification to the modeling path generation control unit 200 to notify the completion of the generation of all modeling path data for the target process data.

[0034] Here, the operation of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 will be described using a specific example. Here, an example of manufacturing a three-dimensional object having the manufacturing shape shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a target manufacturing shape M for which the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 in FIG. 2 generates a manufacturing path. FIG. 3 shows a manufacturing shape M to be manufactured on a base material B. This manufacturing shape M has a shape in which the angle with respect to the direction of gravity varies depending on the position, and the difference in angle with respect to the direction of gravity becomes larger between the front side and the back side as the part is further away from the base material B. For such a manufacturing shape M, a layer division reference plane F is used as shown in FIG. 4. R It is desirable to set the layer reference plane F shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of shape data for the printing shape M shown in FIG. 3. As described above, the shape data includes printing shape data, layer reference plane data, and layer division reference plane data. B is the surface of the substrate B. Also, the layer division reference plane F shown in FIG. R is one of the surfaces that make up the object shape M, and the layer reference surface F B It is preferable that the surface extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

[0035] 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the molding shape M is divided into a plurality of layers. In the example of FIG. 5, the molding shape M is divided into layers L1, L2, ...L i ,L i+1 The model is divided into multiple layers indicated by , .... When performing additive manufacturing, stable modeling can be performed for the model shape M by stacking layers with partially different thicknesses within one layer, as shown in Fig. 5. A method for generating an additive manufacturing path that can divide the model shape into such layers and perform stable modeling is described below.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 shown in Fig. 2. When a modeling path generation start command is input from outside the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, the modeling path generation control unit 200 repeatedly executes the processes from step S300 to step S305 while incrementing the value of the layer number i by 1 in sequence starting from 1 until the layer loop is exited.

[0037] When the modeling path generation control unit 200 outputs an instruction to start generating data for the i-th layer to the reference curve generating unit 201, the reference curve generating unit 201 generates the i-th reference curve and outputs the i-th reference curve data indicating the generated i-th reference curve to each of the layer division surface generating unit 202 and the layer modeling path generating unit 203 (step S301).

[0038] 7 is a flow chart for explaining the details of step S301 in FIG. 6. The base curve generating unit 201 judges whether the layer to be generated is the first layer (step S400). If it is the first layer (step S400: Yes), the base curve generating unit 201 generates a layer base plane F B and layer division reference plane F R A line of intersection with the line of intersection is generated as a first reference curve, and first reference curve data indicating the generated first reference curve is stored (step S401).

[0039] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reference curve generated for the object shape M shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 8, a layer reference plane F B and layer division reference plane F R A first reference curve C1 is shown, which is the line of intersection with

[0040] Returning to the description of FIG. 7, if it is not the first layer (step S400: No), the base curve generating unit 201 generates a layer division base plane F based on the (i-1)th base curve of the layer one layer below the target layer and the base curve interval indicated by the base curve interval data. R The i-th reference curve is generated above, and the i-th reference curve data indicating the generated i-th reference curve is stored (step S402).

[0041] 9 is a diagram showing an example of reference curve interval data included in the path definition data acquired by the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 in FIG. 2. The reference curve interval data shown in FIG. 9 is a table showing reference curve intervals h i Specifically, for the first layer, the reference curve interval h i = 1.5 mm, and the reference curve interval h i = 1.0 mm, and for the 6th layer and onwards, the reference curve interval h i= 0.7 mm. Reference curve interval h i The larger the value of the layer number i, that is, the larger the layer reference plane F B The distance between the reference curves is far from the center of the workpiece, and becomes narrower as the workpiece progresses. As the workpiece progresses, heat energy accumulates in the workpiece during the workpiece creation process, which makes it easier for the material to drip in the direction of gravity, and reduces the accuracy of the workpiece. i The wider the reference curve interval h, the thicker the target layer will be, and the time required for additive manufacturing can be shortened, but material dripping is more likely to occur. For this reason, taking into account the time required for additive manufacturing and the likelihood of material dripping, it is recommended to set the reference curve interval h to a certain extent in the early stages of manufacturing, when material dripping is less likely to occur. i As the printing progresses, the reference curve interval h i It is preferable to narrow the reference curve interval h. Note that the example in which the value is changed in three steps shown in FIG. 9 is just an example. i The value may be changed in two steps, or in four or more steps.

