3D Model Rotation for Directional Strength in Lamination Fabrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lamination fabricating apparatuses do not consider the laminating direction of 3D-fabricated objects, resulting in inferior tensile strength in the vertical direction compared to the horizontal direction, leading to a lack of preferred strength in the fabricated objects.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a display unit to show 3D model data, a direction receiver to input desired reinforcement directions, and a relocation unit to rotate the 3D model data, allowing for the reinforcement of 3D-fabricated objects in specific directions by converting and displaying shape data to enhance tensile strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the 3D-fabricated object is laminated from bottom up in vertical direction, then the fabrication process is simple and efficient, but the strength against tension in the vertical direction becomes lower than in the horizontal direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabrication efficiencyVSAvoidtensile strength in vertical direction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by rotating the 3D model data before fabrication to pre-determine the optimal strength direction. The system calculates the principal stress direction and rotates the model accordingly before the lamination process begins, ensuring that the final fabricated object has enhanced strength in the required direction without modifying the fabrication process itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the laminating direction is fixed vertically, then the fabrication process is straightforward, but the strength direction cannot be optimized for specific application requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabrication process simplicityVSAvoidstrength direction optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the model orientation adjustable and adaptable. The system dynamically rotates the 3D model data based on calculated principal stress directions or user-specified requirements, allowing the fabrication process to adapt to different strength requirements while maintaining the same straightforward vertical lamination process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the orientation parameter of the 3D model data before fabrication. The system changes the rotational parameters of the model based on stress analysis or user input, enabling optimization of strength characteristics without changing the fundamental fabrication process parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3273673B1Information processing apparatus, fabricating system, and data processing method
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3273673B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3273673B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP3273673B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

An information processing apparatus (20) sends fabrication data to a lamination fabricating apparatus (70) configured to laminate the material to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D-) fabricated object. The information processing apparatus (20) includes a display unit (23) configured to display shape data of the 3D-fabricated object on the display device (508), a direction receiver (24) configured to receive a direction regarding a strength of the 3D-fabricated object according to the shape data of the 3D-fabricated object on the display device (508), and a relocation unit (25) configured to convert the data to rotate the shape of the 3D-fabricated object in the direction received by the direction receiver (24) to reinforce the 3D-fabricated object.