3D printing method and system, electronic device and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of printing devices. Disclosed are a 3D printing method and system, an electronic device and a storage medium. The method comprises: acquiring printing information, wherein the printing information comprises a consumables printing sequence; on the basis of the consumables printing sequence, controlling a first nozzle assembly to use a first consumable to perform printing; on the basis of the consumables printing sequence, controlling a second consumable that is required next by the first nozzle assembly to be transferred from a first consumables storage apparatus to a first branch channel of a first material-guiding apparatus; in response to a first material-change instruction, controlling the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to a second branch channel of the first material-guiding apparatus; and after detecting that the first consumable has been returned to the second branch channel, controlling the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to a first main conveying channel of the first material-guiding apparatus, such that the first nozzle assembly performs printing using the second consumable.

Description

3D printing methods, systems, electronic devices, and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printing equipment, specifically to a 3D printing method, system, electronic device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing technology is an additive manufacturing technology, and there are many types of printers available. Currently, the most commonly used type is based on the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process. The working process of this type of printer involves feeding material into a cartridge, melting the filament into a liquid state using high temperatures, then extruding it through the print head and allowing it to solidify. Finally, the filament is arranged in three-dimensional space to form a physical object. The cartridge is one of the most important components of a 3D printer, playing a crucial role in the printing effect and is one of the core devices in 3D printing.

[0003] In related technologies, during the 3D printing process, an extruder is used to drive the filament into the print head, and then the molten filament is extruded from the print head for printing. However, during the printing process, there may be situations where the filament needs to be changed. Existing methods require operators to stay by the printer for a long time to manually change the filament. If the filament tray is not changed in time, the printing will fail, which greatly reduces work efficiency and filament utilization.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this application proposes a 3D printing method, system, electronic device, and storage medium that can effectively improve the material changing efficiency of the printer.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application proposes a 3D printing method applied to a 3D printing system, the 3D printing system including a printer and at least one consumable storage device, the printer including at least one material guiding device and at least one nozzle assembly; the 3D printing method includes: acquiring printing information, the printing information including a consumable printing sequence; controlling a first nozzle assembly to print using a first consumable based on the consumable printing sequence; controlling the next second consumable required by the first nozzle assembly to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to a first branch channel of the first material guiding device based on the consumable printing sequence; responding to a first material changing command, controlling the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to a second branch channel of the first material guiding device; and, after detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, controlling the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to a first main conveying channel of the first material guiding device, so that the first nozzle assembly can print using the second consumable.

[0007] Compared with related technologies, the embodiments of this application have at least the following advantages: initially, the printhead assembly of the printer extrudes the second consumable for printing. When the printer needs to switch to the first consumable for printing, it sends a material change command. In response to the material change command, the printer selects the first consumable storage device containing the first consumable and controls the first consumable to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel. At the same time, the printer controls the first printhead assembly to stop ejecting the second consumable that is currently being printed and controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first printhead assembly to the second branch channel through the main transport channel. At this time, the first consumable is transferred from the first branch channel to the main transport channel so that the first printhead assembly ejects the first consumable. By setting up a main conveyor channel and multiple branch channels converging on it, when the printer receives a replacement instruction, the first consumable to be replaced can be transferred to the first branch channel in advance. When the printer detects that the second consumable being printed has returned to the second branch channel (i.e., there is no second consumable in the main conveyor channel), the first consumable is directly transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveyor channel. This method allows the first consumable to be transferred to the first branch channel in advance without waiting for the second consumable to completely return to the second consumable storage device, thereby greatly shortening the transfer time of the first consumable and improving the printer's replacement efficiency.

[0008] In some embodiments, the 3D printing system further includes a second filament storage device, and the printer further includes a second material guide assembly and a second nozzle assembly; the 3D printing method further includes: controlling a third filament to be transferred from the second filament storage device to a third branch channel of the second material guide device based on the filament printing sequence; controlling the first nozzle assembly to stop printing in response to a second material change command; and controlling the third filament to be transferred from the third branch channel to a second main transport channel of the second material guide assembly, so that the second nozzle assembly can use the third filament for printing.

[0009] In some embodiments, while controlling the first printhead assembly to print using the first consumable, the second consumable is controlled to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel based on the printing order of the consumable.

[0010] In some embodiments, the consumable storage device includes N devices, each of the branch channels being connected to one consumable storage device, where N is an integer greater than 1; before the next second consumable required for controlling the first nozzle assembly is transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feed device, the method further includes: determining M pre-selected consumable storage devices including the second consumable from the N consumable storage devices, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N; detecting the remaining amount of the second consumable in each pre-selected consumable storage device, and selecting the pre-selected consumable storage device with the largest remaining amount of the second consumable as the first consumable storage device.

[0011] In some embodiments, determining M pre-selected consumable storage devices, including the second consumable, from the N consumable storage devices includes: performing preset signal detection on each of the consumable storage devices; selecting the consumable storage device that detects the preset signal as the pre-selected consumable storage device; and detecting the remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices includes: performing signal processing on the preset signal detected in each of the pre-selected refills; and obtaining the remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices based on the result of the signal processing.

[0012] In some embodiments, the 3D printing system further includes a confluence assembly comprising an outlet and P feed inlets, the outlet being connected to the first branch channel, and each feed inlet being connected to a consumable storage device; prior to the transfer of the next second consumable required for controlling the first nozzle assembly from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first material guide device, the system further includes: performing consumable detection on the P consumable storage devices connected to the P feed inlets; and selecting, based on the result of the consumable detection, the first consumable storage device including the second consumable from the P consumable storage devices.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first main conveying channel includes a cutting position near the nozzle assembly, and the second branch channel includes a return position near the main conveying channel; controlling the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first guiding device includes: controlling the first nozzle assembly to transfer the first consumable from the first nozzle assembly to the cutting position, and cutting the first consumable into a first part and a second part; controlling the first part to transfer to the return position, and discarding the second part.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first branch channel includes a material waiting position near the first main conveying channel; the control of the transfer of the next second consumable required for the first nozzle assembly from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first material guide device includes: controlling the transfer of the second consumable from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel; and stopping the transfer of the second consumable when the second consumable is detected at the material waiting position.

