3D Printing System Using Variable Focal Length Imaging for Profile Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional printing technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently obtaining the profile of an object to be reproduced, leading to increased time, labor, and cost due to the need for manual scanning and CAD modeling.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional printing system comprising a light source unit, image-capturing module with a focus-adjusting lens group, and a processing unit that captures images under different focal lengths to calculate three-dimensional profile data, allowing for precise reproduction of the object's surface and inner shape without the need for CAD modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual scanning and CAD modeling are used to obtain object profiles, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but time consumption and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copying through image capturing devices to directly obtain object profiles without manual scanning. Multiple images at different focal lengths are captured and processed to reconstruct the 3D profile, replacing time-consuming manual CAD modeling with automated optical copying and computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical scanning operations with an automated optical-mechanical system consisting of image capturing devices, focus adjusting mechanisms, and computational processing. This substitution eliminates manual labor while maintaining measurement accuracy through systematic focal length variation and image processing.
2Measurement precision
If manual scanning and CAD modeling are used to obtain object profiles, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but labor cost increases due to additional time and effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical copying through automated image capture to obtain object profiles, eliminating the need for manual scanning and CAD modeling. This reduces labor costs while maintaining accuracy through systematic capture of multiple images at different focal lengths and automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing images, processing them through focus adjusting, and reconstructing 3D profiles without human intervention. The computational processing automatically handles the profile extraction and reproduction preparation, eliminating manual labor costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple images are captured under different focal lengths, then three-dimensional profile accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the imaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic focus adjusting mechanism that varies the focal length of the imaging system to capture multiple images at different focal planes. This dynamic adjustment allows a single imaging device to capture comprehensive 3D information without requiring multiple complex fixed-focus cameras, simplifying the overall system while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the focal length dimension to the imaging process by capturing images at multiple focal lengths. This dimensional extension allows the system to extract 3D profile information from 2D images through focus variation, achieving accurate 3D reconstruction without complex multi-camera arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient reproduction of three-dimensional objects by capturing focused images under varying focal lengths, reducing production time and cost while maintaining high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit (110), at least one image-capturing module (120)
Implementation Method 2
the focus-adjusting lens group (124) is disposed between the image-capturing unit (122) and the object to be measured (OB)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A three-dimensional printing system includes a light source unit, at least one image-capturing module, a processing unit and a printing device. The image-capturing module includes an image-capturing unit and a focus-adjusting lens group. The processing unit controls a zooming lens to change a shooting focal length and controlling multiple images of the object to be measured captured by the image-capturing unit under the different shooting focal lengths, wherein each of the plural images includes focused and unfocused local images therein, and the processing unit calculates out a three-dimensional profile data of the object to be measured according to the focused local images in the images and the shooting focal lengths corresponding to the focused local images. The printing device prints multiple cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the object to be measured. Further, a method for three-dimensional printing is also provided.