JP7768066B2 - Design system and design method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a design system and a design method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensional multifunction machine that performs a three-dimensional scan of a target object, creates modeling data for each layer from the three-dimensional scan results, performs additive manufacturing based on the modeling data, and produces a three-dimensional object with the same shape as the scanned target.

JP 2012-213970 A

A structure manufactured by additive manufacturing, i.e., a laminated structure, may have lower strength than a structure of the same shape manufactured by other methods. Therefore, when a structure manufactured by a method other than additive manufacturing is scanned and a structure of the same shape is manufactured by additive manufacturing, the strength of the manufactured structure may not meet the predetermined strength.
Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technology that can solve this problem.

This disclosure has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a design system and design method that can improve the strength of laminated structures.

A design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
a detection unit that detects a low-strength portion in the laminated structure that does not meet a predetermined strength based on structural data of the laminated structure;
a design modification unit that modifies a design of the low-strength portion based on the structural data of the low-strength portion detected by the detection unit,
It is a design system.

With this configuration, a design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can modify the design of a portion of a laminated structure that does not meet a predetermined strength so that it meets or exceeds the predetermined strength. As a result, the design system according to the present disclosure can improve the strength of the laminated structure.

A design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure may further include an inspection unit that inspects the strength of the laminated structure, and the detection unit may acquire the inspection data output by the inspection unit as the structural data and detect the low-strength portions based on the inspection data.
With this configuration, the design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately detect areas in the laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength.

In a design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the structural data may include data regarding the shape of the laminated structure and data regarding the material of the laminated structure, and the detection unit may calculate the strength of the laminated structure based on the shape of the laminated structure and the material of the laminated structure, and detect the low-strength portion based on the calculated strength.
With this configuration, the design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately detect areas in the laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength.

In a design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the design change unit may perform machine learning on various shapes and design change examples of the various shapes to generate a learning model, and change the design of the low-strength portion based on the learning model.
With this configuration, the design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately modify the design of portions of the laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength.

A design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure may further include a memory unit that stores various shapes and alternative shapes for the various shapes in correspondence with each other, and the design modification unit may identify a shape from the various shapes stored in the memory unit that is similar to the low-strength portion, and change the shape of the low-strength portion to the identified alternative shape for the similar shape.
With this configuration, the design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately modify the design of portions of the laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength.

In a design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the detection unit may detect an engaging claw structure as the low-strength portion, and the design modification unit may output a joining structure different from the engaging claw structure as the alternative structure. Furthermore, in a design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the joining structure may be a bonding structure using an adhesive.

A design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure may further include a memory unit that stores various shapes in association with reinforcement structures for the various shapes, and the design modification unit may identify a shape from the various shapes stored in the memory unit that is similar to the low-strength portion, and add a reinforcement structure of the identified similar shape to the low-strength portion.
With this configuration, the design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately modify the design of a portion of a laminated structure that does not meet a predetermined strength.

A design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure may further include a memory unit that stores various materials in association with alternative materials for the various materials, and the design modification unit may identify a material to be used in the low-strength portion from the various materials stored in the memory unit, and change the material of the low-strength portion to the alternative material for the identified material.
With this configuration, the design system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can appropriately modify the design of a portion of a laminated structure that does not meet a predetermined strength.

A design method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
detecting a portion of the laminated structure that does not meet a predetermined strength based on structural data of the laminated structure;
The computer executes an operation of changing the design of the detected portion that does not satisfy the predetermined strength based on the structural data of the portion.
It is a design method.

This disclosure provides a design system and design method that can improve the strength of laminated structures.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a design system according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the design system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the design system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a design system according to another embodiment.

(First embodiment)
<Design system configuration>
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the configuration of a design system according to this embodiment will be described in detail.
The design system according to this embodiment is realized as a design apparatus. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the design apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The design device 1 according to this embodiment detects low-strength portions in a laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength, and changes the design of the low-strength portions.
The design device 1 includes a calculation unit 11 and a storage unit 12 .

The design device 1 may be, for example, a control device provided inside a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing, or a control computer connected to a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing. The design device 1 may also be a computer that is not connected to a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing.

The storage unit 12 is a storage device realized using a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like.
The storage unit 12 may store various shapes and various alternative shapes in association with each other. However, the alternative shapes referred to here are shapes that have the same function as the associated shapes and are more suitable for manufacturing by additive manufacturing than the associated shapes.

The memory unit 12 may also store various shapes in association with reinforcing structures for the various shapes. However, a reinforcing structure for a variety of shapes is a shape that, when added to the associated shape, can improve the strength of the associated shape.

