3D Object Shape Profile Generation via Layer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial 3D printers face challenges in optimizing the printing process for multiple complex parts within a limited build volume due to high computational requirements and storage needs, particularly in efficiently packaging and processing geometrical entities.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating shape profiles for 3D objects with significantly fewer geometrical entities, achieved by partitioning layers into stacked boxes, assembling polygons into superset polygons, and further partitioning these into bounding shapes, which reduces computational load and storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple complex parts are built concurrently within a limited build volume, then productivity is improved, but computational requirements and storage needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments complex 3D parts into multiple layers, which are then partitioned into stacked boxes and further divided into bounding shapes. This hierarchical segmentation reduces the computational complexity of handling entire complex parts, enabling faster processing and packaging operations while maintaining the ability to build multiple parts concurrently within the build volume.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex parts with many geometrical entities are processed, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting complex parts into layers and partitioning them into bounding shapes, the patent reduces the number of geometrical entities that need to be processed. This segmentation maintains manufacturing precision by preserving the essential geometric features through the bounding shape approximation, while significantly reducing processing time through fewer computational entities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of complex geometries using bounding shapes that approximate the original part geometry. These bounding shape representations serve as computational proxies that maintain sufficient accuracy for packaging and processing decisions while requiring far less computational resources than the original complex geometrical entities.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed geometrical entities are used for complex parts, then manufacturing precision is improved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical segmentation of parts into layers and bounding shapes creates a compressed representation that reduces storage requirements. Instead of storing all detailed geometrical entities for complex parts, the system stores simplified bounding shape approximations that capture essential geometric information needed for manufacturing while occupying significantly less storage space.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example, a processing device may slice a 3D model along a first direction to generate a plurality of layers in parallel planes defined across a second direction and a third direction, in which each of the plurality of layers is composed of respective polygons representing portions of the 3D model. The plurality of layers may be partitioned into a plurality of stacked boxes containing the respective polygons and for each stacked box of the plurality of stacked boxes, the polygons in the stacked box may be assembled into a superset polygon and the superset polygon may be partitioned into bounding shapes. A shape profile of the 3D object may be generated using the bounding shapes.