Abstract: A simulation method includes setting a density of a conversion layer which is formed in a medium which has a thermal expansion layer which expands with heat and converts electromagnetic waves into heat, deriving a temperature of the conversion layer which is obtained in a case where the conversion layer which has the set density is irradiated with the electromagnetic waves, executing a simulation relating to heat conduction which takes place in a direction along a surface of the medium in the medium on the basis of a condition which is defined in accordance with the medium and correcting the derived temperature on the basis of a result of execution of the simulation, and deriving an expansion height up to which the medium expands in a case where the medium is heated at the corrected temperature.

Abstract: An expansion device includes: a thermal distension unit configured to thermally distend a thermally-expandable sheet by irradiating the thermally-expandable sheet with predetermined energy; a reading unit configured to read identifiers provided at predetermined positions of the thermally-expandable sheet; and a setting unit configured to set an amount of energy per unit area to be emitted on the thermally-expandable sheet by the thermal distension unit depending on whether (i) a second identifier as well as a first identifier has been read, or (ii) whether a predetermined part of the first identifier has been read but another part has not been read, as a result of reading the identifiers by the reading unit.

Abstract: A simulation method includes setting a density of a conversion layer which is formed in a medium which has a thermal expansion layer which expands with heat and converts electromagnetic waves into heat, deriving a temperature of the conversion layer which is obtained in a case where the conversion layer which has the set density is irradiated with the electromagnetic waves, executing a simulation relating to heat conduction which takes place in a direction along a surface of the medium in the medium on the basis of a condition which is defined in accordance with the medium and correcting the derived temperature on the basis of a result of execution of the simulation, and deriving an expansion height up to which the medium expands in a case where the medium is heated at the corrected temperature.

Abstract: An expansion device includes: a thermal distension unit configured to thermally distend a thermally-expandable sheet by irradiating the thermally-expandable sheet with predetermined energy; a reading unit configured to read identifiers provided at predetermined positions of the thermally-expandable sheet; and a setting unit configured to set an amount of energy per unit area to be emitted on the thermally-expandable sheet by the thermal distension unit depending on whether (i) a second identifier as well as a first identifier has been read, or (ii) whether a predetermined part of the first identifier has been read but another part has not been read, as a result of reading the identifiers by the reading unit.