The storage unit 12 may also store various materials in association with substitute materials for the various materials, where the substitute materials for the various materials are materials that have higher strength than the associated materials.
Furthermore, the storage unit 12 may store various materials in association with values indicating the strength of each material.

The memory unit 12 stores programs for controlling the operation of the design device 1. The calculation unit 11, which will be described later, reads and executes these programs from the memory unit 12 to perform various processes, which will be described later.

Note that if the design device 1 is, for example, a control device provided inside a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing, or a control computer connected to a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing, the storage unit 12 may store software (computer program) for controlling the operation of the 3D printer. The calculation unit 11 may then read and execute the software to control the operation of the 3D printer.

Note that the program includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include RAM, ROM, flash memory, SSD or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, DVD (digital versatile disc), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may also be transmitted on a temporary computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, temporary computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

The calculation unit 11 reads and executes software (computer programs) from the storage unit 12 to perform various processes described below. The calculation unit 11 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The calculation unit 11 may include multiple processors.

In addition, if the design device 1 is, for example, a control device provided inside a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing, or a control computer connected to a 3D printer that performs additive manufacturing, the calculation unit 11 may control the operation of the 3D printer.

The calculation unit 11 detects weak-strength portions in the laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength, and changes the design of the weak-strength portions.
The calculation unit 11 includes a detection unit 111 and a design modification unit 112 .

The detection unit 111 acquires structural data of the laminated structure. Then, based on the structural data of the laminated structure, the detection unit 111 detects low-strength areas in the laminated structure that do not meet a predetermined strength. The detection unit 111 outputs the structural data of the detected low-strength areas to the design modification unit 112.

Here, the structural data according to this embodiment is data that defines the shape and material of the laminated structure. In other words, the structural data according to this embodiment includes data regarding the shape of the laminated structure and data regarding the material of the laminated structure.

The structural data according to this embodiment may be, for example, digitized data of the design drawings of the structure to be manufactured. Furthermore, the structural data according to this embodiment may be design data created on a computer. Furthermore, the structural data according to this embodiment may be scan data obtained by 3D scanning a sample structure, i.e., a structure having the same shape as the structure to be manufactured.

Here, the detection unit 111 may acquire the structural data, for example, through input from a user. Alternatively, the detection unit 111 may acquire the structural data, for example, from a scanning device that 3D-scans the sample structure described above.

Furthermore, a low-strength portion refers to a portion of the laminated structure that does not meet a specified strength. Low-strength portions are likely to occur, for example, when a shape that is not suitable for additive manufacturing is used, or when the material used is low in strength.

The detection unit 111 may calculate the strength of the laminated structure based on the shape of the laminated structure and the material of the laminated structure, and detect low strength portions based on the calculated strength.
More specifically, the detection unit 111 may read the shape and material of the laminated structure defined in the structural data and calculate the strength of the laminated structure for each portion using CAE (Computed Aided Engineering) analysis, etc. Then, the detection unit 111 may detect, as a low-strength portion, a portion where the calculated strength is lower than a predetermined strength.

The design modification unit 112 modifies the design of the low-strength portion based on the structural data of the low-strength portion detected by the detection unit 111.
If the detection unit 111 does not detect any low strength portions, the design modification unit 112 does not modify the design of the laminated structure.

More specifically, the design modification unit 112 first reads the shape and material of the low-strength area detected by the detection unit 111, as defined in the structural data of that area. The design modification unit 112 then changes the shape of that area, the material of that area, or both.

The design modification unit 112 identifies a shape similar to the low-strength portion from among various shapes stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the shape of the low-strength portion may be changed to an alternative shape to the identified similar shape.
With this configuration, the design modification section 112 can modify the shape of the low-strength portion to a shape with higher strength, thereby improving the strength of the laminated structure.

For example, if the structure of the low-strength portion detected by the detection unit 111 is an engaging claw structure, the design modification unit 112 reads the engaging claw structure of the portion specified as a shape in the structural data, and identifies a shape similar to the engaging claw structure from the memory unit 12.
Then, the design modification unit 112 changes the structure of the low-strength portion to the alternative structure stored in association with the identified similar shape. For example, in this case, the design modification unit 112 changes the shape of the portion to a joining structure different from the engaging claw structure, such as a bonding structure using an adhesive.

The design modification unit 112 may identify a shape similar to the low-strength portion from among the various shapes stored in the memory unit 12, and add a reinforcing structure of the identified similar shape to the low-strength portion.
With this configuration, the design modification section 112 can add a reinforcing structure to the shape of the low strength portion to improve the strength of that shape, thereby improving the strength of the laminated structure.

