3D Printed Color Cells With White Barrier Outlines for Painted Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional printing methods fail to produce high-quality painted surfaces on colored objects, as existing methods using multiple printing heads cannot effectively achieve a smooth, vibrant finish.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the selective deposition of materials, layer by layer, using a white barrier outline and transparent or colored building materials, with color calculations based on 2D color theory, to create 3D color cells that allow for increased color gamut and resolution, enabling the use of CMY or CMYK color systems and half-toning techniques to achieve a painted surface similar to 2D printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printing heads eject building materials of different colors throughout the entire layer, then colored three-dimensional objects can be formed, but the painted surface quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color deposition process into two distinct stages: first forming the three-dimensional object structure with building materials, then separately applying paint layers to the surface. This separation allows each process to be optimized independently - the structural formation uses standard 3D printing techniques while the surface painting uses conventional high-quality painting methods, thereby achieving both color capability and high surface quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from attempting to achieve color through the bulk material (volume dimension) to applying color through surface coating (surface dimension). By moving the color application to the surface level rather than incorporating it throughout the entire layer volume, the system achieves superior surface quality while maintaining color versatility
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional 3D printing methods are used to form colored objects, then the object can be built in color, but the surface finish lacks the quality of painted surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first forming the complete three-dimensional object structure before applying any color or paint. This ensures the underlying geometry is fully established and ready to receive the paint coating, allowing the painting process to focus solely on surface quality without the complexity of simultaneous structural formation and color application
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of printing a three-dimensional object, layer by layer are provided. Layers are formed by a bulk inner region which may be formed by depositing a transparent material, a white material, a colored material or a combination thereof, and a color outline which includes voxels formed by depositing a colored building material.