Inward Color Contours in 3D Printing for Wear-Resistant Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D printing technologies risk damaging the inkjetted contour of color 3D models when worn or exposed to water, affecting the appearance of the finished product.
Innovation Solution
A method that controls a 3D print head based on print route information and a 2D print head based on updated color printing information to inwardly decrease the coloring contour, using transparent thermoplastic filaments to ensure the ink is permeated within the model rather than on its surface, preventing damage from wear or water exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink is jetted directly on the contour of the color 3D model, then the coloring process is simple and efficient, but the ink is damaged when the contour is worn or contacts water, affecting the appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inwardly decreasing the coloring contour before the actual coloring process. The contour is pre-processed to create an offset contour that is positioned inside the original contour, ensuring that ink will be deposited within the model body rather than on the vulnerable outer surface. This preliminary geometric modification prevents the ink damage problem before it can occur during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dimensionality change by transitioning from a 2D surface contour to a 3D volumetric position. Instead of coloring on the 2D outer surface contour, the method calculates and colors on a 3D offset contour that is positioned inward into the model's volume. This dimensional shift moves the ink deposition from the vulnerable surface to the protected interior, resolving the durability issue while maintaining coloring efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If ink is jetted on the surface contour, then the coloring process is straightforward, but the appearance of the colored 3D model is seriously affected when the contour wears or contacts water
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and offsetting the coloring contour inward before the coloring operation. This advance geometric processing ensures that the ink is positioned within the model body, protecting it from water and wear. The preliminary contour modification simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for post-coloring protection measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary geometric operation (contour offsetting) as a mediator between the original contour and the final coloring process. This intermediary step creates a protected intermediate contour that serves as the actual coloring target, shielding the ink from direct exposure to external damaging factors while maintaining the simplicity of the coloring operation.
3Productivity
If the coloring contour is on the outer surface, then the model can be printed efficiently, but the inkjetted contour is vulnerable to damage from wear and water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-offsetting the coloring contour inward before printing. This advance geometric modification ensures that the ink will be deposited within the model body rather than on the vulnerable outer surface. The preliminary contour calculation maintains printing efficiency while simultaneously strengthening the ink's resistance to wear and water damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The method uses dimensionality change by moving the coloring operation from the 2D outer surface to a 3D position within the model volume. This dimensional transition positions the ink inside the model structure where it is protected from external damaging factors, thereby strengthening the contour's resistance to wear and water while maintaining efficient printing.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~4A
AI summary
A method of inwardly decreasing a coloring contour of a color 3D object includes the steps of sending a 3D object to a processor; performing an object slicing on the 3D object to generate records of object print route information of printing layers; performing an image slicing on the 3D object to generate records of color printing information of the printing layers, wherein each color printing information respectively involves an original coloring contour (3) of each printing layer; performing an inward decrease on the records of color printing information to generate records of updated color printing information, wherein each updated color printing information involves an inwardly decreased coloring contour (4) of each printing layer, and the inwardly decreased coloring contour (4) is spaced from the original coloring contour (3) by an inwardly decreased distance (D); and causing a storage to store the records of object print route information as route files, and storing the records of updated color printing information as image files.