[0015] Secondly, this application proposes a 3D printing system, comprising a printer and at least one consumable storage device, the printer comprising at least one material guide device and at least one nozzle assembly; the 3D printing system further comprises: an acquisition module for acquiring printing information, the printing information including a consumable printing sequence; a control module for controlling a first nozzle assembly to print using a first consumable based on the consumable printing sequence; the control module is further configured to control the next second consumable required by the first nozzle assembly to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to a first branch channel of the first material guide device based on the consumable printing sequence; the control module is further configured to control the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to a second branch channel of the first material guide device in response to a first material change command; the control module is further configured to control the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to a first main conveying channel of the first material guide device after detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, so that the first nozzle assembly can print using the second consumable.

[0016] Thirdly, this application proposes an electronic device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the 3D printing method described above.

[0017] Fourthly, this application proposes a storage medium storing program code that can be called by a processor to execute the above-described 3D printing method.

[0018] Understandably, the 3D printing system of the second aspect, the electronic device of the third aspect, and the storage medium of the fourth aspect provided above all correspond to the method of the first aspect. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a 3D printing method provided by one or more embodiments of this application.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing system provided in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a 3D printing method provided by one or more embodiments of this application.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a 3D printing method provided by one or more embodiments of this application.

[0024] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing system provided in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a 3D printing method provided by one or more embodiments of this application.

[0026] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing system provided in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0027] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the functional modules of a 3D printing system provided in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0028] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of an electronic device provided in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0029] Explanation of key component symbols: Detailed Implementation

[0030] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "fixation," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components; they can refer to mere surface contact; or they can refer to surface contact connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as referring to specific or particular structures. The terms "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this application, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this application, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0033] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a flowchart of a 3D printing method provided in at least one embodiment of this application. This embodiment is applied to a 3D printing system 400 in subsequent embodiments. The 3D printing system 400 includes at least one consumable storage device and a printer. The printer includes a material guide device and a nozzle assembly. The material guide device is configured to transfer consumables from the consumable storage device to the nozzle assembly, wherein the material guide device includes a main conveying channel and at least two branch channels.

[0035] The 3D printing method in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0036] Step 101: Obtain printing information, including the printing order of consumables.

[0037] Step 102: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the first printhead assembly to use the first consumable for printing.

[0038] Step 103: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the next second consumable required by the first printhead assembly to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first consumable storage device can be a cassette or a tray. This embodiment does not specifically limit the type of the first consumable storage device. Taking a cassette as an example, a cassette can hold consumables of multiple colors. For instance, if each cassette can hold four colors of consumables, the 3D printing system can use eight colors of consumables by connecting two cassettes. The more cassettes connected, the more colors can be used.

[0040] In some embodiments, a branch channel may be connected to multiple first consumable storage devices or to one first consumable storage device. This embodiment does not specifically limit the number of first consumable storage devices connected to each branch channel.

[0041] In some embodiments, a driving device is provided in the first consumable storage device. The driving device operates to provide a driving force in the feeding direction to drive the first consumable to be fed and transmitted to the first branch channel of the first feeding device.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first branch channel includes a material waiting position near the main conveying channel; controlling the transfer of the second consumable from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel includes: controlling the transfer of the second consumable from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel; stopping the transfer of the second consumable when the second consumable is detected at the material waiting position.

[0043] Step 104: In response to the first material change command, control the first printhead assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guiding device. In some embodiments, the printer starts printing after receiving the print model gcode. During the printing process, when material change is required, a first material change command is sent to the consumable storage device, or the first material change command can be sent to an external device that controls the consumable storage device. The specific method can be determined according to the actual situation, and this embodiment does not impose specific limitations on it.

[0044] In some embodiments, when the first consumable storage device receives the first material replacement instruction, it controls the printhead assembly to stop printing via the controllers in the printer.

[0045] In some embodiments, after the printer controls the first printhead assembly to stop spraying the first consumable that is currently being printed, it will also move the printhead assembly to a preset wiping position in preparation for wiping the printhead assembly. The purpose of this wiping operation is to wipe the nozzle of the printhead assembly to prevent contamination caused by the mixing of consumable materials of different colors or materials. The specific preset wiping position can be determined according to the actual situation, and this embodiment does not make a specific limitation on it.

[0046] Step 105: After detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, control the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guiding device so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

[0047] In some embodiments, the conveying channel includes a cutting position near the nozzle assembly, and the second branch channel includes a return position near the main conveying channel; the first consumable autonomous conveying channel is controlled to return to the second branch channel in the following manner: the first consumable is controlled to be transferred from the nozzle assembly to the cutting position and cut into a first part and a second part; the first part is controlled to be transferred to the return position and the second part is discarded.

[0048] In some embodiments, when the first consumable is detected at the cutting position, it is cut into a first part and a second part. Specifically, in actual implementation, the nozzle assembly retracts the first consumable material from the nozzle assembly and transports it along the main transport channel. After the first consumable material reaches the cutting position, it is detected by a sensor installed at the cutting position, thereby cutting the first consumable material into two segments. The first part of the first consumable material continues to be retracted to the return position along the main transport channel, while the second part is discarded along the waste path. In this embodiment, an additional waste path is also connected at the cutting position, specifically for discarding waste.

[0049] To facilitate understanding, the material changing principle of the 3D printing method in this embodiment will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 2:

[0050] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printing system provided in this embodiment of the application. The 3D printing system 100 shown in Figure 2 includes two first consumable storage devices, and each first consumable storage device is connected to a different branch channel. In practical applications, the number of first consumable storage devices is not specifically limited and can be set according to actual needs; nor is the number of first consumable storage devices connected to each branch channel specifically limited. For example, one branch channel can connect two first consumable storage devices, three consumable storage devices, etc., and can be set according to actual needs.

