3D Print Job Composition With Internal Part Placement Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing systems are limited in their ability to efficiently process and optimize the placement of multiple parts within a 3D printing job, as they often rely on external applications to generate print jobs in specific formats, which restricts the control over part placement and utilization of the 3D printer's capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The system allows direct interpretation and composition of part files within the 3D printer, using parsers to handle various file formats and geometries, and employs 3D bin packing optimization to optimally place parts within the printable bed, considering the printer's characteristics and parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external applications are used to generate print jobs in specific formats, then compatibility with external tools is improved, but control over part placement and utilization of the 3D printer's capabilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that sits between external applications and the 3D printer hardware. This intermediary receives various file formats from external tools, processes them internally, and generates optimized print jobs that maintain compatibility with external applications while enabling full control over part placement and printer utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the 3D printer to self-generate optimized print jobs by internally processing part files and automatically determining optimal part placement. This self-service capability allows the printer to utilize its own capabilities fully without being constrained by external application limitations, while still accepting input from external tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple part files are processed externally, then file format compatibility is improved, but processing efficiency and optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing workflow into distinct stages: external applications provide individual part files in various formats, the intermediary software separately parses and validates each file, then systematically processes them through optimization algorithms to generate the final print job. This segmentation maintains format compatibility while enabling efficient batch processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes processing parameters by performing multiple passes over the part files - first parsing and validation, then optimization and placement determination, and finally generation of print instructions. This multi-pass parameter change approach efficiently handles multiple file formats while maximizing processing optimization.
3Ease of manufacture
If part placement is not optimized, then simplicity of job generation is improved, but utilization of printable bed and printing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically determining optimal part placement on the printable bed before the actual printing process begins. The system pre-calculates the best arrangement of multiple parts, considering bed dimensions, part geometries, and printing requirements, thereby ensuring high utilization and quality without complicating the user's job generation process.
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an additive manufacturing engine and an input to receive a plurality of part files to create a plurality of parts. Each part file includes a description of a part to be created by the additive manufacturing engine. A processor interprets a part file to read the description of the part from the part file, stores at least a portion of the description of the part, and repeats the interpretation and storing for each of the received part files. A job composer generates a manufacturing job using the stored descriptions and using characteristics of the additive manufacturing engine, and provides the generated manufacturing job to the additive manufacturing engine.