For example, if the structure of the low-strength portion detected by the detection unit 111 is a plate-like structure, the design modification unit 112 reads the plate-like structure of the portion defined as a shape in the structure data, and identifies a shape similar to the plate-like structure from the memory unit 12.
Then, the design modification unit 112 adds the reinforcing structure stored in association with the identified similar shape to the plate-like structure of the portion. For example, in this case, the design modification unit 112 adds a reinforcing structure such as a rib structure to the shape of the portion.

Furthermore, the design modification unit 112 may identify a material to be used in a low-strength portion from among the various materials stored in the storage unit, and change the material of the low-strength portion to an alternative material to the identified material.
With this configuration, the design modification section 112 can change the material of the low-strength portion to a material with higher strength, thereby improving the strength of the laminated structure.
Furthermore, with this configuration, the design modification section 112 can improve the strength of the laminated structure even when the lack of strength in the low-strength portion is due solely to a problem with the material.

The design modification unit 112 may, for example, combine these design modifications, i.e., design modifications of the shape and material. In other words, the design modification unit 112 may change both the shape and material of the low-strength portion.

Furthermore, the design modification section 112 may prioritize these design modifications and execute the design modifications with higher priorities first.
For example, if the priority of the design change of the shape of the low-strength portion is higher than the priority of the design change of the material and if design changes of both the shape and the material are possible, the design modification unit 112 may execute the design change of the shape. On the other hand, if the design change of the shape is not possible but the design change of the material is possible, the design modification unit 112 may execute the design change of the material.

Furthermore, for example, if the priority of design changes to the material of a low-strength portion is higher than the priority of design changes to the shape, and design changes to both the shape and the material are possible, the design modification unit 112 may execute a design change to the material. Furthermore, if a design change to the material is not possible but a design change to the shape is possible, the design modification unit 112 may execute a design change to the shape.

When a design change is made, the design change unit 112 may be configured to display to the user an image depicting the laminate structure based on the structural data of the laminate structure after the design change. Furthermore, when a design change is made, the design change unit 112 may be configured to output the structural data of the laminate structure after the design change to a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

Furthermore, if the design device 1 is a control device for a 3D printer or a control computer for a 3D printer, the calculation unit 11 may control the 3D printer and manufacture the laminated structure based on the structural data of the laminated structure after the design change.

<Design system operation>
Next, the operation of the design system, i.e., the design method according to the first embodiment, will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the design system according to the first embodiment. In the following description, Fig. 1 will be referred to as appropriate.

First, the detection unit 111 acquires structural data of the laminated structure (step S101). Next, the detection unit 111 detects low-strength areas based on the structural data (step S102).

Next, the design modification unit 112 modifies the design of the low-strength portion based on the structural data of the low-strength portion (step S103). Finally, the design modification unit 112 outputs the structural data of the laminated structure after the design modification (step S104), and the design device 1 completes the series of operations.

In step S104, the design modification unit 112 may output the structural data of the laminated structure after the design modification to, for example, a display unit that creates an image of the laminated structure from the design structural data.
In step S104, the design modification section 112 may output the structural data of the laminated structure after the design modification to a storage medium such as a USB.
In addition, in step S104, the design modification unit 112 may output structural data of the laminated structure after the design modification to the control unit of the 3D printer.

Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the design system according to the first embodiment. More specifically, Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the design modification unit 112 in step S103 described above.

In the above-mentioned step S103, the design modification unit 112 first identifies a shape similar to the shape of the low-strength portion based on the structural data of the low-strength portion (step S201).
More specifically, the design modification unit 112 compares the shape of the low-strength portion with various shapes stored in the storage unit 12. Then, from the various shapes stored in the storage unit 12, a shape similar to the shape of the low-strength portion is identified.

Next, the design modification unit 112 identifies the material of the low strength portion based on the structural data of the low strength portion (step S202).
Next, the design modification unit 112 determines whether an alternative shape for the similar shape is stored (step S203). More specifically, the design modification unit 112 determines whether an alternative shape associated with the similar shape identified in step S201 is stored in the storage unit 12.

If a similar alternative shape is stored (step S203: YES), the design modification unit 112 changes the shape of the low-strength portion to the alternative shape (step S206) and ends the series of operations.

If no alternative shape of a similar shape is stored (step S203 NO), the design modification unit 112 determines whether a reinforcement structure of a similar shape is stored (step S204). More specifically, the design modification unit 112 determines whether a reinforcement structure associated with the similar shape identified in step S201 is stored in the memory unit 12.

If a reinforcement structure with a similar shape is stored (step S204: YES), the design modification unit 112 adds the reinforcement structure to the shape of the low-strength portion (step S207) and ends the series of operations.

If no reinforcing structure of a similar shape is stored (step S204 NO), the design modification unit 112 determines whether an alternative material is stored (step S205). More specifically, the design modification unit 112 determines whether an alternative material associated with the material identified in step S202 is stored in the memory unit 12.

If no substitute material is stored (step S205 NO), the design modification unit 112 ends the series of operations. In this case, the design device 1 may notify the user of a warning.
If an alternative material is stored (YES in step S205), the design modification unit 112 changes the material of the low strength portion to the alternative material, and ends the series of operations.

However, the execution order of steps S203 to S205 is not limited to this, and steps may be executed in a different order. In this case, the design modification unit 112 executes the next step if the determination results of the first and second steps executed are NO, and ends the series of operations if the determination result of the third step executed is NO.
The order of execution of steps S203 to S205 may be determined according to the priority of the design changes of the laminated structure corresponding to each step.

In the flowchart shown in Figure 3, one of the steps associated with steps S203 to S205 is executed, but the design modification unit 112 may also be configured to execute multiple design modifications.

As described above, the design device 1 according to this embodiment detects low-strength portions of a laminated structure based on structural data of the laminated structure, and changes the design of those portions based on the structural data of the detected low-strength portions.
With this configuration, the design device 1 according to this embodiment can improve the strength of the weak strength portion, and as a result, can improve the strength of the laminated structure.

(Other embodiments)
The design modification unit 112 according to the first embodiment may perform machine learning on various shapes and design modification examples of the various shapes to generate a learning model, and modify the design of the low-strength portion based on the learning model. With this configuration, the design modification unit 112 can also appropriately modify the design of the low-strength portion.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a design system according to another embodiment. The design system 101 shown in Figure 4 differs from the design system according to the first embodiment in that it includes an inspection unit 2 that inspects the strength of the laminated structure.

4 is based on the premise that the user owns at least one sample of a laminated structure. The inspection unit 2 is configured as an inspection device that inspects the strength of the sample of the laminated structure. The inspection unit 2 outputs the measured strength of the sample of the laminated structure to the detection unit 111.
For example, the inspection unit 2 may measure the strength of a sample of a laminated structure by applying a load of a predetermined magnitude to the sample and measuring the amount of deformation of the sample.

4, the detection unit 111 acquires the inspection data output by the inspection unit 2 as structure data or as part of the structure data, and detects low strength portions based on the inspection data.
More specifically, the detection unit 111 compares the strength of the sample of the laminated structure recorded in the inspection data with a predetermined strength, and detects a portion that does not meet the predetermined strength as a low-strength portion.
Even with this configuration, the design system according to the present disclosure can appropriately detect low strength areas in a laminated structure.

The present invention has been described above in accordance with the above-mentioned embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments, and naturally includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims of this application.

1 Design device 2 Inspection unit 11 Calculation unit 111 Detection unit 112 Design change unit 12 Storage unit 101 Design system

Claims (6)

an inspection unit that inspects the strength of the laminated structure by measuring the strength of a sample of the laminated structure;
a detection unit that acquires the inspection data output by the inspection unit and data related to the shape of the laminated structure as structural data of the laminated structure, and detects low-strength portions in the laminated structure that do not satisfy a predetermined strength based on the structural data;
a design modification unit that modifies a design of the low-strength portion based on the structural data of the low-strength portion detected by the detection unit,
Design system. the design modification unit performs machine learning on various shapes and design modification examples of the various shapes to generate a learning model, and modifies the design of the low-strength portion based on the learning model.
The design system of claim 1 . Further comprising a storage unit that stores various shapes and alternative shapes for the various shapes in association with each other,
the design modification unit identifies a shape similar to the low-strength portion from among the various shapes stored in the storage unit, and changes the shape of the low-strength portion to the identified alternative shape of the similar shape;
The design system according to claim 1 or 2. Further, a storage unit is provided that stores various shapes and reinforcement structures corresponding to the various shapes in association with each other,
the design modification unit identifies a shape similar to the low-strength portion from among the various shapes stored in the storage unit, and adds a reinforcement structure of the identified similar shape to the low-strength portion.
The design system according to claim 1 or 2. The structural data further includes data regarding the material of the laminated structure;
Further comprising a storage unit that stores various materials and substitute materials for the various materials in association with each other,
the design modification unit identifies a material to be used in the low-strength portion from among the various materials stored in the storage unit, and changes the material of the low-strength portion to an alternative material to the identified material;
The design system according to claim 1 or 2. Inspecting the strength of the laminate structure by measuring the strength of a sample of the laminate structure;
The output inspection data and data relating to the shape of the laminated structure are acquired as structural data of the laminated structure;
detecting a low-strength portion in the laminated structure that does not meet a predetermined strength based on the structural data;
The computer executes an operation of changing a design of the low-intensity region based on the structural data of the detected low-intensity region.
Design method.