[0051] Specifically, the 3D printing system 100 includes a first consumable storage device 1, a first consumable storage device 2, and a printer 3. The printer 3 includes a material guiding device 31 and a nozzle assembly 32. The material guiding device 31 includes a main conveying channel 311 and a first branch channel 312 and a second branch channel 313 that converge at the main conveying channel. The main conveying channel 311 is connected to the nozzle assembly 32, the first branch channel 312 is connected to the first consumable storage device 1, and the second branch channel 313 is connected to the second consumable storage device 2.

[0052] More specifically, the first consumable storage device 1 shown in Figure 2 is a material box, and the second consumable storage device 2 is a material tray. The first consumable storage device 1 includes a loading / unloading device 11, which can be installed inside the first consumable storage device 1, outside the first consumable storage device 1, or separately from the first consumable storage device 1. The specific installation method can be determined according to the actual situation. In this embodiment, the loading / unloading device 11 is installed at the front end of the first consumable storage device 1 as an example. Different consumable materials in the first consumable storage device 1 enter the loading / unloading device 11 through different paths, and the output pipe of the loading / unloading device 11 is connected to the first branch channel 312.

[0053] The first consumable storage device 1 is used to store consumables. The first consumable storage device 1 shown in Figure 2 includes two material trays 12, each of which can hold different consumables. Each type of consumable is connected to the loading / unloading device 11 through a different channel. For example, the second consumable is connected to the loading / unloading device 11 through the first pipe 13, and the first consumable is connected to the loading / unloading device 11 through the second pipe 14. The loading / unloading device 11 is equipped with a drive device. When feeding is required, the drive device provides a driving force in the feeding direction, thereby driving the corresponding consumable to feed. When unloading is required, the drive device provides a driving force in the unloading direction, thereby driving the corresponding consumable to unload. Taking the second consumable as an example, when the second consumable needs to be transported along the feeding path, the second consumable is extruded along the first pipe 13 onto the first branch channel 312, so that the second consumable is transported along the feeding path; the end of the first branch channel 312 is connected to the main conveying channel 311, and the second consumable is transported to the printhead assembly 32 after passing through the main conveying channel 311, and the printhead assembly 32 extrudes the second consumable for product printing.

[0054] The first consumable is a wound material in the form of fine filaments. The first consumable is wound on the first consumable storage device 2. The first consumable storage device 2 can be circular or other shapes, which can be determined according to the actual situation. This embodiment does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0055] The working principle of the 3D printing system 100 is explained in detail below: After receiving the gcode of the printing model, the printer 3 starts printing. Assuming that the first consumable is being used for printing at this time, when a material change is required during the printing process, assuming that the first consumable needs to be replaced with the second consumable, the printer 3 sends a first material change command to the first consumable storage device 1 and the first consumable storage device 2. When the first consumable storage device 1 receives the first material change command, the drive device inside the loading / unloading device 11 provides the driving force in the feeding direction, extruding the second consumable along the first pipe 13 onto the first branch channel 312. The first branch channel 312 includes a material waiting position near the main conveying channel 311. A first sensor set at the material waiting position detects whether the second consumable is detected in real time. When the first sensor detects the second consumable, it sends a pause signal to the loading / unloading device 11. After receiving the pause signal, the loading / unloading device 11 controls the drive device to stop providing the driving force in the feeding direction to the second consumable, so that the second consumable stops at the material waiting position.

[0056] When the first consumable storage device 2 receives a replacement command, it retracts the first consumable from the nozzle assembly 32. After the first consumable is transferred to the cutting position, it is detected by the second sensor installed at the cutting position, thereby cutting the first consumable into two parts. The first part of the first consumable is returned to the return position, and the second part is discarded along the waste path.

[0057] When the third sensor located at the unloading position detects that the first consumable in the first part has returned to the unloading position, it sends a start signal to the feeder 11. After receiving the start signal, the feeder 11 continues to provide driving force in the feeding direction, so that the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel 312 to the main conveying channel 311, so that the nozzle assembly 32 sprays the second consumable.

[0058] It should be noted that the first consumable storage device 1 shown in Figure 2 includes two material tanks 12. In practical applications, the first consumable storage device 1 may also include other numbers of material tanks 12. This embodiment does not specifically limit the number of material tanks 12.

[0059] Compared with related technologies, the embodiments of this application have at least the following advantages: initially, the printhead assembly of the printer extrudes the second consumable for printing. When the printer needs to switch to the second consumable for printing, it sends a material change command. In response to the first material change command, the printer selects the first consumable storage device containing the second consumable and controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel. At the same time, the printer controls the printhead assembly to stop ejecting the first consumable that is currently being printed and controls the first consumable to be transferred from the printhead assembly through the main conveying channel to the second branch channel. At this time, the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveying channel so that the printhead assembly ejects the second consumable. By setting up a main conveyor channel and multiple branch channels converging on it, when the printer receives a replacement instruction, the second consumable to be replaced can be transferred to the first branch channel in advance. When the printer detects that the first consumable being printed has returned to the second branch channel, that is, when there is no first consumable in the main conveyor channel, the second consumable is directly transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveyor channel. This method allows the second consumable to be transferred to the first branch channel in advance without waiting for the first consumable to completely return to the first consumable storage device, thereby greatly shortening the transfer time of the second consumable and improving the printer's replacement efficiency.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart of the 3D printing method provided in an embodiment of this application. This embodiment is a further improvement on the foregoing embodiment, the main improvement being: the method of determining the first consumable storage device from N consumable storage devices when each branch channel is connected to a consumable storage device.

[0061] The specific process of this embodiment is shown in Figure 3, including the following steps:

[0062] Step 201: Obtain printing information, including the printing order of consumables.

[0063] Step 202: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the first printhead assembly to use the first consumable for printing.

[0064] Step 203: Based on the consumable printing order, determine M pre-selected consumable storage devices, including the second consumable, from N consumable storage devices, where N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0065] In some embodiments, a preset signal is detected for each consumable storage device; the consumable storage device that detects the preset signal is selected as a pre-selected consumable storage device.