[0042] When using the reference curve interval data as shown in FIG. 9, the reference curve generating unit 201 sets an interval of 1.5 mm between the first reference curve C1 and the second layer, and sets the layer division reference plane F R Similarly, for the third layer and onward, the reference curve generating unit 201 generates the i-th reference curve C i and the reference curve interval h i The layer division reference plane F R The i-th reference curve C above i As a result, the base curve generating unit 201 generates the layer base plane F B and layer division reference plane F R After generating the line of intersection with as the first reference curve C1, a curve is generated incrementally from the previously generated lower reference curve at the reference curve interval given for each reference curve.

[0043] Here, the i-th reference curve C i A method for generating the (i-1)th reference curve C as shown in FIG. i-1 Multiple points on P i-1,j and the reference curve interval hi-1 Based on the above, multiple points P i,j Generate a point P i,j The i-th reference curve C i where j is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The (i-1)th reference curve C i-1 Multiple points on P i-1,j There is no particular limitation on the method of generating the reference curve. For example, the reference curve generating unit 201 may generate points P i-1,j or a layer division reference plane F R In areas where the change in the normal direction of is large, many points P i-1,j may be generated.

[0044] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a method for generating a reference curve. FIG. 10 shows the (i-1)th reference curve C i-1 Point P on the top i-1,j From point P i,j FIG. 10 shows a method for calculating the point P i-1,j Point P i-1,j The i-1st reference curve C i-1 Tangential direction T i-1,j The reference curve generating unit 201 calculates a point P i-1,j The reference curve interval h is centered on i-1 A circle with a radius of and a layer division reference plane F R Among the intersections with the layer reference plane F B The point farthest from the i-th base curve C i Point P on the top i,j That is, the reference curve generating unit 201 calculates the point P i-1,j Point P i-1,j The i-1st reference curve C i-1 Tangential direction T i-1,j On a plane perpendicular to i-1,j The straight-line distance between the reference curve interval h i-1 The layer division reference plane F R Of the two points above, the layer reference plane F B The point farthest from the i-th base curve C i Point P on the top i,j The reference curve generating unit 201 calculates the plurality of points P i,jBy interpolating the i-th base curve C i can be generated.

[0045] 11 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a method for generating a reference curve. In the same manner as in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 shows a method for generating a reference curve by dividing a point P i-1,j Point P i-1,j The i-1st reference curve C i-1 Tangential direction T i-1,j The reference curve generating unit 201 calculates a plane perpendicular to the point P i-1,j The i-1st reference curve C i-1 Tangential direction T i-1,j And point P i-1,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i-1,j Among the directions perpendicular to the layer reference plane F B Direction away from M i-1,j Calculate the point P i-1,j Direction M i-1,j The reference curve interval h i-1 Point Q moved by i,j Then, the reference curve generating unit 201 calculates the point Q i,j Layer division reference plane F R The closest point on the top is point P i,j In this case, the point P i-1,j and point P i,j The straight-line distance between the reference curves is the reference curve interval h i-1 However, the reference curve interval h i-1 This makes it possible to generate an approximation of the reference curve, and also makes it possible to reduce the amount of calculations compared to the first example described with reference to FIG.

[0046] Here, the method of generating a reference curve by the reference curve generating unit 201 has been described with reference to the first and second examples, but the method of generating a reference curve by the reference curve generating unit 201 is not limited to the exemplified methods. B and layer division reference plane F R The intersection line with is generated as the first standard curve, and the intersection line and the standard curve interval h i Based on the layer division reference plane F R It is sufficient to generate multiple reference curves on the basis of the above.

[0047] Returning to the description of Fig. 7, after the processing of step S401 or step S402 is completed, the base curve generating unit 201 outputs the i-th base curve data indicating the generated i-th base curve to each of the layer division surface generating unit 202 and the layer modeling path generating unit 203 (step S403), and ends the base curve generating operation shown in Fig. 7.

[0048] Returning to the description of Fig. 6. When the base curve generating unit 201 generates the ith base curve in step S301, the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the ith layer division surface based on the ith base curve data indicating the ith base curve generated by the base curve generating unit 201, the layer base surface data provided from outside the additive manufacturing path generating device 105, the layer division base surface data, and the path definition data (step S302). The layer division surface generating unit 202 outputs the ith division surface data indicating the generated ith division surface to the layer manufacturing path generating unit 203.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a first example of a method for generating a layer division surface. FIG. 12 shows details of step S302 in FIG. 6. Here, the "layer division surface type" used for generating a layer division surface will be explained. In this embodiment, three methods for generating a layer division surface are shown. As information indicating each of these generating methods, layer division surface type data included in the path definition data is provided. The layer division surface generating unit 202 can determine the layer division surface type used for the corresponding molding shape M by referring to the layer division surface type data included in the path definition data. The layer division surface type data may be predetermined in the design stage in association with the process data, or may be specified by the CAM operator using the path definition data input unit 103 for each molding. For example, in this embodiment, the "layer division surface type" is assumed to be "1", "2" or "3". Details of the method for generating a layer division surface for each type will be explained below.

