3D Object Preview Generation for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing technologies face challenges in accurately generating three-dimensional objects with specified properties such as color, transparency, glossiness, and mechanical properties, as existing methods lack effective control over the application and combination of print materials, leading to potential errors and unintended artefacts in the final product.
Innovation Solution
The use of voxel-based control data and halftoning techniques to determine the precise application of print materials, combined with advanced color and appearance parameter processing, ensures accurate material volume coverage and property specification, enabling the generation of objects with desired properties and early detection of potential errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If control data is generated from a model of a three-dimensional object to specify locations for applying agents or build material, then the object can be generated with intended appearance properties, but errors and unintended artefacts may occur in the final product due to lack of effective control over material application and combination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating a preview of the three-dimensional object before actual manufacturing. The preview system simulates the appearance and material distribution based on control data, allowing errors and artefacts to be detected before production. This preliminary visualization step enables correction of control data issues without wasting manufacturing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a visual replica or preview of the intended three-dimensional object. This preview copy mirrors the expected material distribution, color, and appearance properties, allowing verification of control data accuracy. The copy serves as a virtual prototype to validate the manufacturing plan before physical production.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing additive manufacturing methods are used without effective control over print material application, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the final product contains errors and unintended artefacts
Solution Approach 1:
The preview generation performs preliminary validation of control data before manufacturing execution. By simulating material application and visual appearance in advance, the system identifies potential errors without adding complex manual intervention steps during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the generated preview against the intended design specifications. This feedback loop identifies discrepancies in material application, color accuracy, or artefact formation, allowing automatic or manual correction of control data to improve manufacturing precision while maintaining process simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus relating to previews of objects are described. In one example, control data for generating a three-dimensional object specifying, for voxels of the object, at least one print material to be deposited in that voxel during object generation is obtained. A viewing frustum may be determined, and visible voxels within the viewing frustum identified. A number of preview display pixels to display the preview may be determined and the set of voxels to be represented by each preview display pixel identified. At least one voxel appearance parameter of a voxel may be determined from the control data. For each preview display pixel, at least one pixel appearance parameter may be determined by combining voxel appearance parameters for the set of voxels to be represented by that preview display pixel. Preview display pixels may be controlled to display a preview of the object according to the at least one pixel appearance parameter.