[0066] Specifically, each consumable storage device is tested to observe whether a preset signal can be detected within it. The following explanation uses the testing of one consumable storage device as an example; the testing process is the same for each device.

[0067] Since printing consumables come from multiple manufacturers, and the materials and models of consumables from different manufacturers may differ, in order to determine whether the consumables in the consumable storage device meet the printing requirements of the target printer, it is necessary to detect a preset signal to see if the preset signal can be detected on the consumables. The method for detecting the preset signal can be determined according to the actual situation, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0068] In this embodiment of the application, a preset signal detection is performed on each consumable storage device, which can be regarded as detecting each consumable in the consumable storage device to see if a preset signal can be detected on the consumable.

[0069] For example, in this embodiment of the invention, a related signal transmitting component can be set on the consumable for transmitting a preset signal. The signal transmitting component can be any component that can transmit electrical signals, such as a Bluetooth sensor, an NFC sensor, an RFID sensor, etc. The specific component can be determined according to the actual situation, and this application embodiment does not make any specific limitation.

[0070] For example, the preset signal includes an RFID signal or an NFC signal. When the signal transmitting component is an RFID sensor, the preset signal is an RFID signal; when the signal transmitting component can be an NFC sensor, the preset signal is an NFC signal.

[0071] It should be noted that the preset signal contains relevant information about the consumable, such as the color of the consumable. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the consumable storage device contains the first consumable by whether the preset signal is detected.

[0072] Step 204: Detect the remaining amount of the first consumable in each pre-selected consumable storage device, and select the pre-selected consumable storage device with the largest remaining amount of the first consumable as the first consumable storage device.

[0073] In some embodiments, the preset signals detected in each pre-selected material replacement are processed; based on the results of the signal processing, the remaining amount of the first consumable in each pre-selected consumable storage device is obtained.

[0074] Specifically, the preset signal contains the remaining amount of the first consumable. By reading the preset signal, the remaining amount of the first consumable in each pre-selected consumable storage device can be determined.

[0075] Step 205: Control the transfer of the next second consumable required for the first nozzle assembly from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device.

[0076] Step 206: In response to the first material change command, control the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guide device.

[0077] Step 207: After detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, control the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guiding device so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

[0078] Compared with related technologies, the embodiments of this application have at least the following advantages: initially, the printhead assembly of the printer extrudes the second consumable for printing. When the printer needs to switch to the second consumable for printing, it sends a material change command. In response to the first material change command, the printer selects the first consumable storage device containing the second consumable and controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel. At the same time, the printer controls the printhead assembly to stop ejecting the first consumable that is currently being printed and controls the first consumable to be transferred from the printhead assembly through the main conveying channel to the second branch channel. At this time, the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveying channel so that the printhead assembly ejects the second consumable. By setting up a main conveyor channel and multiple branch channels converging on it, when the printer receives a replacement instruction, the second consumable to be replaced can be transferred to the first branch channel in advance. When the printer detects that the first consumable being printed has returned to the second branch channel, that is, when there is no first consumable in the main conveyor channel, the second consumable is directly transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveyor channel. This method allows the second consumable to be transferred to the first branch channel in advance without waiting for the first consumable to completely return to the first consumable storage device, thereby greatly shortening the transfer time of the second consumable and improving the printer's replacement efficiency.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart of the 3D printing method provided in this embodiment. This embodiment is a further improvement of the foregoing embodiment. The main improvement is that when the 3D printing system further includes a busbar assembly, which includes an outlet and P inlets, the outlet is connected to a first branch channel, and each inlet is connected to a consumable storage device, the method for determining the first consumable storage device from N consumable storage devices is described.

[0080] The specific process of this embodiment is shown in Figure 4, including the following steps:

[0081] Step 301: Obtain printing information, including the printing order of consumables.

[0082] Step 302: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the first printhead assembly to use the first consumable for printing.

[0083] Step 303: Based on the consumable printing sequence, perform consumable detection on the P consumable storage devices connected to the P feed ports.

[0084] Step 304: Based on the results of consumable testing, select the first consumable storage device, which includes the second consumable, from the P consumable storage devices.

[0085] In some embodiments, a preset signal is detected in P consumable storage devices; the consumable storage device that detects the preset signal is designated as the first consumable storage device.

[0086] The method for performing preset signal detection has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.

[0087] Step 305: Control the transfer of the next second consumable required for the first nozzle assembly from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device.

[0088] Step 306: In response to the first material change command, control the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guide device.

[0089] Step 307: After detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, control the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guiding device so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

[0090] To facilitate understanding, the material changing principle of the 3D printing method in this embodiment will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 5:

[0091] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printing system provided in this embodiment of the application. The 3D printing system 200 shown in Figure 5 includes a first consumable storage device 4, a second consumable storage device 5, a third consumable storage device 6, a printer 7, and a confluence assembly 8. The printer 7 includes a material guide device 71 and a nozzle assembly 72. The material guide device 71 includes a main conveying channel 711 and a first branch channel 712 and a second branch channel 713 converging at the main conveying channel. The main conveying channel 711 is connected to the nozzle assembly 72. The confluence assembly 8 shown in Figure 5 includes an outlet 81, a first inlet 82, and a second inlet 83. The first branch channel 712 is connected to the outlet 81, and the second branch channel 713 is connected to the third consumable storage device 6.

[0092] In some embodiments, the number of feed inlets is not specifically limited and can be set according to actual needs.

[0093] More specifically, the first consumable storage device 4 and the second consumable storage device 5 shown in Figure 5 are both material boxes, and the third consumable storage device 6 is a material tray. The structures of the first consumable storage device 4 and the second consumable storage device 5 can be the same or different. Taking the first consumable storage device 4 and the second consumable storage device 5 having the same structure as an example, the first consumable storage device 4 includes a loading / unloading device 41. The loading / unloading device 41 can be installed inside the first consumable storage device 4, or it can be installed outside the first consumable storage device 4, or it can be set separately from the first consumable storage device 4. The specific configuration can be determined according to the actual situation. In this embodiment, the loading / unloading device 41 is installed at the front end of the first consumable storage device 4 for illustration. Different consumable raw materials in the first consumable storage device 1 enter the loading / unloading device 41 through different paths. The output pipe of the loading / unloading device 41 is connected to the first feed port 82, and the second consumable storage device 5 is connected to the second feed port 83.