[0050] First, the layer division surface generating unit 202 judges whether the "layer division surface type" indicated by the layer division surface type data included in the path definition data is "1" (step S500). If the layer division surface type is "1" (step S500: Yes), the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th reference curve C i Each point P on i,j In the layer division reference plane F R In step S501, the layer division plane generating unit 202 generates a straight line extending along the normal direction of the layer division reference plane data as a cross-section line. i,j A plurality of section lines corresponding to each of the above are generated.

[0051] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a method for generating a layer division surface. The first example corresponds to a method indicated by "1" in the "layer division surface type". The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j At point P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j A straight line L extending to i,j Specifically, the layer division plane generating unit 202 generates a section line by dividing the layer division reference plane data into points P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j Calculate the point P i,j Passing through, the calculated normal direction N i,j A straight line extending along the layer division surface F and having a length determined by using the layer division surface front side width data and the layer division surface back side width data included in the path definition data is generated as a cross-sectional line. i The data defines the width of the layer division surface surface side width d F is the layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j The layer division surface back width data indicates the layer division surface back width d R is the layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j The layer division surface generating unit 202 indicates the width in the opposite direction of the point Pi,j Passing through, the calculated normal direction N i,j A straight line extending along the point P i,j From normal direction N i,j The length of the layer division surface is the surface width d F And at point P i,j From normal direction N i,j The length in the opposite direction is the back width d of the layer division surface R A straight line L i,j is generated as a cross-sectional line. Note that the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j is the i-th reference curve C i It may be the one used in the process of generating the i-th reference curve C i The layer division surface generating unit 202 may newly define the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j For each of the lines L i,j By generating a plurality of cross-section lines, multiple cross-section lines can be obtained.

[0052] Returning to the description of FIG. 12, if the layer division surface type is not "1" (step S500: No), the layer division surface generating unit 202 judges whether the "layer division surface type" indicated by the layer division surface type data included in the path definition data is "2" (step S502). If the layer division surface type is "2" (step S502: Yes), the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th reference curve C i Each point P on i,j In the layer reference plane F B Reflecting the shape of the layer, the layer division reference plane F R A curve extending along the normal direction of the cross section is generated as a cross section line (step S503).

[0053] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of a method for generating a layer division surface. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the details of a method for generating a section line of the first layer in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 shows the j-th point P 1,j This shows how to generate a section line for point P 1,j Point P 1,j The tangent direction T of the first reference curve C1 at 1,jThe second example corresponds to the method in which the "layer division surface type" is indicated by "2". The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j At point P i,j Passing through the layer reference plane F B Reflecting the shape of point P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j A curve S extending to i,j is generated as the section line.

[0054] First, a method for generating a section line in the first layer will be described. In the case of the first layer, the layer division surface generating unit 202 divides each point P 1,j Passing through point P 1,j The tangent direction T of the first reference curve C1 at 1,j and the layer reference plane F B The curve S generated by the intersection with 1,j At this time, the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer division surface front side width d F and the back width of the layer division surface d R The length of the curve S is determined based on 1,j Generate.

[0055] The layer division surface generating unit 202 divides the curve S 1,j There are various methods for generating the layer division surface. As an example, the method shown in FIG. 15 is considered. For example, the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the layer division surface P 1,j Point P 1,j The tangent direction T of the first reference curve C1 at 1,j On a plane perpendicular to 1,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N 1,j A straight line L extending to 1,j This line L 1,j The method of generating the line L explained in Figure 13 is i,j The method for generating the line L is the same as that for generating the line L. 1,j is the point P 1,j From normal direction N 1,j The length of the layer division surface is the surface width d F And at point P1,j From normal direction N 1,j The length in the opposite direction is the back width d of the layer division surface R Then, the layer division surface generating unit 202 calculates the point P 1,j Point P 1,j The tangent direction T of the first reference curve C1 at 1,j In a plane perpendicular to the line L 1,j Point PL 1,j,k For point PL 1,j,k Passing through the line L 1,j and a line perpendicular to the layer reference plane F B The intersection point with the cross-sectional curve is the point PS 1,j,k Calculate multiple points PS 1,j,k For the same j, we interpolate the curve S 1,j can be generated.

