3D Object Property Data Conversion for Multi-Printer Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing technologies face challenges in generating three-dimensional objects with specific properties such as conductivity, density, and appearance, as they often require detailed model-specific control data and are limited by the capabilities of specific print apparatus, making it difficult to produce objects with varied properties across different devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of device-independent object property data objects that transform three-dimensional object data into a standardized format, allowing for the generation of control data that can be interpreted by a range of print apparatus, using halftoning techniques and material volume coverage specifications to achieve desired object properties regardless of the print apparatus capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If detailed model-specific control data is used to generate three-dimensional objects with specific properties, then manufacturing precision of object properties is improved, but device complexity and limitation to specific print apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure called 'object property data object' that acts as a mediator between the three-dimensional model data and the print apparatus-specific control data. This intermediary contains standardized property specifications (conductivity, density, appearance) that can be translated into device-specific parameters, thereby reducing the complexity of creating detailed model-specific control data while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the control data generation process by changing from direct model-specific parameters to standardized object property parameters. The system accepts high-level property specifications (e.g., desired conductivity, density, appearance) and automatically translates them into print apparatus-specific control parameters, reducing the complexity of control data while achieving precise property control.
2Manufacturing precision
If print apparatus-specific control data is generated for each device, then manufacturing precision for that specific device is improved, but adaptability across different print apparatus deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data structure (object property data object) that can serve multiple print apparatus types. This data structure contains standardized property specifications that are device-agnostic, allowing the same control data to be adapted across different print apparatus while maintaining manufacturing precision for each specific device through automatic parameter translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The object property data object serves as a universal intermediary between the design model and various print apparatus. It contains standardized property specifications that can be translated into device-specific parameters, enabling the same control data to work across multiple apparatus types while maintaining device-specific manufacturing precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized device-independent object property data objects are used, then adaptability across different print apparatus is improved, but manufacturing precision for specific device capabilities may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized object property data object serves as an intermediary that preserves adaptability while enabling precision. It contains high-level property specifications that are translated into device-specific parameters, allowing the system to maintain multi-device compatibility through standardization while achieving device-optimized manufacturing precision through the translation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs parameter changes by transforming standardized object property parameters into device-specific control parameters. This transformation maintains the adaptability benefits of standardized data while achieving the manufacturing precision required for specific device capabilities through automatic parameter optimization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If halftoning techniques and material volume coverage specifications are used to achieve desired properties, then object property versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies halftoning techniques and material volume coverage specifications during the control data generation phase, before actual printing. This preliminary processing of the object property data objects prepares the control parameters in advance, reducing the complexity during the actual printing process while enabling a wide range of achievable properties.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for transforming three dimensional object data are disclosed. In some examples, data representing a three dimensional object is received, the data comprising object property data indicative of at least one attribute of at least a portion of the three dimensional object. The object property data is transformed into a plurality of device independent object property data objects having a common data structure, each object property data object comprising a value indicative of each of a predetermined set of object properties.