3D Printing Volumetric Property Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing methods for dental parts lack precise control over local variations in translucency, shading, and color, relying on manual processes or stacking different materials which are inefficient and imprecise.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing method and system that compute and project spatially structured illumination beams based on pixel patterns to control light properties such as intensity, color, and exposure time for each volumetric unit, allowing for precise control of translucency, shading, and color across the entire object, not just its edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual processes or stacking different materials are used to achieve local variations in translucency, shading, and color, then the desired aesthetic quality can be achieved, but the manufacturing efficiency and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (hand-painting, stacking materials) with an automated optical system. A light source projects structured illumination patterns onto the photopolymerizable material during 3D printing, enabling precise digital control over light intensity, color, and exposure time for each volumetric unit. This optical-mechanical automation achieves both high precision in controlling aesthetic properties and improved manufacturing efficiency by eliminating manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current 3D printing methods are used without spatially structured illumination, then the printing process is simple, but the ability to control local variations in translucency, shading, and color deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple controllable light sources or programmable illumination zones that can independently control different regions of the photopolymerizable material. Each volumetric unit can receive customized light patterns, enabling precise control over local translucency, shading, and color variations while maintaining a manageable system architecture based on modular optical components.
3Manufacturing precision
If uniform illumination is used during 3D printing, then the printing process is straightforward, but the manufacturing precision of local physical properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system transitions from static uniform lighting to dynamic programmable illumination. The light sources can be dynamically controlled to project different patterns, intensities, and colors onto different volumetric units at different times during the printing process. This dynamic control enables precise manipulation of local physical properties such as translucency and shading while the system maintains ease of manufacture through automated digital control rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
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 the creation of dental parts with precise local variations in translucency, shading, and color, improving the aesthetic and functional quality of 3D printed dental objects by embedding these properties during the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a photocurable substance with images that may transform monomers and oligomers of the photocurable substance into polymers
Data Source
AI summary
Manufacturing a dental part with volumetric units that vary in translucency, shading and/or color. A beam translation module of a 3D printing system is used to translate an input pattern into an output for controlling a spatial structuring of light for 3D printing an object from a resin material that is sensitive to light intensity, light color or light exposure time.