[0056] In addition, the layer division surface generating unit 202 determines a point P on the first base curve C1. 1,j through the normal direction N 1,j A straight line L extending along 1,j The layer reference plane F B By projecting it onto the curve S 1,j It is also possible to generate a straight line L 1,j Point PL 1,j,k Layer reference plane F B By finding the closest point on the line L, and then interpolating the closest point, 1,j The layer reference plane F B We can get the curve projected above.

[0057] Next, a method for generating a section line for the second layer or higher will be described. For the second layer or higher, the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a curve S 1,j Using this, the curve S, which is the cross-sectional line of the second layer and onwards, i,j Specifically, the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a curve S 1,j Point P on the top 1,j But at point P i,j Curve S overlaps with 1,j A curve is generated by translating the i-th reference curve C i Point P on the topi,j Centered on the i-th standard curve C i The layer division reference plane F at the position R The curve S rotated according to i,j can be generated as a section line. In addition, when rotating, point P i,j through the normal direction N 1,j and N i,j The axis perpendicular to both of the curves S and S is the rotation axis. Here, the thickness of the layer changes depending on the angle at which the layer division surface generator 202 rotates the curve S. 1,j The curve after translation is called point P 1,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N 1,j is point P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j The layer division surface generating unit 202 rotates and moves the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j For each of the curves S i,j By generating a plurality of cross-section lines, multiple cross-section lines can be obtained.

[0058] Returning to the description of FIG. 12, if the layer division surface type is not "2" (step S502: No), that is, if the layer division surface type is "3", the layer division surface generating unit 202 i Each point P on i,j In the layer division reference plane F R A line extending along the normal direction of the layer reference plane F B Reflecting the shape of the layer, the layer division reference plane F R In other words, in step S504, both the straight line generated in step S501 and the curve generated in step S503 are generated.

[0059] Then, the layer division surface generating unit 202 blends the generated straight lines and curves to generate, as cross-section lines, curves with a curvature lower than that of the curves generated in step S504 (step S505).

[0060] Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of a method for generating a layer division surface. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of details of a method for generating a section line of the i-th layer in Fig. 16. Fig. 17 shows the j-th point P i,j This shows how to generate a section line for point P i,j Point P i,j The i-th reference curve C i Tangential direction T i,j The third example corresponds to the method in which the "layer division surface type" is indicated by "3". The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j At point P i,j Passing through point P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j A straight line L extending to i,j and the layer reference plane F B Reflecting the shape of point P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j A curve S extending to i,j and generate a straight line L i,j and curve S i,j By blending with curve B, i,j Here, blending means to mix the characteristics of two things to generate a new one. In this case, the straight line L i,j Curvature of (0) and curve S i,j That is, the curve S has a curvature between the curvature of i,j Curve B has a lower curvature than i,j This refers to generating

[0061] Here, the layer division surface generating unit 202 divides the layer into two parts by a straight line L i,j Point PL i,j,k Including line L i,j A plane and a curve S perpendicular to i,j Intersection with PS i,j,k Find the intersection point PS i,j,k and point PL i,j,k Based on this, the blended point PB is calculated using the following formula (1). i,j,kThe blended curve B can be obtained. i,j is the blended point PB i,j,k is defined as the curve obtained by interpolating

[0062]

number

[0063] In addition, b(t) in equation (1) is a function that takes a value between 0 and 1 for the total value t of the reference curve interval between the first layer and the i-th layer, and is defined, for example, as shown in the following equation (2).

[0064]

number

[0065] R in formula (2) B is the distance given as the blending section data in the route definition data, and the blended curve B becomes smaller as it goes from the first layer to the upper layer. i,j Line L from i,j This defines the interval in which the

[0066] straight line L i,j and curve S i,j Both of these are layer division reference planes F R Normal direction N i,j Since the line is inclined according to the i,j The layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th base curve C i Each point P on i,j For each of the curves B i,j By generating a plurality of cross-section lines, multiple cross-section lines can be obtained.

[0067] Returning to the description of Fig. 12, when multiple section lines are generated in step S501, step S503, or step S505 depending on the layer division surface type, the layer division surface generating unit 202 generates the i-th layer division surface F by interpolating the generated section lines. i is generated (step S506).