[0094] The first consumable storage device 1 is used to store consumables. The first consumable storage device 4 shown in Figure 5 includes two material trays 42. Each material tray 42 can hold different consumables. Each type of consumable is connected to the loading / unloading device 41 through a different channel. For example, the second consumable is connected to the loading / unloading device 41 through the first pipe 43, and the first consumable is connected to the loading / unloading device 41 through the second pipe 44. The loading / unloading device 41 is equipped with a drive device. When feeding is required, the drive device provides a driving force in the feeding direction, thereby driving the corresponding consumable to feed. When unloading is required, the drive device provides a driving force in the unloading direction, thereby driving the corresponding consumable to unload. Taking the second consumable as an example, when the second consumable needs to be transported according to the feeding path, the second consumable is extruded along the first pipe 43 onto the first feed port 82, so that the second consumable enters the first branch channel 712 from the discharge port 81; the end of the first branch channel 712 is connected to the main conveying channel 711, and the first consumable is transported to the printhead assembly 72 after passing through the main conveying channel 711, and the printhead assembly 72 extrudes the second consumable for product printing.

[0095] The first consumable is a wound material in the form of fine filaments. The first consumable is wound on the third consumable storage device 6. The third consumable storage device 6 can be circular or other shapes, which can be determined according to the actual situation. This embodiment does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0096] The working principle of the 3D printing system 200 is explained in detail below: After receiving the gcode of the printing model, the printer 7 starts printing. Assuming that the first consumable is being used for printing at this time, when it is necessary to change the material during the printing process, if it is necessary to change the first consumable to the second consumable, the printer 7 sends the first material change command to the first consumable storage device 4, the second consumable storage device 5 and the third consumable storage device 6. When the first consumable storage device 4 and the second consumable storage device 5 receive the first material replacement command, the first consumable storage device 4 and the second consumable storage device 5 perform consumable detection. The first consumable storage device 4, which contains the second consumable, is used as the first consumable storage device. The drive device inside the feeder 41 of the first consumable storage device 4 provides the driving force in the feeding direction, extruding the second consumable along the first pipe 43 onto the first feed port 82, and then transmitting it to the first branch channel 712 through the discharge port 81. The first branch channel 712 includes a material waiting position near the main conveying channel 711. A first sensor set at the material waiting position detects in real time whether the second consumable is detected. When the first sensor detects the second consumable, it sends a pause signal to the feeder 41. After receiving the pause signal, the feeder 41 controls the drive device to stop providing the driving force in the feeding direction to the second consumable, so that the second consumable stops at the material waiting position.

[0097] When the third consumable storage device 6 receives a replacement command, it retracts the first consumable from the nozzle assembly 72. After the first consumable is transferred to the cutting position, it is detected by the second sensor installed at the cutting position, thereby cutting the first consumable into two parts. The first part of the first consumable is returned to the return position, and the second part is discarded along the waste path.

[0098] When the third sensor located at the unloading position detects that the first consumable in the first part has returned to the unloading position, it sends a start signal to the feeder 41. After receiving the start signal, the feeder 41 continues to provide driving force in the feeding direction, so that the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel 712 to the main conveying channel 711, so that the nozzle assembly 72 sprays the second consumable.

[0099] Compared with related technologies, the embodiments of this application have at least the following advantages: initially, the printhead assembly of the printer extrudes the second consumable for printing. When the printer needs to switch to the second consumable for printing, it sends a material change command. In response to the first material change command, the printer selects the first consumable storage device containing the second consumable and controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel. At the same time, the printer controls the printhead assembly to stop ejecting the first consumable that is currently being printed and controls the first consumable to be transferred from the printhead assembly through the main conveying channel to the second branch channel. At this time, the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveying channel so that the printhead assembly ejects the second consumable. By setting up a main conveyor channel and multiple branch channels converging on it, when the printer receives a replacement instruction, the second consumable to be replaced can be transferred to the first branch channel in advance. When the printer detects that the first consumable being printed has returned to the second branch channel, that is, when there is no first consumable in the main conveyor channel, the second consumable is directly transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveyor channel. This method allows the second consumable to be transferred to the first branch channel in advance without waiting for the first consumable to completely return to the first consumable storage device, thereby greatly shortening the transfer time of the second consumable and improving the printer's replacement efficiency.

[0100] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart of the 3D printing method provided in an embodiment of this application. This embodiment is applied to the 3D printing system 400 in subsequent embodiments. The 3D printing system 400 includes at least two consumable storage devices and a printer. The printer includes at least two material guiding devices and at least two nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly corresponds to one material guiding device, and each material guiding device corresponds to at least one consumable storage device.

[0101] The 3D printing method in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0102] Step 401: Obtain printing information, including the printing order of consumables.

[0103] Step 402: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the first printhead assembly to use the first consumable for printing.

[0104] Step 403: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the next second consumable required by the first printhead assembly to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device.

[0105] Step 404: In response to the first material change command, control the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guide device.

[0106] Step 405: After detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, control the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guiding device so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

[0107] Step 406: Based on the printing sequence of consumables, control the transfer of the third consumable from the second consumable storage device to the third branch channel of the second feeding device.

[0108] Step 407: In response to the second material change command, control the first printhead assembly to stop printing.

[0109] Step 408: Control the third consumable to be transferred from the third branch channel to the second main conveying channel of the second material guide assembly, so that the second printhead assembly can use the third consumable for printing.

[0110] It is understood that multi-nozzle printing of the 3D printer in this embodiment can be achieved through steps 406 to 408 described above. Furthermore, it is worth noting that during multi-nozzle printing, the 3D printer in this embodiment can print in either the order of the first consumable material, the second consumable material, and the third consumable material, or in the order of the first consumable material, the third consumable material, and the second consumable material. Specifically, the first and second consumable materials are transferred to the first nozzle assembly via the first consumable material storage device, and the third consumable material is transferred to the second nozzle assembly via the second consumable material storage device.

