3D Color Printing Material Arrangement for Accurate Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing technologies face limitations in color gamut and accurate color reproduction, particularly with translucent materials, leading to false color reproduction and complex computational processing due to the restricted ability to combine printing materials and account for their scattering and transmission properties.

Innovation Solution

A method for three-dimensional color printing that uses multiple printing materials with different colors to construct objects, where the arrangement of materials in surface and near-surface regions is optimized based on desired color reproduction, incorporating support materials to enhance color gamut and mechanical stability, and employs voxel-based representation and half-toning algorithms for efficient processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If translucent printing materials are used to enable color mixing, then color gamut is improved, but color reproduction accuracy deteriorates due to transmission and scattering effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor gamutVSAvoidcolor reproduction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and compensating for transmission and scattering effects during the digital processing stage. The system computes adjusted color values that account for material optical properties before printing, so that the final printed colors are accurate despite the translucent nature of the materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by modifying the digital color values and material distribution based on computed transmission and scattering characteristics. The system adjusts the concentration, position, and combination of printing materials to compensate for optical effects, transforming the raw color data into corrected parameters that achieve accurate color reproduction with translucent materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple printing materials are combined to expand color gamut, then color reproduction capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor gamutVSAvoidprinting device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a printing system that can handle multiple material types and optical properties through a unified digital processing framework. The same printing device can switch between different material combinations and processing modes depending on the required color gamut and material properties, making the system versatile without requiring separate specialized devices for each material type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple printing materials with different optical properties (translucent, opaque, fluorescent) in controlled ratios and configurations. This allows the system to expand color gamut beyond what single materials can achieve, creating effective composite color outputs through physical material combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If material placement is optimized for color accuracy by accounting for transmission and scattering, then color reproduction is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor reproduction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the computational task into distinct stages: first computing transmission and scattering properties for each material type, then using these results to adjust color values, and finally determining material placement. This segmented approach breaks down the complex computational problem into manageable steps that can be processed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing transmission and scattering parameters for each printing material before the actual color reproduction calculation. These pre-computed optical properties are stored and reused during processing, avoiding redundant calculations and reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining color accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach improves color reproduction accuracy, increases the color gamut, and simplifies computational processing by allowing for the efficient arrangement and quantization of printing materials, ensuring better mechanical stability and reduced computational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

Such materials have high transmission and scattering properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTransmission (optical): Refraction

Implementation Method 2

Such materials have high transmission and scattering properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering (optical): Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3023229B1A method for three-dimensional color printing and a three-dimensional color printing device
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3023229B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3023229B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3023229B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for three-dimensional color printing, wherein at least a first printing material with a first printing material color and at least another printing material with another printing material color is used to construct a printing object (7), wherein an arrangement of the printing materials in a surface region and a near surface interior region of the printing object (7) is determined based on a desired color reproduction of the printing object.