[0068] In any of the first, second and third examples of the layer division surface generation method, the section line is aligned with the layer division reference surface F R Normal direction N i,j Therefore, the i-th layer division surface F i The layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j Therefore, the i-th layer division surface F i Here, the "layer having an inappropriately constant thickness" refers to, for example, a state in which a lower layer is present in the layer to be modeled in the direction of irradiation with a heat source that melts the material during additive manufacturing. If a lower layer is present in the layer to be modeled in the direction of irradiation with a heat source that melts the material during additive manufacturing, the lower layer can support the molten material, enabling stable additive manufacturing.

[0069] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, the layer division surface generation unit 202 generates the i-th layer division surface F i After generating the layer modeling path, the layer modeling path generating unit 203 generates the i-th layer modeling path based on the modeling shape data, the path definition data, the i-th reference curve data, and the i-th layer divided surface data (step S303). The layer modeling path generating unit 203 outputs modeling path data indicating the generated i-th layer modeling path to the outside of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105.

[0070] 18 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the method for generating a modeling path, which illustrates the details of step S303 in FIG.

[0071] The layer modeling path generating unit 203 generates the i-th layer divided surface F based on the modeling shape data and the i-th layer divided surface data. iThe region where the i-th layer division surface F overlaps with the printing shape M is generated as the i-th printing region (step S600). i No printing region is generated if there is no region where the printing shape overlaps with the printing shape M. The layer printing path generating unit 203 determines whether or not a printing region has been generated (Step S601).

[0072] If there is a printing area (Step S601: Yes), the layer printing path generating unit 203 generates a printing path from the printing area data indicating the generated printing area and the printing path arrangement data and the printing path interval data in the path definition data (Step S602), and outputs the printing path data indicating the generated printing path to the outside of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105. In this case, the layer printing path generating unit 203 outputs an ith layer data generation completion notification to the printing path generation control unit 200 (Step S603).

[0073] 19 is a diagram showing an example of a printing area and a printing path generated for the i-th layer in FIG. i A modeling path is generated so that the i-th reference curve C i Parallel printing path TP i,1 ~TP i,4 Each printing path is generated with the bead area centered on the printing path being the printing area R i Here, the layer modeling path generating unit 203 generates the layer modeling path so as to cover the interval d i and interval w i Specifically, the layer printing path generating unit 203 generates a printing path using the i-th reference curve C i For interval d i Take the i-th reference curve C i Parallel modeling path TP i,1 and, Modeling Path TP i,1 For interval w i Take the modeling path TP i,1 Parallel modeling path TP i,2 and, Modeling Path TP i,2 For interval w i Take the modeling path TPi,2 Parallel modeling path TP i,3 and, Modeling Path TP i,3 For interval w i Take the modeling path TP i,3 Parallel modeling path TP i,4 Here, the i-th reference curve C i We decided to generate a modeling path parallel to the modeling area R i The modeling path for the i-th reference curve C i It is not necessary to parallel the printing area R i The direction based on the long and short directions of the shape can be based on the coordinate system in which the shape is expressed. i Any shaping path that can cover the above may be used.

[0074] Returning to the description of Fig. 18, if there is no printing area (Step S601: No), the layer printing path generation unit 203 outputs an overall data generation completion notification to the printing path generation control unit 200 to notify that generation of all data for the target process data has been completed (Step S604).

[0075] Returning to the description of FIG. 6, the modeling path generation control unit 200 determines whether the generation of all data is completed (step S304). Here, the modeling path generation control unit 200 can determine whether the generation of all data is completed based on whether the modeling path generation control unit 200 has received an overall data generation completion notification from the layer modeling path generation unit 203. If the generation of all data is completed (step S304: Yes), the modeling path generation control unit 200 exits the layer loop and ends the operation shown in FIG. 6. If the generation of all data is not completed (step S304: No), the modeling path generation control unit 200 proceeds to step S305, returns to step S300, increments the value of i, and continues the generation operation of modeling path data for the next layer.

[0076] 20 is a diagram showing an example of hardware for realizing the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 according to the first embodiment. The processor 11 is a CPU (also called a central processing unit, processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)), a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), or the like. The memory 12 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a hard disk drive, or the like. The interface circuit 13 is a circuit for the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 to exchange data with an external device.

[0077] The additive manufacturing path generation control unit 200, the reference curve generating unit 201, the layer division surface generating unit 202 and the layer manufacturing path generating unit 203 of the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 are realized by the processor 11 executing programs for operating as each of these units.