[0111] To facilitate understanding, the material changing principle of the 3D printing method in this embodiment will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 7:

[0112] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printing system provided in the embodiment of this application. The 3D printing system 300 shown in Figure 7 includes a first consumable storage device 1A, a second consumable storage device 2A, and a printer 3A including a first material guiding device 31A, a second material guiding device 32A, a first nozzle assembly 33A, and a second nozzle assembly 34A. The first nozzle assembly 33A corresponds to the first material guiding device 31A, and the second nozzle assembly 34A corresponds to the second material guiding device 32A.

[0113] The first material guiding device 31A includes a main conveying channel 311A ​​and a first branch channel 312A and a second branch channel 313A converging at the main conveying channel 311A. The main conveying channel 311A ​​is connected to the first nozzle assembly 33A, and both the first branch channel 312A and the second branch channel 313A are connected to the first consumable storage device 1A. The second material guiding device 32A includes a second conveying channel 321A, which is connected to the second nozzle assembly 34A.

[0114] More specifically, the first consumable storage device 1A shown in Figure 7 is a material box, and the second consumable storage device 2A is a material rack. In practical applications, the structures of the first consumable storage device 1A and the second consumable storage device 2A can be the same or different, depending on actual needs. The first consumable storage device 1A includes a first loading / unloading device 11A and a second loading / unloading device 12A. The first loading / unloading device 11A and the second loading / unloading device 12A can be installed inside the first consumable storage device 1A, outside the first consumable storage device 1A, or separately from the first consumable storage device 1A, depending on the actual situation. In this embodiment, the first loading / unloading device 11A and the second loading / unloading device 12A are installed at the front end of the first consumable storage device 1A as an example. Different consumable raw materials in the first consumable storage device 1A enter the first loading / unloading device 11A or the second loading / unloading device 12A through different paths. The output pipe of the first loading / unloading device 11A is connected to the first branch channel 312A, and the output pipe of the second loading / unloading device 12A is connected to the second branch channel 313A.

[0115] The first consumable storage device 1A is used to place the first consumable and the second consumable. As shown in Figure 7, the first consumable storage device 1A includes two material trays 13A, each of which can hold different consumables. Each consumable is connected to the first feeder 11A and the second feeder 12A through different channels. For example, the first consumable is connected to the first feeder 11A through the first pipe 14A, and the second consumable is connected to the second feeder 12A through the second pipe 15A. The first feeder 11A and the second feeder 12A are both equipped with drive devices. When feeding is required, the drive device provides a driving force in the feeding direction, thereby driving the corresponding consumable to feed. When unloading is required, the drive device provides a driving force in the unloading direction, thereby driving the corresponding consumable to unload. Taking the second consumable as an example, when the second consumable needs to be transported according to the feeding path, the second consumable is extruded along the first pipe 14A onto the first branch channel 312A. The end of the first branch channel 312A is connected to the main conveying channel 311A. After passing through the main conveying channel 311A, the second consumable is transported to the first printhead assembly 33A. The first printhead assembly 33A extrudes the second consumable for product printing.

[0116] The third consumable is a filament-type wound material, which is wound around the second consumable storage device 2A. The second consumable storage device 2A can be circular or other shapes, which can be determined according to the actual situation. This embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0117] The working principle of the 3D printing system 300 is explained in detail below: After receiving the gcode of the printing model, the printer 3A starts printing. Assuming that the first consumable is being used for printing at this time, when the material needs to be changed during the printing process, if the first consumable needs to be replaced with the third consumable, the printer 3A sends the first material replacement command to the first consumable storage device 1A and the second consumable storage device 2A.

[0118] When the first consumable storage device 1A receives the first material replacement command, the drive device inside the first feeder 11A of the first consumable storage device 1A provides the driving force in the feeding direction, extruding the second consumable along the first pipe 14A onto the first branch channel 312A. The first branch channel 312A includes a material waiting position near the main conveying channel 311A. A first sensor set at the material waiting position detects in real time whether the second consumable is detected. When the first sensor detects the second consumable, it sends a pause signal to the first feeder 11A. After receiving the pause signal, the first feeder 11A controls the drive device to stop providing the driving force in the feeding direction to the second consumable, so that the second consumable stops at the material waiting position.

[0119] When the second consumable storage device 2A receives the first material replacement command, the second material guiding device 32A controls the third consumable to be transferred from the second consumable storage device 2A to the second conveying channel 321A.

[0120] When the first consumable storage device 1A controls the feeding of the second consumable, it simultaneously controls the first consumable to retract from the first nozzle assembly 33A. After the first consumable is transmitted to the cutting position (i.e., the first preset position) of the main conveying channel 311A, it is detected by the second sensor installed at the cutting position, thereby cutting the first consumable into two segments. The first part of the first consumable is returned to the unloading position, and the second part is discarded along the waste path.

[0121] After the second sensor detects that the first consumable has been transferred to the cutting position, the second feeding device 32A continues to control the feeding of the third consumable so that the second printhead assembly 34A extrudes the third consumable for printing.

[0122] When the third sensor located at the unloading position detects that the first consumable in the first part has returned to the unloading position, it sends a start signal to the first feeder 11A. After receiving the start signal, the internal drive device of the first feeder 11A continues to provide driving force in the feeding direction, so that the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel 312A to the main conveying channel 311.

[0123] When the second consumable storage device 2A receives the second material replacement command, it controls the third consumable to retract from the second printhead assembly 34A. After the third consumable is transferred to the cutting position (i.e. the second preset position) of the second conveying channel 321A, the first consumable storage device 1A responds to the second material replacement command and controls the first printhead assembly 33A to extrude the second consumable for printing.

