3D Print Color Calibration for Surface-Angle Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional printing devices face challenges in maintaining uniform visual color characteristics due to angular color dependency, where colors appear different based on the orientation of the 3D object's surface angles, leading to non-uniform visual appearances.
Innovation Solution
A computing system generates 3D color calibration data by analyzing test objects with varying surface angles and colors, using color measurement data to determine angular color dependency characteristics, which are then used to adjust the deposition of printing materials, ensuring uniform color appearance across different surface orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard color printing is used without angular compensation, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the visual color appearance becomes non-uniform across different surface orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary color calibration by printing test objects with various surface angles and measuring their actual color appearance. This advance characterization of angular color dependency creates a lookup table or model that compensates for viewing angle effects, enabling uniform color output without real-time complexity during production printing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the color parameters (CMYK values) based on the surface orientation angles of the 3D object. By adjusting the ink deposition parameters according to the known angular dependencies characterized during calibration, the system compensates for viewing angle effects and achieves uniform color appearance across different surface orientations
2Manufacturing precision
If color measurement and analysis is performed for calibration, then angular color dependency can be compensated, but the calibration process requires additional time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The color calibration process is performed as a preliminary one-time or periodic operation rather than during each printing operation. Test objects are printed, measured, and analyzed in advance to build compensation models, separating the time-consuming measurement phase from production printing and thus minimizing impact on operational throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simplified test objects with standardized geometries and color patches that replicate the essential angular color dependency characteristics without requiring complex real-world object measurements. These representative test copies enable efficient calibration with minimal measurement time while capturing the necessary angular behavior patterns
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples analyze three-dimensional printing specifications associated with a three-dimensional printing device to determine test angles for a test object and test surfaces corresponding to the test angles for the test object. Examples generate the test object for color calibration for the three-dimensional printing device based at least in part on the test angles and test surfaces that are configured with at least one test color.