[0078] The program is stored in advance in the memory 12. The processor 11 reads out the program from the memory 12 and executes it. It is assumed that the program is stored in advance in the memory 12, but is not limited to this. The program may be written in a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM and supplied to the user, and the user may install the program in the memory 12. In this case, the hardware realizing the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 further includes a reading device for reading the program from the recording medium. Also, the program may be installed by connecting the reading device to the interface circuit 13. The program may be installed via a communication path.

[0079] As described above, the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 according to the first embodiment divides the target shape M of additive manufacturing, which is a shape to be manufactured by stacking layers formed by adding material along a modeling path, into multiple layers, and generates a modeling path for each layer. The additive manufacturing path generating device 105 divides the target shape M into multiple layers, which is a shape to be manufactured by additive manufacturing, which is a shape to be manufactured by stacking layers formed by adding material along a modeling path, into multiple layers, and generates a modeling path for each layer. R and the layer reference surface F, which is the substrate surface where additive manufacturing begins. B Then, stepwise, a layer division reference surface F is generated by taking the reference curve interval indicating the interval between adjacent reference curves given for each reference curve from the previously generated reference curve. R A base curve generating unit 201 generates the curve above as a base curve, and for each of the base curves, a layer division surface F that is a surface including the base curve and divides the object shape M. i At each of the points on the base curve, the layer division surface F i The normal direction of the layer division reference plane F R a layer division surface generating unit 202 for generating a layer division surface F so that the direction of the layer division surface F corresponds to the normal direction of the layer division surface F; i and a layer-modeling path generating unit 203 that extracts, for each of the above, an overlapping portion between the layer division surface and the modeling shape as a layer modeling area, and generates a modeling path for adding material to the extracted layer modeling area.

[0080] With the above configuration, the layer division surface F that divides the model shape M is i At each of the points on the base curve, the normal direction is the layer division base plane F R Specifically, in the above embodiment, the layer division plane F i For each point P i,j Layer splitting surface F i The normal direction of the layer division reference plane F R This allows the heat source for melting the material to be generated perpendicular to the normal direction of the layer division surface F even if the shape M of the substrate B has a partially different inclination with respect to the surface of the substrate B. iWhen the heat source is irradiated from the normal direction of the layer, layers having different thicknesses can be generated in the same layer so that there is a layer below the layer being modeled in the direction of irradiation of the heat source. Therefore, the additive manufacturing path generating device 105 can generate a modeling path that allows stable modeling.

[0081] It is preferable that the reference curve generating unit 201 receives a value that specifies the reference curve interval for each reference curve. This makes it possible to adjust the layer thickness according to the effect of heat accumulation on the model.

[0082] The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer division reference surface F at each of a plurality of points on the base curve for each of the plurality of base curves. R A straight line L extending along the normal direction of i,j , curve S i,j , or curve B i,j A layer division surface F is generated based on the generated multiple section lines. i The cross section line can be generated as a straight line L i,j , curve S i,j , or curve B i,j The layer division plane type data determines which of the two is used. B is a plane and layer split surface type "1" is used, and layer reference surface F B is a curved surface and layer split surface type "2" is used, and layer reference surface F B In the example shown, the layer reference plane F is a curved surface and the layer division plane type "3" is used, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, B Even if the surface is curved, the layer division surface type "1" may be used. B By using different methods depending on the shape of the object and the shape to be molded, more stable molding can be achieved.

[0083] i-th standard curve C i Multiple points on P i,j A section line is generated that passes through each of the layers, and the angle of each section line is calculated based on the layer division reference plane F RBy adjusting the normal direction of the layer, it is possible to generate an appropriate layer even for a modeling shape M in which the inclination of parts of the same layer with respect to the surface of the base material B varies depending on the part. This makes it possible to obtain a modeling path that enables stable modeling.

[0084] The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer division reference surface F at each of a plurality of points on the base curve for each of the plurality of base curves. R A straight line L extending along the normal direction of i,j The layer division surface F is generated by interpolating the generated section lines for each reference curve. i Here, "at each of the multiple points on the reference curve, the layer division reference plane F R The straight line extending along the normal direction of the i-th base curve C i Multiple points on P i,j and pass through each of the points P i,j Layer division reference plane F R Normal direction N i,j At point P along i,j The cross-sectional line refers to a straight line extending on both sides of the cross-sectional line. The method of using straight lines as cross-sectional lines has the advantage of being able to reduce the amount of calculations compared to using curved lines, and being able to keep the direction of heat source irradiation constant within the same layer, making it possible to perform stable modeling. The direction of heat source irradiation is generally set to the normal direction of the irradiated part of the surface to be irradiated.