[0124] Compared with related technologies, the embodiments of this application have at least the following advantages: initially, the printhead assembly of the printer extrudes the second consumable for printing. When the printer needs to switch to the second consumable for printing, it sends a material change command. In response to the first material change command, the printer selects the first consumable storage device containing the second consumable and controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel. At the same time, the printer controls the printhead assembly to stop spraying the currently printing first consumable and controls the first consumable to be transferred from the printhead assembly through the main transport channel to the second branch channel. At this time, the second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel to the main transport channel so that the printhead assembly sprays the second consumable. By setting up a main conveyor channel and multiple branch channels converging on it, when the printer receives a replacement instruction, the second consumable to be replaced can be transferred to the first branch channel in advance. When the printer detects that the first consumable being printed has returned to the second branch channel, that is, when there is no first consumable in the main conveyor channel, the second consumable is directly transferred from the first branch channel to the main conveyor channel. This method allows the second consumable to be transferred to the first branch channel in advance without waiting for the first consumable to completely return to the first consumable storage device, thereby greatly shortening the transfer time of the second consumable and improving the printer's replacement efficiency.

[0125] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a functional module diagram of the 3D printing system 400 provided in this embodiment of the application. The 3D printing system 400 includes at least one consumable storage device 20 and a printer 10. The printer 10 includes a material guiding device 101 and a first nozzle assembly 102. The material guiding device 101 includes a main conveying channel 1011 and at least two branch channels 1012. The 3D printing system 400 further includes: an acquisition module 30, used to acquire printing information, including the consumable printing sequence; a control module 40, used to control the first nozzle assembly 102 to print using the first consumable based on the consumable printing sequence; the control module 40 is also used to control the first nozzle assembly 102 to print using the first consumable based on the consumable printing sequence. The next second consumable required by the printhead assembly 102 is transferred from the first consumable storage device 20 to the first branch channel of the first feeder 101; the control module 40 is also configured to, in response to a first feed change command, control the first printhead assembly 102 to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first feeder 101; the control module 40 is also configured to, after detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, control the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main feeder channel 1011 of the first feeder 101, so that the first printhead assembly 102 can use the second consumable for printing.

[0126] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the electronic device 1000 provided in this embodiment of the application. As shown in Figure 9, the electronic device 1000 may include a processor 1001 and a memory 1002. The memory 1002 is used to store one or more computer programs 1003. The one or more computer programs 1003 are configured to be executed by the processor 1001. The one or more computer programs 1003 include instructions that can be used to implement the 3D printing method described above in the electronic device 1000.

[0127] It is understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the electronic device 1000. In other embodiments, the electronic device 1000 may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements.

[0128] Processor 1001 may include one or more processing units, such as application processors (APs), modems, graphics processing units (GPUs), image signal processors (ISPs), controllers, video codecs, digital signal processors (DSPs), baseband processors, and / or neural network processing units (NPUs). These different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0129] The processor 1001 may also include a memory for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the processor 1001 is a cache memory. This memory can store instructions or data that the processor 1001 has just used or that are used repeatedly. If the processor 1001 needs to use the instruction or data again, it can retrieve it directly from this memory. This avoids repeated accesses, reduces the waiting time of the processor 1001, and thus improves the efficiency of the system.

[0130] In some embodiments, the processor 1001 may include one or more interfaces. Interfaces may include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a SIM interface, and / or a USB interface, etc.

[0131] In some embodiments, the processor 1001 is used to execute acceleration schemes such as Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) and Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW).

[0132] In some embodiments, memory 1002 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as hard disk, memory, plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0133] This embodiment also provides a storage medium storing computer instructions. When the instructions are executed on an electronic device, the electronic device performs the aforementioned method steps to implement the 3D printing method in the above embodiment.

[0134] In this embodiment, the electronic device and storage medium are used to execute the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0135] In practical applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0136] In the several embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are illustrative. For instance, the division of modules or units is a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0137] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separate. The component shown as a unit can be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different places. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the solution in this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0138] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0139] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially or in other words, the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0140] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A 3D printing method, characterized in that, The invention is applied to a 3D printing system, the 3D printing system including a printer and at least one consumable storage device, the printer including at least one material feeding device and at least one nozzle assembly; The 3D printing method includes: Obtain printing information, including the printing sequence of consumables; Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the first printhead assembly is controlled to print using the first consumable; Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the next second consumable required by the first printhead assembly is controlled to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device; In response to the first material replacement command, the first nozzle assembly is controlled to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guiding device; Furthermore, after detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, the system controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guide device, so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

2. The 3D printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printing system further includes a second consumable storage device, and the printer further includes a second material feeding assembly and a second nozzle assembly; the 3D printing method further includes: Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the third consumable is controlled to be transferred from the second consumable storage device to the third branch channel of the second feeding device; In response to the second material change command, the first printhead assembly is controlled to stop printing; Furthermore, the third consumable is controlled to be transferred from the third branch channel to the second main conveying channel of the second material guide assembly, so that the second printhead assembly can use the third consumable for printing.

3. The 3D printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, While controlling the first printhead assembly to print using the first consumable, the second consumable is controlled to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel based on the printing sequence of the consumable.

4. The 3D printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The consumable storage device comprises N, and each of the branch channels is connected to one consumable storage device, where N is an integer greater than 1; Before the next second consumable required for controlling the first nozzle assembly is transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feed device, the method further includes: From the N consumable storage devices, M pre-selected consumable storage devices including the second consumable are determined, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N; The remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices is detected, and the pre-selected consumable storage device with the largest remaining amount of the second consumable is selected as the first consumable storage device.

5. The 3D printing method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The step of determining M pre-selected consumable storage devices, including the second consumable, from N consumable storage devices includes: Preset signal detection is performed on each of the aforementioned consumable storage devices; The consumable storage device that detects the preset signal is selected as the pre-selected consumable storage device; The step of detecting the remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices includes: Each preset signal detected in the pre-selected material change is processed. Based on the result of the signal processing, the remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices is obtained.

