3D Object Printing Path Smoothing for Collision-Free Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional object printing technologies face challenges in maintaining a short distance between the liquid ejection head and the workpiece while avoiding collisions due to uneven surfaces, leading to potential collisions and deteriorated printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional object printing apparatus and method that involves generating smoothing data by performing smoothing processing on workpiece data to create a printing path, dividing the printing surface into regions, and using a multi-joint robot to scan the liquid ejection head, ensuring a stable and high-quality printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the distance between the liquid ejection head and the workpiece is shortened to improve printing quality, then printing quality is improved, but collision between the head and the workpiece occurs when the surface has unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing smoothing processing on the workpiece surface data before generating the printing path. This pre-processing step removes surface unevenness in advance, allowing the liquid ejection head to operate at a shorter, safer distance without risk of collision with protrusions or recesses in the original surface geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a smoothed version of the workpiece surface as a virtual copy or representation. This smoothed surface data is then used to generate the printing path, effectively copying the essential printing requirements while eliminating the harmful surface unevenness that would cause collisions.
2Reliability
If the distance between the liquid ejection head and the workpiece is increased to avoid collision, then collision is avoided, but printing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By performing smoothing processing on the workpiece surface data before path generation, the system prepares a simplified surface representation that allows the liquid ejection head to maintain a consistently short distance without risking collision with surface protrusions, thus resolving the need to increase distance for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the workpiece surface through smoothing processing, transforming the original uneven surface into a smoothed version with reduced curvature variations. This parameter transformation enables safer operation at shorter distances by eliminating the geometric features that would cause collisions.
3Reliability
If smoothing processing is performed on the workpiece surface data, then collision risk is reduced and printing quality is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the smoothing processing into discrete computational steps that operate on the workpiece surface data. By dividing the complex smoothing operation into manageable segments, the system can efficiently process the surface geometry and generate the printing path without excessive time consumption, balancing quality and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional object printing apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that has a plurality of nozzles ejecting a liquid toward a workpiece, a multi-joint robot that has a tip end portion supporting the liquid ejection head and causes the liquid ejection head to scan with respect to the workpiece, and a control portion that creates a printing path along which the liquid ejection head is scanned, in which the control portion generates smoothing data by performing smoothing processing on workpiece data indicating a shape of a printing surface, which is a surface of the workpiece to be printed, and creates the printing path based on the smoothing data.