3D Object Division for Tree Structures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for outputting three-dimensional objects with tree structures, such as blood vessels and bronchi, from three-dimensional printers often result in small pieces being produced, which are not efficiently handled and require excessive assembly, as existing division methods do not effectively maximize the size of division objects within the printer's output range.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional object division output apparatus that extracts tree structures from volume data, searches for optimal division positions to maximize the size of division objects within the printer's output range, and divides the objects at these positions to ensure that all parts can be efficiently output and assembled without producing small pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the object is simply divided into parts corresponding to the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped representing the outputtable range of the three-dimensional printer, then the object can be output from a small-scale three-dimensional printer, but end portions of edges of the tree structure are separated into small portions of edges, increasing the number of positions at which the parts are joined together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tree structure object into multiple division objects by cutting along edges at specific positions. The segmentation algorithm divides the object graph into connected components by removing edges, creating division objects that fit within the printer's output range while minimizing the number of resulting pieces and assembly positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from simple rectangular bounding box division to a graph-theoretic approach that considers the topological structure of the tree object. By representing the object as a graph with nodes and edges, and using graph cutting algorithms, the patent achieves division that respects the actual geometry and connectivity of the tree structure rather than imposing an arbitrary rectangular grid.
2Device complexity
If the object is divided at the interlobar surface to reduce the number of times of joining parts together, then the number of assembly positions is reduced, but the size of a divided part exceeds the output range of a three-dimensional printer in some cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an iterative division process where the algorithm dynamically adjusts the division strategy based on the size of resulting parts. If a division at an interlobar surface produces parts that are too large, the algorithm continues to divide those parts further along their edges until all resulting division objects fit within the printer's output range. This dynamic adjustment ensures both minimal assembly positions and compliance with size constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary graph representation and analysis of the tree structure before actual division. By pre-processing the object into a graph data structure and identifying all possible cut positions along edges, the algorithm can plan an optimal division sequence that guarantees all resulting parts will fit within the output range, avoiding the need for post-division adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction unit extracts, from volume data, a three-dimensional object having a tree-structure including plural end-points, plural branch-points, at least one edge each connecting an end-point and a branch-point, and at least one edge each connecting two branch-points. A division position search unit searches for a division candidate position that maximizes, with respect to an output range of a three-dimensional object creation apparatus, the size of at least one of division objects obtainable by dividing the three-dimensional object at the division candidate position on one of the edges of the tree-structure. A division unit divides, at a position on the one of the edges on which the division candidate position is present, the three-dimensional object into division objects the size of at least one of which is within the output range. An output unit outputs the at least one of the division objects to the three-dimensional object creation apparatus.