3D Print Orientation for Minimizing Overhang Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D printing technologies face inefficiencies in orienting objects to minimize overhang volumes, leading to material waste and complex support structure design, which affects the quality and efficiency of the printing process.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for determining optimal orientations of a 3D modeled object to minimize overhang volume, allowing for reduced material consumption and improved printing quality by automatically calculating the most efficient orientation for 3D printing, including techniques such as discrete sampling and snapping options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If traditional 3D printing orientation methods are used, then the printing process can be completed, but overhang volume is not minimized leading to material waste and complex support structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidsupport structure design

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining the optimal printing orientation before the actual 3D printing process begins. The system computes overhang volume for multiple candidate orientations and selects the optimal orientation in advance, thereby minimizing material waste and simplifying support structure design before printing commences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the orientation parameters (rotation angles around different axes) of the 3D model to find the optimal configuration. The system evaluates multiple orientation parameters and selects the combination that minimizes overhang volume, thus reducing material consumption and support complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If optimal orientation calculation is performed, then material waste is reduced, but computational time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidorientation calculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous orientation space into a finite discrete set of candidate orientations. Instead of evaluating all possible orientations continuously, the system segments the orientation domain into discrete sampling points, computing overhang volume only for these specific orientations, thereby reducing computational time while still finding near-optimal solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by evaluating only a selected subset of orientations (discrete sampling) rather than exhaustively analyzing all possible orientations. The system computes overhang volume for a finite number of candidate orientations and selects the best among them, achieving sufficient optimization without the excessive computational cost of complete analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10996651B2Orientation of a real object for 3D printing

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 DASSAULT SYSTEMES SA

AI summary

Described herein is a computer-implemented method for orienting 3D printing of a real object. The method comprises obtaining a 3D modeled object that represents the real object. The method also comprises determining one or more orientations of the 3D modeled object for which an overhang volume is optimal. This improves 3D printing.