3D Shaping Path Control for Easy Support Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional shaping apparatuses face difficulties in easily removing the raft layer and support body from shaped objects, especially when using resin materials, as they do not involve a sintering step, making it challenging to detach these components without damaging the object.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus generates three-dimensional shaping data by virtually slicing an object into layers and generating shaping paths for each layer, allowing for the easy removal of the raft layer and support body without a sintering step by adjusting the contact area and conditions between layers, such as changing the direction or thickness of the shaping paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an interface layer formed of material difficult to be bonded by sintering is used to enable easy removal of raft layer and support body, then ease of removal is improved, but the method requires a sintering step which cannot be applied to resin material shaping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from sintering (thermal process) to cooling-based bonding (thermal gradient process). By controlling the cooling rate and temperature differential between the shaped body and support structure, the patent achieves easy removal without requiring sintering, making it applicable to resin materials while maintaining ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical/thermal sintering process with a physical cooling and contraction mechanism. The support structure and shaped body are bonded during the cooling phase, and removal is achieved through differential thermal contraction rather than through chemical bond breaking, making the process universally applicable to both metal and resin materials.
2Strength
If the raft layer and support body are strongly bonded to ensure structural integrity, then strength is improved, but removal becomes difficult without damaging the shaped body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic bonding system where the bond strength between the shaped body and support structure changes over time. During cooling, the bond is strong due to thermal contraction interlocking. After cooling completes, the bond naturally weakens, enabling easy removal. This temporal dynamic allows both strong structural integrity during shaping and easy removal afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary bonding action during the cooling phase before the shaped body is fully formed and cooled to room temperature. The support structure is bonded to the shaped body while both are still warm and pliable, creating a strong initial bond. After cooling, the natural contraction creates a gap that facilitates removal without damage.
3Strength
If the contact area between slice layers is increased to improve bonding, then strength is improved, but the raft layer and support body become harder to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different contact area strategies to different regions of the model. The shaped body regions have sufficient contact area for strong bonding, while the support structure regions have minimized contact area with the raft layer. This local differentiation allows strong interlayer bonding where needed while maintaining easy removal of the support structure and raft layer.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store object data indicating an object including at least a shaped body of the shaped body and a support body, the shaped body having a shape of a three-dimensional shaped object, the support body supporting the shaped body; and a generation unit configured to slice the object into a plurality of slice layers, generate a shaping path of the individual slice layers of the plurality of slice layers obtained by the slicing, and generate three-dimensional shaping data including shaping path information indicating the generated shaping path of the individual slice layers of the plurality of slice layers. When generating a shaping path of a second slice layer, the generation unit generates the shaping path of the second slice layer based on a type of a first slice layer and a type of the second slice layer.