[0085] The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer division reference surface F at each of a plurality of points on the base curve for each of the plurality of base curves. R , and the layer reference plane F in the layer stacking direction. B The curve S reflects the shape of i,j The layer division surface F is generated by interpolating the generated section lines for each reference curve. i The method of using a curve as a section line can also be used to generate a layer reference plane F B This is effective when the surface is curved.

[0086] The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer reference surface F B At each of the points on the reference curve included in the above, a plane perpendicular to the reference curve and a layer reference plane F B It is also possible to generate a section line based on the intersection line with the layer reference plane F. B At each of the points on the reference curve included in the above, a plane perpendicular to the reference curve and a layer reference plane F B The intersection line with the first layer's reference curve is 1,j and the plane perpendicular to the layer reference plane F B Specifically, the above intersection line is used as the section line of the first layer, and the section lines of the second layer and beyond are generated based on this intersection line.

[0087] The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer reference surface F B Several points P on the reference curve included in 1,j At each of the points P 1,j Point P passes through 1,j Layer division reference plane F R A straight line parallel to the normal direction of the layer reference plane F B A section line may be generated based on the curve projected onto it.

[0088] The layer division surface generating unit 202 generates a layer reference surface F for each of the plurality of base curves. B Several points P on the reference curve included in 1,j In each of the above, the plane perpendicular to the reference curve and the layer reference plane F B The curve S which is the intersection with 1,j and the layer division reference plane F R A straight line L extending along the normal direction of i,j and generate the intersection curve S 1,j and the line L i,j The curve S is the intersection line that is blended based on i,j Curve B has a lower curvature than i,j The method of generating a section line using the method called blending above is, for example, the layer reference plane F B The model is shaped according to the shape of the layer reference plane F BThis can be used to reduce the degree of reflection of the shape of the part and make it closer to a flat surface. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of finishing after molding, for example, when the part corresponding to the final layer of the molding shape is close to a flat surface.

[0089] Moreover, according to the first embodiment, it is also possible to provide an additive manufacturing path generation method for dividing a target shape of additive manufacturing, which is a shape that is a target shape of additive manufacturing in which a model is manufactured by stacking a plurality of layers formed by adding material along a modeling path, into a plurality of layers and generating a modeling path for each layer. The additive manufacturing path generation method uses a layer division reference plane F, which is a plane that specifies the reference position and stacking direction of a layer, R and the layer reference surface F, which is the substrate surface where additive manufacturing begins. B Then, stepwise, a layer division reference surface F is generated by taking the reference curve interval indicating the interval between adjacent reference curves given for each reference curve from the previously generated reference curve. R The method includes the steps of: generating the above curve as a reference curve; generating, for each of the plurality of reference curves, a layer division surface which is a surface including the reference curve and which divides the modeling shape, such that at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve, the normal direction of the layer division surface corresponds to the normal direction of the layer division reference surface; and extracting, for each of the plurality of layer division surfaces, a portion where the layer division surface intersects with the modeling shape as a layer modeling area, and generating a modeling path for adding material to the extracted layer modeling area.

[0090] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies. Parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the layer division surface F is determined by using the layer division surface front side width data and the layer division surface back side width data. i This reduces the load of calculation processing while ensuring that the layer division surface F can cross the model shape M. iAny data may be used as long as it is possible to limit the calculation range so as to reliably traverse the forming shape M while reducing the load of the calculation process. For example, the range of the calculation target may be indicated using information indicating the size of a solid such as a rectangular parallelepiped or sphere that contains the forming shape M. The information indicating the size of the solid may be the length of the diagonal in the case of a rectangular parallelepiped, or the diameter in the case of a sphere. It is possible to define the range of the calculation target by determining in advance the reference position for placing the solid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 additive manufacturing system, 11 processor, 12 memory, 13 interface circuit, 100 CAM device, 101 process data operation unit, 102 shape data input unit, 103 path definition data input unit, 104 control program generation control unit, 105 additive manufacturing path generation device, 106 control program generation unit, 110 process data storage unit, 111 modeling path data storage unit, 120 additive manufacturing device, 130 control program, 200 modeling path generation control unit, 201 base curve generation unit, 202 layer division surface generation unit, 203 layer modeling path generation unit, B base material, B i,j ,S i,j curve, C i i-th reference curve, F B Layer reference plane, F R Layer division reference plane, F i Layer division plane, L i,j Straight line, M Shape, R i Modeling area.