6. The 3D printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The 3D printing system also includes a confluence component, which includes an outlet and P inlets. The outlet is connected to the first branch channel, and each inlet is connected to a consumable storage device. Before the next second consumable required for controlling the first nozzle assembly is transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feed device, the method further includes: Perform consumable testing on the P consumable storage devices connected to the P feed inlets; Based on the results of the consumable testing, the first consumable storage device, which includes the second consumable, is selected from the P consumable storage devices.

7. The 3D printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first main conveying channel includes a cutting position near the nozzle assembly, and the second branch channel includes a discharge position near the main conveying channel; The control of the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guiding device includes: The first nozzle assembly is controlled to transfer the first consumable from the first nozzle assembly to the cutting position, and the first consumable is cut into a first part and a second part. The first part is controlled to be transferred to the unloading position, and the second part is discarded.

8. The 3D printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first branch channel includes a material waiting position near the first main conveying channel; The transfer of the next second consumable required to control the first nozzle assembly from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device includes: Control the transfer of the second consumable from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel; When the second consumable is detected at the material feeding waiting position, the transmission of the second consumable is stopped.

9. A 3D printing system, characterized in that, The 3D printing system includes a printer and at least one consumable storage device, wherein the printer includes at least one material feeding device and at least one nozzle assembly; The 3D printing system also includes: The acquisition module is used to acquire printing information, including the printing order of consumables; The control module is used to control the first printhead assembly to print using the first consumable based on the printing sequence of the consumable; The control module is also used to control the next second consumable required by the first printhead assembly to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first material guiding device based on the consumable printing sequence. The control module is also configured to respond to the first material change command by controlling the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guiding device. The control module is also used to control the return of the first consumable to the second branch channel after detecting that the first consumable has been returned. The second consumable is transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guide device so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

10. The 3D printing system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The 3D printing system further includes a second consumable storage device, and the printer further includes a second material feeding assembly and a second nozzle assembly; the control module also performs: Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the third consumable is controlled to be transferred from the second consumable storage device to the third branch channel of the second feeding device; In response to the second material change command, the first printhead assembly is controlled to stop printing; Furthermore, the third consumable is controlled to be transferred from the third branch channel to the second main conveying channel of the second material guide assembly, so that the second printhead assembly can use the third consumable for printing.

11. The 3D printing system as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, While the control module controls the first printhead assembly to print using the first consumable, the control module also controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel based on the printing order of the consumable.

12. The 3D printing system as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The consumable storage device comprises N, and each of the branch channels is connected to one consumable storage device, where N is an integer greater than 1; Before executing the transfer of the next second consumable required for controlling the first nozzle assembly from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feed device, the control module also performs the following: From the N consumable storage devices, M pre-selected consumable storage devices including the second consumable are determined, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N; The remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices is detected, and the pre-selected consumable storage device with the largest remaining amount of the second consumable is selected as the first consumable storage device.

13. The 3D printing system as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The step of the control module in performing the step of determining M pre-selected consumable storage devices, including the second consumable, from N consumable storage devices includes: performing preset signal detection on each of the consumable storage devices; The consumable storage device that detects the preset signal is selected as the pre-selected consumable storage device; The step of detecting the remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices includes: Each preset signal detected in the pre-selected material change is processed. Based on the result of the signal processing, the remaining amount of the second consumable in each of the pre-selected consumable storage devices is obtained.

14. The 3D printing system as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The 3D printing system further includes a manifold assembly, which includes an outlet and P inlets. The outlet is connected to the first branch channel, and each inlet is connected to a filament storage device. Before the control module executes the control of transferring the next second filament required for the first nozzle assembly from the first filament storage device to the first branch channel of the first material guide device, the control module also performs the following: Perform consumable testing on the P consumable storage devices connected to the P feed inlets; Based on the results of the consumable testing, select from the P consumable storage devices including the second consumable... The first consumable storage device of the material.

15. The 3D printing system as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first main conveying channel includes a cutting position near the nozzle assembly, and the second branch channel includes a discharge position near the main conveying channel; The step of the control module executing the step of controlling the first nozzle assembly to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guiding device includes: The first nozzle assembly is controlled to transfer the first consumable from the first nozzle assembly to the cutting position, and the first consumable is cut into a first part and a second part. The first part is controlled to be transferred to the unloading position, and the second part is discarded.

16. The 3D printing system as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first branch channel includes a material waiting position near the first main conveying channel; The step of the control module performing the control of the first nozzle assembly to transfer the next second consumable from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device includes: Control the transfer of the second consumable from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel; When the second consumable is detected at the material feeding waiting position, the transmission of the second consumable is stopped.

17. An electronic device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable by the processor, characterized in that, The electronic device is applied to a 3D printing system, which includes a printer and at least one consumable storage device. The printer includes at least one material feeding device and at least one nozzle assembly. The processor performs the following: acquiring printing information, which includes the consumable printing sequence. Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the first printhead assembly is controlled to print using the first consumable; Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the next second consumable required by the first printhead assembly is controlled to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel of the first feeding device; In response to the first material replacement command, the first nozzle assembly is controlled to return the first consumable to the second branch channel of the first material guiding device; Furthermore, after detecting that the first consumable has returned to the second branch channel, the system controls the second consumable to be transferred from the first branch channel to the first main conveying channel of the first material guide device, so that the first printhead assembly can use the second consumable for printing.

18. An electronic device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The 3D printing system also includes a second consumable storage device, and the printer also includes a second material feeding assembly and a second nozzle assembly; The processor also performs: Based on the printing sequence of the consumables, the third consumable is controlled to be transferred from the second consumable storage device to the third branch channel of the second feeding device; In response to the second material change command, the first printhead assembly is controlled to stop printing; Furthermore, the third consumable is controlled to be transferred from the third branch channel to the second main conveying channel of the second material guide assembly, so that the second printhead assembly can use the third consumable for printing.

19. An electronic device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, While controlling the first printhead assembly to print using the first consumable, the second consumable is controlled to be transferred from the first consumable storage device to the first branch channel based on the printing sequence of the consumable.

20. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores program code that can be called by a processor to execute the 3D printing method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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