3D Print Job Layout With Region-Specific Layer Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing systems are limited in their ability to efficiently print objects with varying layer thicknesses within a single print job, as they typically require uniform layer thickness, which can compromise on either print quality or time efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system allows for the spatial arrangement of objects in a build volume divided into regions with specific build material layer thicknesses, enabling the printing of objects with different layer thicknesses simultaneously, using a processor and machine-readable instructions to create a 3D print job that specifies these thicknesses for each object or object portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform layer thickness is used throughout the build volume, then printing process is simplified, but print quality and time efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the build volume into multiple regions, each with its own specified layer thickness. This allows different parts of the build volume to have different layer thicknesses optimized for their specific requirements, thereby improving print quality and time efficiency without complicating the overall printing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If thinner layer thickness is used, then surface finish quality is improved, but printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables specification of different layer thicknesses for different regions within the build volume. Regions requiring high surface finish quality can use thinner layers, while regions where speed is prioritized can use thicker layers, thus optimizing both quality and printing time simultaneously.
3Productivity
If thicker layer thickness is used, then printing time is reduced, but surface finish quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows different layer thicknesses to be specified for different regions, enabling thicker layers to be used in regions where printing speed is critical, while maintaining thinner layers in regions where surface finish quality is paramount, thus resolving the trade-off between speed and quality.
4Productivity
If variable layer thicknesses are allowed for different objects, then printing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a region specification mechanism that allows different layer thickness parameters to be assigned to different regions in the build volume. This parameter change approach enables variable layer thicknesses for different objects while maintaining a manageable system through structured region definitions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus has a processor and a machine-readable storage medium storing machine-readable instructions executable by the processor. The processor is to create a 3D print job defining a spatial arrangement of objects to be printed such that each object or each object portion is arranged in a region or regions having a build material layer thickness corresponding to a user-specified build material layer thickness and such that objects or object portions having different build material layer thicknesses are arranged in different regions. Different build material layer thicknesses may be user-specified for different objects or different object portions.