Claims

1. 1. An additive manufacturing path generation device that divides a target shape of additive manufacturing into a plurality of layers and generates a modeling path for each layer, the target shape being a shape of additive manufacturing, in which a model is manufactured by stacking a plurality of layers formed by adding material along a modeling path, a reference curve generation unit that generates, as a reference curve, an intersection line between a layer division reference surface, which is a surface that specifies a reference position and stacking direction of the layer, and a layer reference surface, which is the surface of the base material where the additive manufacturing is started, and further generates, in a progressive manner, a curve on the layer division reference surface that takes a reference curve interval, which indicates the interval between adjacent reference curves given for each reference curve, from the previously generated reference curve; a layer division surface generating unit that generates, for each of the plurality of reference curves, a layer division surface that is a surface that includes the reference curve and divides the modeling shape, such that a normal direction of the layer division surface at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve corresponds to a normal direction of the layer division reference surface; a layer-forming path generating unit that extracts, for each of the plurality of layer division surfaces, a portion where the layer division surface and the modeling shape overlap as a layer-forming area, and generates the modeling path that adds the material to the extracted layer-forming area; An additive manufacturing path generation device comprising:

2. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference curve generation unit receives a value that specifies the interval for each of the reference curves.

3. 2. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 1, wherein the layer division surface generation unit generates, for each of the plurality of reference curves, a cross-section line extending along a normal direction of the layer division reference surface at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve, and generates the layer division surface based on the generated cross-section lines.

4. 4. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 3, wherein the layer division surface generation unit generates, for each of the plurality of reference curves, a straight line extending along a normal direction of the layer division reference surface at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve as a cross-section line, and generates the layer division surface by interpolating the generated cross-section lines for each of the reference curves.

5. 4. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 3, wherein the layer division surface generation unit generates, for each of the plurality of reference curves, a curve that extends along a normal direction of the layer division reference surface at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve and reflects the shape of the layer reference surface in the stacking direction of the layer as the cross-sectional line, and generates the layer division surface by interpolating the generated cross-sectional lines for each of the reference curves.

6. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 5, characterized in that the layer division surface generation unit generates the cross-sectional line based on an intersection line between a plane perpendicular to the reference curve and the layer reference surface at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve included in the layer reference surface.

7. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 5, characterized in that the layer division surface generation unit generates the cross-sectional line at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve included in the layer reference surface based on a curve obtained by projecting onto the layer reference surface a straight line that passes through the point and is parallel to the normal direction of the layer division reference surface at the point.

8. 4. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to claim 3, wherein the layer division surface generation unit generates, for each of the plurality of reference curves, an intersection line between a plane perpendicular to the reference curve and the layer reference surface, and a straight line extending along a normal direction of the layer division reference surface, at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve included in the layer reference surface, and generates, based on the intersection line and the straight line, a curve having a curvature lower than that of the intersection line as the cross-sectional line.

9. The additive manufacturing path generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; an additive manufacturing device that performs the additive manufacturing; a control program generation unit that generates a control program for controlling the additive manufacturing device based on the manufacturing path generated by the additive manufacturing path generation device; An additive manufacturing system comprising:

10. 1. An additive manufacturing path generation method for dividing a target shape of additive manufacturing into a plurality of layers to generate a modeling path for each layer, the target shape being a shape of additive manufacturing in which a model is manufactured by stacking a plurality of layers formed by adding material along a modeling path, generating, as a reference curve, an intersection line between a layer division reference surface, which is a surface that specifies the reference position and stacking direction of the layer, and a layer reference surface, which is the surface of the base material where the additive manufacturing starts, and further gradually generating, as the reference curve, a curve on the layer division reference surface that takes a reference curve interval, which indicates the interval between the reference curves given for each of the reference curves, from the previously generated reference curve; generating, for each of the plurality of reference curves, a layer division surface that is a surface including the reference curve and that divides the modeling shape, such that a normal direction of the layer division surface at each of a plurality of points on the reference curve corresponds to a normal direction of the layer division reference surface; extracting, for each of the plurality of layer division surfaces, a portion where the layer division surface and the modeling shape overlap as a layer modeling area, and generating the modeling path for adding the material to the extracted layer modeling area; An additive manufacturing path generation method comprising:

Images