Three-dimensional processing for plastic bulk material by a segmented pixel drawing method using a CO2 laser

Conventional three-dimensional processing methods using a laser system can create an accurate three-dimensional shape, whose surface has monotone condition. It is difficult for conventional methods to create visual effects on a surface of a created three-dimensional structure. A Segmented Pixel Drawing (SPD) method has been developed in our laboratory to create a tone expression on a plastic bulk material using a CO, laser. In this study, it has been attempted that a three-dimensional shape with tone expression has been created by an applied SPD method toward to a side face of a cylindrical material. The applied SPD method can control a carved depth of the material by laser irradiation times in each segmented pixel. A three-dimensional processing without tone expression has been attempted as a primitive experiment in order to confirm whether carved depth can bee controlled by the SPD method, and 7-graded depth can be created to the material. Furthermore, a three-dimensional processing with tone expression has been attempted secondly, and 3-graded depth with 4-graded tone has been successfully created by the applied SPD method.