THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING APPARATUS AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING METHOD
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional printing apparatus that receives or generates three-dimensional data representing a shape of a three-dimensional object to be formed, and generates cross-sectional image data from the three-dimensional data so as to form the three-dimensional object in accordance with the generated cross-sectional image data, the cross-sectional image data representing cross sections obtained by dividing the three-dimensional object, which is to be formed, into a plurality of layers continuous in a predetermined direction, the apparatus comprising:
- a display configured or programmed to present images;
a layer image data generator configured or programmed to add thickness information to the cross-sectional image data of each of the layers, thus generating layer image data three-dimensionally representing each of the layers;
a layer image data output configured or programmed to output the layer image data generated by the layer image data generator; and
a display controller configured or programmed to cause the display to present a first image upon formation of a predetermined layer of the three-dimensional object in accordance with the cross-sectional image data of the predetermined layer, the first image being based on the layer image data of the predetermined layer output from the layer image data output.
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Abstract
A three-dimensional printing apparatus receives or generates three-dimensional data representing a shape of a three-dimensional object to be formed, and generates cross-sectional image data from the three-dimensional data to form the three-dimensional object in accordance with the generated cross-sectional image data. The apparatus includes a display that presents images, a generator that adds thickness information to the cross-sectional image data of each layer of the object, thus generating layer image data three-dimensionally representing each layer of the object, an output interface that outputs the generated layer image data, and a display controller that causes the display to present a first image upon formation of a predetermined layer of the object in accordance with the cross-sectional image data of the predetermined layer. The first image is based on the layer image data of the predetermined layer output from the output.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional printing apparatus that receives or generates three-dimensional data representing a shape of a three-dimensional object to be formed, and generates cross-sectional image data from the three-dimensional data so as to form the three-dimensional object in accordance with the generated cross-sectional image data, the cross-sectional image data representing cross sections obtained by dividing the three-dimensional object, which is to be formed, into a plurality of layers continuous in a predetermined direction, the apparatus comprising:
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a display configured or programmed to present images; a layer image data generator configured or programmed to add thickness information to the cross-sectional image data of each of the layers, thus generating layer image data three-dimensionally representing each of the layers; a layer image data output configured or programmed to output the layer image data generated by the layer image data generator; and a display controller configured or programmed to cause the display to present a first image upon formation of a predetermined layer of the three-dimensional object in accordance with the cross-sectional image data of the predetermined layer, the first image being based on the layer image data of the predetermined layer output from the layer image data output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A three-dimensional printing method for forming a three-dimensional object, the method comprising:
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(a) preparing a display configured or programmed to present images; (b) preparing or generating three-dimensional data representing a shape of a three-dimensional object to be formed; (c) generating cross-sectional image data from the three-dimensional data, the cross-sectional image data representing cross sections obtained by dividing the three-dimensional object, which is to be formed, into a plurality of layers continuous in a predetermined direction; (d) adding thickness information to the cross-sectional image data of each of the layers, thus generating layer image data three-dimensionally representing each of the layers; (e) outputting the layer image data generated in the step (d); (f) causing the display to present a first image upon formation of a predetermined layer of the three-dimensional object in accordance with the cross-sectional image data of the predetermined layer, the first image being based on the layer image data of the predetermined layer output in the step (e); and (g) forming the three-dimensional object in accordance with the generated cross-sectional image data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification