Adding features to a screen for forming a wet end with details

Abstract

According to an example, a processor may obtain a digital model of a screen including pores, where the screen is to be implemented in forming a wet end from a slurry. The processor may obtain a digital model of a feature to be added to the screen, where the feature is to impart details to the wet end during the formation of the wet end, and the processor may merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen. The processor may also identify positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with pores in the digital model of the screen, and modify the digital model of the feature to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature such that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to adding features to a screen for forming a wet end with details. Background Art

[0002] Various types of products can be made from pulp of materials. Specifically, a pulp forming die including a body and a mesh can be immersed in the pulp of the material, and the material in the pulp can form the shapes of the body and the mesh. The body and the mesh can have the desired shape of the product to be formed. The complexity of the shape of the product to be formed depends largely on the precision with which the mesh is made. The body and the mesh can include many pores for liquid channels, where the pores in the mesh can be significantly smaller than the pores in the body. During the formation of the product, a vacuum force can be applied through the pulp forming die, which can cause the material in the pulp to be sucked onto the mesh and form a shape matching the shape of the pulp forming die. The material can be removed from the mesh and can be cured, for example, by drying, to have the desired shape. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having machine-readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: obtain a digital model of a screen to be manufactured by a three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing system, the digital model of the screen including a plurality of pores, or the digital model of the screen to be processed to add a plurality of pores to the digital model by an algorithm, wherein the screen is to be implemented in forming a wet end from a slurry of liquid and material elements; obtain a digital model of a feature to be added to a portion of the screen, wherein the feature is to impart details to the wet end during the formation of the wet end; merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen; identify positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with the pores in the digital model of the screen; and modify the digital model of the feature to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature so that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature.

[0004] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing, comprising: obtaining, by a processor, a digital model of a screen; adding, by the processor, a plurality of pores to the digital model of the screen, wherein the screen is to be implemented in forming a wet part from a slurry of a liquid and material elements; obtaining, by the processor, a digital model of a feature to be added to the screen, wherein the feature is to impart details to the wet part during the formation of the wet part; merging, by the processor, the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen; and identifying, by the processor, positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with pores in the digital model of the screen; and modifying, by the processor, the digital model of the feature to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature, so that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature.

[0005] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: obtain a digital model of a screen, the digital model including a plurality of pores or the digital model to be processed to add a plurality of pores to the digital model of the screen by an algorithm, wherein the screen is one of a forming screen to be removably mounted on a forming mold and a transfer screen to be removably mounted on a transfer mold; obtain a digital model of a feature to be added to the screen, wherein the feature is to impart details to the wet part during the formation of the wet part from a slurry of a liquid and material elements; merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen; identify positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with pores in the digital model of the screen; and modify the digital model of the feature to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature, so that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and are not limited to the following drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, in the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown on which computer-readable instructions can be stored for modifying a digital model of a feature to include a plurality of pores at a determined position in the digital model of the feature;

[0008] Figure 2shows a diagram including an example processor that can execute computer-readable instructions stored on an example computer-readable medium shown in Figure 1 to generate a modified digital model of a feature;

[0009] Figure 3A and 3B respectively depict cross-sectional side views of an example forming tool and an example transfer tool;

[0010] Figure 3C shows Figure 3A and Figure 3B cross-sectional side views of the example forming tool and the example transfer tool depicted in

[0011] Figure 3D during removal of a wet portion from the example forming tool by the example transfer tool; Figure 3B shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the example transfer tool shown in

[0012] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an example method for modifying a digital model of a feature to include a plurality of pores at a determined location in the digital model of the feature; and

[0013] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an example apparatus that can modify a digital model of a feature to include a plurality of pores at a determined location in the digital model of the feature. Detailed Description

[0014] For purposes of simplicity and illustration, the present disclosure is described primarily with reference to examples. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures are not described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

[0015] Throughout the present disclosure, the term "a" is intended to mean at least one of the particular elements. As used herein, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means at least partially based on.

[0016] A computer-readable medium, method, and apparatus for modifying a digital model of a feature that is to be incorporated into a digital model of a screen for use in generating a wet part (e.g., a molded fiber product) are disclosed herein. The digital model of the feature can be modified to include a plurality of pores at a determined location in the digital model of the feature. The feature can correspond to an embossed detail such as an embossed graphic element, an embossed logo, embossed text, a predefined embossed texture, a predefined embossed pattern, a shallow emboss, or a combination thereof. A processor can process the digital model of the screen separately from the digital model of the feature. That is, for example, the location of the pores in the digital model of the feature can be determined in the digital model of the screen before adding the digital model of the feature to the digital model of the screen. Before adding the digital model of the feature to the digital model of the screen, pores can also be added at a determined location in the digital model of the screen.

[0017] As discussed herein, the screen can be implemented in forming a wet part from a slurry of liquid and material elements. Additionally, the screen can be a forming screen or a transfer screen.

[0018] By implementing the features of the present disclosure, a processor can determine the location of pores in the digital model of the screen before adding the digital model of the feature to the digital model of the screen. Before adding the digital model of the feature to the digital model of the screen, pores can also be added at a determined location in the digital model of the screen. In one aspect, this can make the determination and placement of pores in the digital model of the screen relatively simpler and less computationally intensive because the digital model of the screen can include relatively flat surfaces while the digital model of the feature can include surfaces that are raised, curved, textured, and / or patterned, etc. That is, the processor can place the pores at the normal of the surface of the digital model of the screen, e.g., perpendicular to the location on the surface where the pores are to be placed, which can be simpler and can result in more precisely placed pores in the screen. By placing the pores perpendicular to the surface on which the pores are placed, the pores can be placed without causing, for example, some of the pores to intersect each other and pores with a noisy orientation. Intersecting pores can be undesirable because they can lead to a violation of the minimum pore distance constraint, which can result in the formation of weak points in the screen.

[0019] First refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3C 。 Figure 1A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium 100 is shown, which may have computer-readable instructions stored thereon for modifying a digital model 210 of a feature 212 to include a plurality of pores 214 at a determined location in the digital model 210 of the feature 212. Figure 2 FIG. 200 showing an example processor 202 is shown, and the processor 202 may execute computer-readable instructions stored on the example computer-readable medium 100 on a digital model 210 of a feature 212 to generate a modified digital model 222 of the feature 212. Figure 3A And Figure 3B Cross-sectional side views of an example forming tool 300 and an example transfer tool 320 are respectively depicted, and Figure 3C A cross-sectional side view of the example forming tool 300 and the example transfer tool 320 during removal of a wet portion 302 from the forming tool 300 by the transfer tool 320 is shown. It should be understood that Figure 1 the example computer-readable medium 100 depicted in Figure 2 the example processor 202 depicted in Figures 3A to 3C the example forming tool 300 and the example transfer tool 320 respectively depicted in

[0020] The computer-readable medium 100 may have computer-readable instructions 102 to 110 stored thereon that can be executed by a processor such as Figure 2 the processor 202 depicted in

[0021] The processor 202 may obtain, decode, and execute the instruction 102 to obtain a digital model 204 of a screen 206 to be manufactured by a three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing system 208. The digital model 204 of the screen 206 may include a plurality of pores 220, or the digital model 204 of the screen 206 is to be processed to add a plurality of pores 220 to the digital model 204 by an algorithm. As discussed herein, the screen 206 is to be implemented in forming a wet portion 302 from a slurry 304 of liquid and material elements. In some examples, the screen 206 may be as Figure 3AThe forming screen 308 of the forming tool 300 shown in []. In other examples, the screen 206 can be the transfer screen 324 of the transfer tool 320. The forming tool 300 and the transfer tool 320 will be described in more detail herein.

[0022] The processor 202 can obtain, decode, and execute the instruction 104 to obtain the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to be added to a portion of the screen 206. As Figure 2 shown, the feature 212 can be a structure that can be added to the surface of the screen 206, or can include a shape that can be removed from the screen 206 to impart details 330 corresponding to the feature 212 to the shape of the wet part 302 during the formation of the wet part 302. In either case, the feature 212 can be a raised graphic element, a raised logo, text, a predefined raised texture, a predefined raised pattern, a shallow relief, or a combination thereof, etc. The feature 212 can be raised as a positive relief, a negative relief, or a combination of both.

[0023] Each of the digital models 204 and 210 can be a 3D computer model of the corresponding one of the screen 206 and the feature 212, such as a computer-aided design (CAD) file or other digital representation of these components. Additionally, the processor 202 can obtain (or equivalently, access or receive, etc.) the digital models 204, 210 from a data store (not shown) or some other suitable source. In some examples, the digital models 204, 210 can be generated using a CAD program or another suitable design program.

[0024] According to an example, as discussed in more detail herein, the forming tool 300 and the transfer tool 320 can be used to manufacture the wet part 302 from a slurry 304 of liquid and material elements. In some examples, the liquid can be water or another type of suitable liquid in which the pulp material (such as paper, wood, fiber crops, or bamboo, etc.) can be mixed into the slurry 304. The material elements can be, for example, fibers of the pulp material. Thus, the wet part 302 can be formed by a molded fiber.

[0025] The processor 202 may obtain, decode, and execute the instruction 106 to merge the digital model 210 of the feature 212 with the digital model 204 of the screen 206. In some examples, the processor 202 may merge the digital model 210 of the feature 212 by adding the digital model 210 of the feature 212 onto the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206 such that the digital model 210 of the feature 212 extends above the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206, where the feature 212 is to be added to the screen 206 when the screen 206 and the feature 212 are manufactured. In other examples, the processor 202 may merge the digital model 210 of the feature 212 by adding the digital model 210 of the feature 212 below the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206 such that the digital model 210 of the feature 212 extends below the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206, where the feature 212 is to be removed from the screen 206 when the screen 206 is manufactured. Figure 2 Examples of two types of features 212 are depicted. The feature 212 may be a portion that can protrude above the nominal surface of the screen digital model 204 (e.g., a protrusion), a portion that can be below the nominal surface of the screen digital model 204 (e.g., a dent), and / or a combination thereof.

[0026] The processor 202 may obtain, decode, and execute the instruction 108 to identify positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 that coincide with the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206. That is, the processor 202 may identify the positions of the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206 and the positions where the pores 220 in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 intersect the feature 212. The intersection positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 may be equivalent to the positions that coincide with the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206.

[0027] According to an example, the pores 220 may be pre-placed in the digital model 204 of the screen 206. In other examples, the processor 202 may process the digital model 204 of the screen 206 to add a plurality of pores 220 to the digital model 204 of the screen 206 through an algorithm. For example, the processor 202 may employ a packing operation to determine the positions where the pores 220 are to be placed in the screen 206. By way of example, the processor 202 may implement a packing algorithm that can add the maximum number of pores 220 to the screen 206 while enabling the screen 324 to have a certain level of mechanical strength (e.g., to prevent weak points). In this example, the algorithm may be a sphere or ellipsoid packing algorithm or other suitable algorithms for determining the placement of the pores 220.

[0028] In an example where the screen 206 is an example of the transfer screen 324, the processor 202 may determine the locations in the transfer screen 324 at which the pores 328 of the transfer screen 324 are to be placed to allow liquid to be suctioned from the wet end 302 when the transfer screen 324 is mounted onto the transfer die 322 and a vacuum pressure is applied to the transfer die 322. The processor 202 may determine the locations of the pores 328 that can result in, for example, a substantially uniform pressure being applied across the transfer screen 324 by testing previously manufactured transfer screens 206 and transfer dies 322 and / or by modeling transfer screens 324 having various properties, etc.

[0029] In an example where the screen 206 is an example of the forming screen 308, the processor 202 may determine the locations in the forming screen 308 at which the pores 310 of the forming screen 308 are to be placed to allow liquid to be suctioned from the slurry 304 to form the wet end 302 on the forming screen 308 when the forming screen 308 is mounted onto the forming die 306 and a vacuum pressure is applied to the forming die 306. The processor 202 may determine the locations of the pores 310 that can result in, for example, a substantially uniform pressure being applied across the forming screen 308 by testing previously manufactured forming screens 308 and forming dies 306 and / or by modeling forming screens 308 having various properties, etc.

[0030] The processor 202 may obtain, decode, and execute the instruction 110 to modify the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to add pores 214 at the identified locations in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 and to extend the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206 through the digital model 210 of the feature 212. As a result, a vacuum pressure can be applied through the pores 220 in the screen 206 and the pores 214 in the feature 212. In a case where the feature 212 is used to add an indentation to the screen 206, the processor 202 may modify the digital model 210 of the feature 212 by extending the pores 214 into the feature 212.

[0031] In some examples, the processor may generate a modified screen digital model 224 that may include a modified feature digital model 222. Additionally, the processor 202 may send the modified screen digital model 224 to the 3D manufacturing system 208, where the 3D manufacturing system 208 is configured to fabricate a screen 206 having features 212 and a plurality of pores 214, 220 at a determined location. In particular, the processor 202 may send the modified screen digital model 224, which may include the modified feature digital model 222, to a controller or processor of the 3D manufacturing system 208, and the controller or processor may process or otherwise use the modified screen digital model 224 to fabricate the screen 206. In other examples, the processor 202 may be the controller or processor of the 3D manufacturing system 208.

[0032] The 3D manufacturing system 208 may be any suitable type of additive manufacturing system. Examples of suitable additive manufacturing systems may include systems that may employ a curable binder (e.g., heat or UV curable binder) jetted onto a build material, ink jetted onto a build material, selective laser sintering, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, etc. In a specific example, the 3D manufacturing system 208 may form the transfer screen 324 by binding and / or fusing build material particles together. In any of these examples, the build material particles may be any suitable type of material that may be employed in a 3D manufacturing process, such as metals, plastics, nylons, ceramics, and / or alloys, etc. Generally, a transfer screen 324 with higher functionality / performance may be a screen having a minimum pore size to block smaller sized fibers, and thus some 3D manufacturing system technologies may be more suitable than other 3D manufacturing system technologies for producing the transfer screen 324.

[0033] As discussed herein, the processor 202 can process the digital model 204 of the screen 206 separately from the digital model 210 of the feature 212. That is, for example, the location of the pores 220 can be determined in the digital model 204 of the screen 206 before adding the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to the digital model 204 of the screen 206. The pores 220 can also be added at the determined locations in the digital model 204 of the screen 206 before adding the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to the digital model 204 of the screen 206. In one aspect, this can make the determination and placement of the pores 220 relatively simpler and less computationally intensive because the digital model 204 of the screen 206 can include relatively flat surfaces while the digital model 210 of the feature 212 can include raised, curved, textured, and / or patterned surfaces, etc. That is, the processor 202 can place the pores 220 at the normal of the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206, e.g., perpendicular to the location on the surface where the pores are to be placed, which can be simpler and can result in more precisely placed pores 220 in the screen 206. By placing the pores 220 perpendicular to the surface where the pores 220 are to be placed, the pores 220 can be placed without causing some of the pores 220 to intersect each other, for example. Intersecting pores 220 can be undesirable because they may result in violating the minimum pore distance constraint.

[0034] Additionally, after adding the pores 220 to the digital model 204 of the screen 206, the processor 202 can determine the location of the pores 214 in the digital model 210 of the feature 212. In one aspect, by determining the location of the pores 214 separately from determining the location of the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206, the processor 202 can accurately determine the location of the pores 214 such that air and / or liquid can flow freely through the pores 214, 220.

[0035] In specific examples, the digital model 204 of the screen 206 can include a surface that extends substantially horizontally and a surface that extends substantially vertically. In these examples, the processor 202 can incorporate the digital model 210 of the feature 212 into the surface that extends substantially horizontally, the surface that extends substantially vertically, or both the surface that extends substantially horizontally and the surface that extends substantially vertically.

[0036] In some examples, the processor 202 can be part of the apparatus 201, which can be a computing system such as a server, laptop computer, tablet computer, or desktop computer. The processor 202 can be a semiconductor-based microprocessor, central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or other suitable hardware device. The apparatus 201 can also include a memory on which computer-readable instructions (which can also be referred to as computer-readable instructions) executable by the processor 202 can be stored. The memory can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. The memory can be, for example, random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), storage devices, and optical discs. The memory, which can also be referred to as a computer-readable storage medium, can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, where the term "non-transitory" does not cover transitory propagated signals.

[0037] Now refer to Figures 3A to 3C . Figure 3A A cross-sectional side view of the forming tool 300 is shown, where a portion of the forming tool 300 has been depicted as being placed within a volume of slurry 304. Figure 3B A cross-sectional side view of the transfer tool 320 that can remove the wet portion 302 from the forming screen 308 is shown. Figure 3C A cross-sectional side view of the forming tool 300 and the transfer tool 320 during removal of the wet portion 302 from the forming tool 300 by the transfer tool 320 is shown. The forming tool 300 and the transfer tool 320 can together form a set of pulp forming tools.

[0038] As Figure 3A shown, the forming tool 300 can include a forming die 306 and a forming screen 308, where the forming screen 308 can cover the forming die 306. As Figure 3B shown, the transfer tool 320 can include a transfer die 322 and a transfer screen 324. As discussed herein, either or both of the forming screen 308 and the transfer screen 324 can be equivalent to Figure 2 the screen 206 depicted. In some examples, the forming screen 308 and the transfer screen 324 can be manufactured by the 3D manufacturing system 208. The forming die 306 and the transfer screen 324 can also be manufactured by the 3D manufacturing system 208. However, in some examples, the transfer tool 320 can not include the transfer screen 324. The manufactured forming screen 308 and the manufactured transfer screen can be used to form the wet portion 302, such as a molded fiber product.

[0039] In some examples, the forming die 306 and / or the transfer die 322 may be removably mounted to respective support structures (not shown) such that, for example, the forming die 306 can be moved independently of the transfer die 322. Additionally, the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 may be manufactured to have a shape into which the wet section 302 can be molded when formed on the forming screen 308 in the wet end 302. Similarly, the transfer die 322 and the transfer screen 324 may be manufactured to have a shape that can engage multiple surfaces of the wet section 302 formed on the forming screen 308. The transfer screen 324 may have a shape complementary to the shape of the forming screen 308.

[0040] As shown, the forming die 306 may be formed to have a relatively greater thickness than the forming screen 308, and the transfer die 322 may be formed to have a relatively greater thickness than the transfer screen 324. In some examples, the transfer screen 324 and the forming screen 308 may have the same or similar thicknesses, and / or the transfer die 322 and the forming die 306 may have the same or similar thicknesses. The greater thicknesses of the forming die 306 and the transfer die 322 may result in the forming die 306 and the transfer die 322 having much greater rigidity than the forming screen 308 and the transfer screen 324. The forming die 306 may provide structural support for the forming screen 308, and the transfer die 322 may provide structural support for the transfer screen 324.

[0041] In some examples, different versions of the forming screen 308 may be mounted to the forming die 306 to form wet sections 302 with different details. For example, a first forming screen 308 may include a first feature 212 that can be imprinted as a first detail 330 on the wet section 302, and a second forming screen 308 may include a second feature 2!2 that can be imprinted as a second detail 330 on the wet section 302, where the first feature 212 and the second feature 212 may correspond to, for example, embossed logos, predefined embossed textures, embossed text, and / or embossed designs. In this regard, different embossed details 330 can be added to the wet section 302 by using different forming screens 308 while using the same forming die 306, which can simplify the formation of wet sections 302 with various details 330.

[0042] Similarly, different versions of the transfer screen 324 can be installed onto the transfer die 322 to imprint different details 330 onto one (or more) surfaces of the wet section 302. For example, the first transfer screen 324 can include a first feature 212 that can be imprinted onto the wet section 302 as the first detail 330, and the second forming screen 308 can include a second feature 212 that can be imprinted onto the wet section 302 as the second detail 330. The first detail 330 and the second detail 330 can also include embossed logos, predefined embossed textures, predefined embossed patterns, embossed text, and / or embossed designs, etc. In this regard, by using different transfer screens 324 while using the same transfer die 322, different details can be added to the wet section 302, which can also simplify the formation of the wet section 302 with various details 330. In some examples, the features 212 on the transfer screen 324 can be complementary versions of the features 212 on the forming screen 308, such that for example common details 330 can be formed on two opposite surfaces of the wet section 302.

[0043] The forming die 306 and / or the forming screen 308 can include an attachment mechanism (or attachment device) for attaching the forming screen 308 to the forming die 306. Similarly, the transfer die 322 and / or the transfer screen 324 can include an attachment mechanism (or attachment device) for attaching the transfer screen 324 to the transfer die 322. In either case, the mechanism can include mechanical fasteners and / or brakes, etc., such that the forming screen 308 can be removably attached to the forming die 306 and / or such that the transfer screen 324 can be removably attached to the transfer die 322. The mechanism for attaching the forming screen 308 to the forming die 306 and / or for attaching the transfer screen 324 to the transfer die 322 can be a quick-release mechanism that enables the forming screen 308 and / or the transfer screen 324 to be easily released from the respective forming die 306 and transfer die 322. This can facilitate the replacement of the forming screen 308 and / or the transfer screen 324 for maintenance purposes and / or for using screens 308, 206 with different features in the formation of the wet section 302.

[0044] Also as Figures 3A to 3C shown, each of the forming die 306, the forming screen 308, the transfer die 322, and the transfer screen 324 can include respective pores 310, 312, 326, 328 that can extend completely through the respective top and bottom surfaces of the forming die 306, the forming screen 308, the transfer die 322, and the transfer screen 324. The pores 312, 328 in the forming screen 308 and the transfer screen, respectively, can be significantly smaller than the pores 310, 326 in the forming die 306 and the transfer die, respectively. Additionally, such as pillars 340 (in Figure 3DA plurality of structural features (shown in [Fig.]) can be provided between the surfaces of the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 that are adjacent and face each other respectively, and between the transfer die 322 and the transfer screen 324, so that liquid can flow laterally between the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308, and between the transfer die 322 and the transfer screen 324. Since some of the pores 312 in the forming screen 308 may not be directly aligned with the pores 310 in the forming die 306 and some of the pores 328 in the transfer screen 324 are not directly aligned with the pores 326 in the transfer die 322, the channels 342 formed by the structural features can enable the liquid to flow through those pores 312, 328 other than those that are directly aligned with the corresponding pores 310, 326.

[0045] Although not shown, the forming tool 300 can communicate with a plenum to which a vacuum source can be connected, so that the vacuum source can apply vacuum pressure through the pores 310, 312 in the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308. When vacuum pressure is applied through the pores 310, 312, as indicated by the arrow 314, some of the liquid in the slurry 304 can be sucked out through the pores 310, 312 and can flow into the plenum. When the liquid flows through the pores 310, 312, the forming screen 308 can prevent the material elements in the slurry 304 from flowing through the pores 312. That is, the pores 312 can have a small enough size (e.g., diameter or width) that can enable the liquid to flow through the pores 312 while preventing the material elements from flowing through the pores 312. In one aspect, the diameter or width of the pores 312 can be determined based on the size of the material elements (e.g., fibers) in the slurry 304. As a specific example, the pores 312 can have a diameter of approximately 0.6 mm. However, in some cases, such as may occur in a 3D manufacturing process, the pores 312 may have an irregular shape.

[0046] After a period of time (which can be a relatively short period of time such as, for example, about a few seconds, less than about a minute, or less than about five minutes, etc.), the material elements can accumulate on the forming screen 308. Specifically, the material elements in the slurry 304 can be accumulated and compressed onto the forming screen 308 to form the wet part 302. The wet part 302 can take the shape of the forming screen 308. In addition, the thickness and density of the wet part 302 may be affected by the type and / or size of the material elements in the slurry 304, the length of the time for applying vacuum pressure while the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 are placed in a certain volume of the slurry 304, etc. That is, for example, the longer the time for applying vacuum pressure while the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 are partially immersed in the slurry 304, the thicker the wet part 302 can be formed.

[0047] After a predefined period of time (e.g., after a wet section 302 having desired characteristics has been formed on a forming screen 308), the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 can be removed from a volume of stock 304. For example, the forming die 306 can be mounted to a movable mechanism that can move away from the volume of stock 304. In some examples, the movable mechanism can rotate about the volume such that rotation of the movable mechanism can cause the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 to be removed from the volume of stock 304. In other examples, the movable mechanism can be laterally moved relative to the volume of stock 304. When the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 are removed from the volume, some of the excess stock 304 may fall off the wet section 302. However, the wet section 302 can have a relatively high concentration of liquid.

[0048] After the wet section 302 is formed on the forming screen 308 and the forming screen 308 and the wet section 302 are removed from the volume of stock 304, the transfer tool 320 can be moved such that the transfer screen 324 can contact the wet section 302 on the forming screen 308. That is, for example, the transfer die 322 can be attached to a movable mechanism (not shown) where the movable mechanism can move the transfer die 306 and the transfer screen 324 toward the forming screen 308. In some examples, the transfer tool 320 can be moved such that the transfer screen 324 contacts the wet section 302, for example, within a few seconds after the wet section 302 is removed from the volume of stock 304, while the wet section 302 is being de-watered before being on the forming screen 308. In one aspect, the transfer tool 320 can engage the wet section 302 relatively quickly after the wet section 302 is formed, which can enable the transfer tool 320 to remove the wet section 302 relatively quickly and enable the forming tool 300 to be inserted into the volume of stock 304 to form the next wet section 302.

[0049] Additionally, the transfer tool 320 can be in communication with a pressure regulating chamber to which a vacuum source can be connected such that the vacuum source can apply a vacuum pressure through pores 326, 328 while the wet section 302 is in contact with the transfer screen 324. The vacuum source can be the same or a different vacuum source to which the forming tool 300 can be in communication. While the vacuum pressure is being applied by the transfer tool 3 — 20, the vacuum pressure applied by the forming tool 300 can be terminated or reversed (e.g., applied in the opposite direction).

[0050] Figure 3CShows a state in which the transfer tool 320 can be in the process of removing the wet part 302 from the forming screen 308. Specifically, in this figure, the transfer screen 324 has been moved into contact with the wet part 302, and vacuum pressure has been applied to the wet part 302 through the transfer screen 324. Additionally, while applying vacuum pressure to the wet part 302, the transfer tool 320 can be moved away from the forming tool 300 (or the forming tool 300 can be moved away from the transfer tool 320) to pull the wet part 302 away from the forming screen 308. To further facilitate the removal of the wet part 302 from the forming screen 308, as indicated by arrow 334, air pressure can be applied through the forming tool 300. Thus, the wet part 302 can be biased towards the transfer tool 320 rather than towards the forming tool 300. While the wet part 302 is biased towards the transfer tool 320, the transfer tool 320 can be moved away from the forming tool 300, enabling the transfer tool 320 to remove the wet part 302 from the forming tool 300. In Figure 3C , the forming tool 300 and the transfer tool 320 have rotated 180° from their respective positions in Figure 3A and Figure 3B . However, it should be understood that while the forming tool 300 and the transfer tool 320 are in other orientations, the transfer die 322 can remove the wet part 302 from the forming screen 308.

[0051] As Figure 3B shown, the transfer screen 324 can include pores 328 across multiple surfaces of the transfer screen 324. In some examples, the pores 328 can be deterministically placed in the transfer screen 324 such that when vacuum pressure is applied, the pressure is applied substantially uniformly across the transfer screen 324. As a result, the pressure can be applied substantially uniformly across the surface of the wet part 302 that is in contact with the transfer screen 324. This can prevent an increased pressure from being applied at specific locations on the surface of the wet part 302, which can prevent the wet part 302 from being damaged by the pressure applied to the wet part 302 through the transfer screen 324. Additionally, this can enable the transfer tool 320 to remove the wet part 302 having a surface with a vertical or substantially vertical extension (e.g., zero slope) from the forming screen 308, since the pressure can be sufficient to overcome the frictional and other forces applied to the wet part 302 by the forming screen 324.

[0052] When the wet section 302 contacts the transfer screen 324, the wet section 302 may include some of the liquid from the slurry 304. Additionally, when a vacuum pressure is applied through the pores 326, 328, as indicated by arrow 314, some of the liquid in the wet section 302 may be drawn out through the pores 326, 328 and may flow into the pressure stabilizing chamber. When the liquid flows through the pores 326, 328, the transfer screen 324 may prevent the material elements in the wet section 302 from flowing through the pores 326. That is, the pores 326 may have a small enough size (e.g., diameter or width) that allows the liquid to flow through the pores 326 while preventing the material elements from flowing through the pores 326. In one aspect, the diameter or width of the pores 312 may be determined based on the size of the material elements (e.g., fibers) in the slurry 304. As a specific example, the pores 326 may have a diameter of about 0.6 mm or less. However, in some instances, such as may occur during a 3D manufacturing process, the pores 328 may have an irregular shape.

[0053] In one aspect, applying a vacuum pressure through the pores 326, 328 may dehydrate the wet section 302 by removing some of the liquid from the wet section 302. As a result, when the wet section 302 is subjected to drying, for example, in an oven, the amount of energy and / or time used to dry the wet section 302 may be significantly reduced.

[0054] In another aspect, applying a vacuum pressure through the pores 326, 328 may cause the material elements at the surface of the wet section 302 that contacts the transfer screen 324 to have a greater density than the material elements closer to the center of the wet section 302. As a result, due to the greater degree of symmetric shrinkage provided by the denser surface that matches the similar dense surface on the forming screen 308 side of the wet section 302, the wet section 302 may resist warping during drying of the wet section 302 (e.g., in an oven). Additionally, this surface may be relatively smoother compared to the situation where the wet section 302 is allowed to dehydrate without applying pressure on the surface of the wet section 302.

[0055] When the liquid flows through the pores 326, 328, the material elements in the wet section 302 may be prevented from flowing through the pores 328 in the transfer screen 324. That is, the pores 328 may have a small enough size (e.g., diameter or width) that allows the liquid to flow through the pores 328 while preventing the material elements from flowing through the pores 328. In one aspect, the diameter or width of the pores 328 may be determined based on the size of the material elements (e.g., fibers) in the slurry 304.

[0056] According to the example, the pores 310, 312 can be placed in the forming die 306 and the forming screen 308 respectively, and can have properties such as size and / or shape, so that the wet part 302 can be formed to have predefined characteristics. For example, the pores 310, 312 can be placed and can have certain properties, so that the wet part 302 is to be formed to have an expected thickness throughout the wet part 302. As a specific example, the pores 310, 312 can be placed and can have certain properties, so that the thickness of the wet part 302 is uniform throughout the wet part 302. As another example, the pores 310, 312 can be placed and can have certain properties, so that the wet part 302 is to be formed without regions having a thickness below a certain threshold thickness (e.g., a thickness that may form a weakness in the wet part 302).

[0057] In some examples, the position and / or properties of the pores 310, 312, 326, and / or 328 can be determined by implementing an algorithm that the processor 202 can execute. For example, the algorithm can be a packing algorithm that can increase the maximum number of the pores 310, �12, 326, and / or 328 respectively, while enabling the forming die 306, the forming screen 308, the transfer die 322, and / or the transfer screen 324 to have a certain level of mechanical strength (e.g., to prevent weaknesses). In this example, the algorithm can be a sphere or ellipsoid packing algorithm or other suitable algorithm for determining the placement of the pores 310, 312, 326, and / or 328.

[0058] As another example, the algorithm can be a packing algorithm that can place the pores 310 of similar sizes evenly across the forming die 306 and / or place the pores 312 of similar sizes evenly across the forming screen 308. In this example, the processor 202 can execute the algorithm to place an array of the pores 310 across a flattened version of the forming die 306, or place an array of the pores 312 across a flattened version of the forming screen 308. Similarly, the packing algorithm can place the pores 326 of similar sizes across the transfer die 322 and / or place the pores 328 of similar sizes across the transfer screen 324. In this example, the processor 202 can execute the algorithm to place an array of the pores 326 across a flattened version of the transfer die 322, or place an array of the pores 328 across a flattened version of the forming screen 308.

[0059] By placing the pores 310, 312, 326, and / or 328 across the flattened version, the processing resources and / or time consumed for arranging the pores 310, 312, 326, and / or 328 can be reduced compared to the processing resources and / or time consumed for implementing other types of packing algorithms, since other types of packing algorithms may be more computationally intensive than the algorithm of this example. In any aspect, after placing the pores 310, 312, 326, and / or 328, the processor 202 can cause the digital models 204, 210 to 214 of the forming die 306, the forming screen 308, the transfer die 322, and / or the transfer screen 324 to include one or more bent portions.

[0060] According to an example, the pores 328 in the transfer screen 324 can have properties such as size and / or shape such that when a vacuum pressure is applied through the pores 328, the pressure can be applied to the wet section 302 as described herein. For example, the pores 328 can be placed and can have certain properties such that the pressure is applied uniformly across multiple surfaces of the wet section 302. As other examples, the pores 328 can be placed and can have certain properties such that sufficient pressure can be applied across multiple surfaces of the wet section 302 to suck out liquid from the wet section 302 without, for example, damaging the wet section 302. In one aspect, by applying a substantially uniform pressure across multiple surfaces of the wet section 302, the transfer screen 324 can be employed to remove the wet section 302 having substantially vertical surfaces. In this regard, when removing the wet section 302 from the forming screen 308, at least one of the multiple surfaces of the transfer screen 324 can extend substantially vertically (e.g., having a substantially zero slope).

[0061] The processor 202 can determine the locations in the transfer screen 324 where the pores 328 are to be placed to allow liquid to be sucked out of the wet section 302 when the transfer screen 324 is mounted onto the transfer die 322 and a vacuum pressure is applied to the transfer die 322. The processor 202 can determine the locations of the pores 328 that can result in, for example, a uniform application across the transfer screen 324 by testing previously manufactured transfer screens 206 and transfer dies 322 and / or by modeling transfer screens 324 having various properties. Additionally, the processor 202 can employ a packing operation to determine the locations in the transfer screen 324 where the pores 328 are to be placed. By way of example, the processor 202 can implement a packing algorithm that can add the maximum number of pores 328 to the transfer screen 324 while enabling the transfer screen 324 to have a certain level of mechanical strength (e.g., to prevent weaknesses). In this example, the algorithm can be a sphere or ellipsoid packing algorithm or other suitable algorithm for determining the placement of the pores 328.

[0062] According to an example, the processor 202 can determine the location of the pores 328 based on the properties (e.g., shape and / or size) and / or location of the pores 326 in the forming die 322. In these examples, the processor 202 can obtain a digital model 210 of the transfer die 322, where the transfer die digital model 322 can include a plurality of pores 326, or a plurality of pores 326 are to be added to the transfer die digital model 210 through an algorithm. Additionally, the processor 202 can determine the placement of the plurality of pores 328 in the transfer screen 324 with respect to the predicted liquid flow characteristics that are predicted to occur through the plurality of pores 326 in the transfer die 322. That is, based on how the liquid is predicted or modeled to flow through the pores 326 in the transfer die 322, the pores 328 can be deterministically placed such that the fluid passing through the pores 328 is substantially uniform across the transfer screen 324. This can include, for example, placing some pores 328 at a higher density level at some locations of the transfer screen 324, while some locations of the transfer screen 324 may not include pores 328.

[0063] Additionally, and as Figure 3D shown, a plurality of structural features such as struts 340 can be provided between the surfaces of the transfer die 322 and the transfer screen 324 that are adjacent and facing each other, respectively, to enable the liquid to flow laterally between the transfer die 322 and the transfer screen 324. Since some of the pores 328 in the transfer screen 324 are not directly aligned with the pores 326 in the transfer die 322, the channels 342 formed by the structural features 340 can enable the liquid to flow through those pores 328 other than the pores 328 that are directly aligned with the respective pores 326 in the transfer die 322. Thus, the channels 342 can enable the pressure to be applied through a greater number of pores 328, and thus enable the liquid to flow through a greater number of pores 328. The structural features 340 can be formed on the transfer screen 324 and / or the transfer die 322.

[0064] In an example where the structural features 340 are provided between the transfer screen 324 and the transfer die 322 to form the channels 342, the processor 202 can also determine the location of the pores 328 based on the predicted flow rate of the liquid in the channels 342.

[0065] Now turning to Figure 4 , a flowchart of an example method \alpha is shown for modifying a digital model 210 of a feature 212 to include a plurality of pores 214 at a determined location in the digital model 210 of the feature 212. It should be understood that Figure 4 the method \alpha depicted can include additional operations, and some of the operations described herein can be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the method \alpha. For purposes of illustration, reference is also made to Figures 1 to 3DThe description of method 400 will be made with reference to the features depicted in Figure 2 The processor 202 depicted in Figures 2 to 3D can perform some or all of the operations included in method 400 using the elements depicted in

[0066] At block 402, the processor 202 can obtain the digital model 204 of the screen 206. At block 404, the processor 202 can add a plurality of pores 220 to the digital model 204 of the screen 206, where the screen 206 can be implemented in forming the wet end 302 from the slurry 304 of the liquid and the material elements. The processor 202 can add the pores 220 in any of the ways discussed herein.

[0067] At block 406, the processor 202 can obtain the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to be added to the screen 206, where the feature 212 is used to impart details 330 to the wet end 302 during the formation of the wet end 302. At block 408, the processor 202 can merge the digital model 210 of the feature 212 with the digital model 204 of the screen 206. Additionally, at block 410, the processor 202 can identify the positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 that coincide with the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206. At block 412, the processor 202 can modify the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to add pores 214 at the identified positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to extend the pores 220 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206 through the digital model 210 of the feature 212.

[0068] Some or all of the operations set forth in method 400 can be included as a utility, program, or subroutine in any desired computer-accessible medium. Additionally, method 400 can be embodied by a computer program, which can exist in various forms. For example, method 400 can exist as computer-readable instructions including source code, object code, executable code, or other formats. Any of the foregoing can be embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0069] Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include computer system RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and magnetic disks, optical disks, or tapes. Thus, it should be understood that any electronic device capable of performing the above functions can perform those functions listed above.

[0070] Now referring to Figure 5 , Figure 5 a block diagram of an example apparatus 500 is shown that can modify the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to include a plurality of pores 214 at determined positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212. It should be understood thatFigure 5 The example device 500 depicted in Figure 5 may include additional features, and some of the features described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the device 500. For purposes of illustration, reference is made to Figures 1 to 3D for the description of the device 500. Figures 1 to 3D The description of the device 500 is made with reference to Figures 1 to 3D .

[0071] The device 500 may be a computing system such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a smartphone. As shown, the device 500 may include a processor 202. The device 500 may also include a memory 510 on which machine-readable instructions (which may equivalently be referred to as computer-readable instructions) executable by the processor 202 may be stored. The memory 510 may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. The memory 510 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage device, and an optical disc, etc. The memory 510, which may also be referred to as a computer-readable storage medium, may be a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, where the term "non-transitory" does not cover transitory propagated signals.

[0072] As Figure 5 shown in Figure 5 , the memory 510 may store machine-readable instructions 512 to 520 executable by the processor 202 thereon. Although the instructions 512 to 520 are described herein as being stored on the memory 510 and may thus include a set of machine-readable instructions, the device 500 may include hardware logic blocks that can perform functions similar to those of the instructions 512 to 520. For example, the processor 202 may include hardware components that can execute the instructions 512 to 520. In other examples, the device 500 may include a combination of instructions and hardware logic blocks for implementing or executing functions corresponding to the instructions 512 to 520. In any of these examples, the processor 202 may implement the hardware logic blocks and / or execute the instructions 512 to 520. As discussed herein, the device 500 may also include additional instructions and / or hardware logic blocks that enable the processor 202 to perform operations other than or instead of the operations discussed above with respect to Figure 5 those discussed above with respect to Figure 5 those discussed above.

[0073] The processor 202 may execute the instruction 512 to obtain a digital model 204 of the sieve 206, the digital model 204 including a digital model of a plurality of pores 220 or the digital model 204 may be processed to add a plurality of pores 220 to the digital model 204 of the sieve 206 through an algorithm. The sieve 206 may be one of a forming sieve 308 removably mounted on a forming die 306 or a transfer sieve 324 removably mounted on a transfer die 322.

[0074] The processor 202 may execute instruction 514 to obtain a digital model 210 of a feature 212 to be added to the screen 206, where the feature 212 is configured to impart details 330 to the wet end 302 during the formation of the wet end 302 from a slurry 304 of liquid and material elements. The processor 202 may execute instruction 516 to merge the digital model 210 of the feature 212 with the digital model 204 of the screen 206. As discussed herein, the processor 202 may add the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206 such that the digital model 210 of the feature 212 extends above the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206, where the feature 212 is to be added to the screen 206 when the screen 206 and the feature 212 are manufactured. Alternatively, the processor 202 may add the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to below the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206 such that the digital model 210 of the feature 212 extends below the surface of the digital model 204 of the screen 206, where the feature 212 is to be removed from the screen 206 when the screen 206 is manufactured.

[0075] The processor 202 may execute instruction 518 to identify positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 that coincide with pores 220 in the digital model 210 of the screen 210. Additionally, the processor 202 may modify the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to add pores 214 at the identified positions in the digital model 210 of the feature 212 to extend the pores 214 in the digital model 204 of the screen 206 through the digital model 210 of the feature 212.

[0076] Although specifically described throughout this disclosure, representative examples of the disclosure may be used in a wide variety of applications, and the foregoing discussion is not intended and should not be construed as limiting, but rather is provided as an illustrative discussion of aspects of the disclosure.

[0077] Described and illustrated herein are some of the examples and variations of the disclosure. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth in an illustrative manner and are not meant to be limiting. Many variations within the scope of the disclosure are possible and are intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, where all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A non - transitory computer - readable medium having machine - readable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: Obtain a digital model of a sieve to be manufactured by a 3D manufacturing system, the digital model of the sieve including a plurality of pores, or the digital model of the sieve is to be processed to add a plurality of pores to the digital model by an algorithm, wherein, The screen is to be implemented in the formation of the wet end from a slurry of liquid and material elements; Obtain a digital model of a feature to be added to a portion of the screen, wherein the feature is to impart details to the wet end during the formation of the wet end; Merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen; Identify positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with pores in the digital model of the screen; and Modify the digital model of the feature to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature, such that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions further cause the processor to: Process the digital model of the screen to add the plurality of pores to the digital model of the screen by an algorithm.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, To merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen, the instructions further cause the processor to: Add the digital model of the feature to the surface of the digital model of the screen such that the digital model of the feature extends above the surface of the digital model of the screen, wherein the feature is to be added to the screen when manufacturing the screen and the feature.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, To merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen, the instructions further cause the processor to: Add the digital model of the feature to below the surface of the digital model of the screen such that the digital model of the feature extends below the surface of the digital model of the screen, wherein the feature is to be removed from the screen when manufacturing the screen.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, The feature corresponds to a raised graphic element, a raised logo, raised text, a predefined raised texture, a predefined raised pattern, a shallow relief, or a combination thereof.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, The screen includes a forming screen to be removably mounted on a forming die or a transfer screen to be removably mounted on a transfer die.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, The digital model of the screen includes a substantially horizontally - extending surface and a substantially vertically - extending surface, and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to: Merge the digital model of the feature into the substantially horizontally - extending surface, the substantially vertically - extending surface, or both the substantially horizontally - extending surface and the substantially vertically - extending surface.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions further cause the processor to: Send the modified digital model to the 3D manufacturing system, wherein the 3D manufacturing system is configured to manufacture the screen according to the model of the screen and the modified digital model of the feature.

9. A method for 3D manufacturing, comprising: Obtaining, by a processor, a digital model of a screen; Adding, by the processor, a plurality of pores to the digital model of the screen, wherein the screen is to be implemented in the formation of the wet end from a slurry of liquid and material elements; Obtain a digital model of a feature to be added to the screen, where the feature is to impart details to a wet part during the formation of the wet part; Merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen by the processor; and Identify, by the processor, positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with pores in the digital model of the screen; and Modify the digital model of the feature by the processor to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature so that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The merging of the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen further includes: Adding the digital model of the feature to the surface of the digital model of the screen so that the digital model of the feature extends above the surface of the digital model of the screen, where the feature is to be added to the screen when manufacturing the screen and the feature.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The merging of the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen further includes: Adding the digital model of the feature below the surface of the digital model of the screen so that the digital model of the feature extends below the surface of the digital model of the screen, where the feature is to be removed from the screen when manufacturing the screen.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein The digital model of the screen includes a substantially horizontally extending surface and a substantially vertically extending surface, and the method further includes: Merging the digital model of the feature into the substantially horizontally extending surface, the substantially vertically extending surface, or both the substantially horizontally extending surface and the substantially vertically extending surface.

13. An apparatus for 3D manufacturing, comprising: A processor; And A memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: Obtain a digital model of a screen, the digital model including a plurality of pores, or the digital model is to be processed to add a plurality of pores to the digital model of the screen by an algorithm, where the screen is one of a forming screen to be removably mounted on a forming mold and a transfer screen to be removably mounted on a transfer mold; Obtain a digital model of a feature to be added to the screen, where the feature is to impart details to a wet part during the formation of the wet part from a slurry of liquid and material elements; Merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen; Identify positions in the digital model of the feature that coincide with pores in the digital model of the screen; and Modify the digital model of the feature to add pores at the identified positions in the digital model of the feature so that the pores in the digital model of the screen extend through the digital model of the feature.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The feature corresponds to a predefined embossed texture, embossed graphic element, embossed logo, embossed text, predefined embossed texture, predefined embossed pattern, shallow embossing, or a combination thereof.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, To merge the digital model of the feature with the digital model of the screen, the instructions further cause the processor to: Add the digital model of the feature to the surface of the digital model of the screen such that the digital model of the feature extends above the surface of the digital model of the screen, wherein the feature is to be added to the screen when manufacturing the screen and the feature; or Add the digital model of the feature to below the surface of the digital model of the screen such that the digital model of the feature extends below the surface of the digital model of the screen, wherein the feature is to be removed from the screen when manufacturing the screen.

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