3D Object Customization Within Additive Manufacturing Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers lack the design skills and time to create 3-D printed objects that meet professional standards for both aesthetics and functionality, and existing 3-D printing technologies do not effectively allow for user-driven customization without compromising manufacturing control.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a design storage module, application services module, and web services module to allow users to modify baseline 3-D design files using 3-D scanning data, generate graphical user interfaces for customization, and transmit user inputs for additive manufacturing, while maintaining printability constraints to ensure design integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If consumers create their own 3-D printing designs, then customization capability is improved, but design quality and professional standards deteriorate due to lack of design skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising automated design tools, pre-configured templates, and AI-assisted design generators that mediate between consumer customization desires and professional design standards. These intermediaries process user inputs and automatically generate or adjust designs to meet quality requirements without requiring users to have expert design skills.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated design validation, quality checking, and optimization algorithms that automatically ensure design quality without human expert intervention. The technology provides self-correcting mechanisms that guide consumers to create quality designs independently through simplified interfaces and automated feedback loops.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional manufacturing processes are used, then manufacturing control and design standards are maintained, but flexibility and ease of modification deteriorate due to rigid molds and retooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, fixed molds to dynamic, software-based design systems. The manufacturing process becomes adaptable through digital models that can be easily modified without physical retooling, allowing both stability in production control and flexibility in design changes through digital parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical mold-based manufacturing with digital 3-D printing processes. This substitution eliminates the need for physical retooling while maintaining manufacturing control through software-based design validation and automated generation of manufacturing instructions, enabling both flexibility and stability simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If consumers invest time to develop 3-D printing design specifications, then design customization is improved, but time requirement and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action through pre-configured design templates, pre-validated parameter sets, and pre-processing of common design elements. These preliminary preparations allow consumers to quickly customize designs by selecting and modifying pre-approved components rather than creating designs from scratch, significantly reducing the time and complexity required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system simplifies customization by allowing consumers to modify high-level parameters rather than detailed design specifications. Through automated parameter optimization and constraint management, the system translates simple user preferences into complete design specifications, reducing the complexity and time of design development while maintaining customization capability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to systems and methods which allow for 3-D printed objects, such as eyeglasses and wristwatches, for example, to be customized by users according to modification specifications that are defined and constrained by manufacturers. These modification specifications may be constrained by the manufacturers based on factors relating to the printability of a modified design.