3D Object Slice Transformation for Additive Manufacturing Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Additive manufacturing systems often introduce geometrical distortions during the generation of three-dimensional objects, leading to inaccuracies such as edge and surface distortions, which can result in a final product that does not faithfully reproduce the original object model.

Innovation Solution

An object processor that performs a series of transformations on the object model data, taking into account the characteristics of the additive manufacturing system, to generate slice data that compensates for potential distortions and includes modules for geometrical transformations, sacrificial structure generation, and virtual object creation to ensure accurate reproduction of the original object model.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If additive manufacturing systems generate objects layer-by-layer, then three-dimensional objects can be produced conveniently, but geometrical distortions such as edge and surface distortions are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of producing three-dimensional objectsVSAvoidgeometrical accuracy of the generated object
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing geometrical transformations on the digital object model before the additive manufacturing process. The system calculates compensation values for expected distortions and pre-adjusts the model geometry, so that when the object is manufactured layer-by-layer, the final product achieves the desired geometrical accuracy despite the inherent distortions of the additive process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by introducing compensatory geometrical transformations that counteract the anticipated harmful distortions. The system predicts the direction and magnitude of edge and surface distortions, then applies opposite transformations to the digital model to neutralize these effects during manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Manufacturing precision

If the digital representation is processed to compensate for distortions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of reproduced objectVSAvoidcomplexity of object processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between the original digital model and the additive manufacturing system. This object processor applies geometrical transformations through intermediate digital representations, providing a systematic way to compensate for distortions without requiring complex modifications to the base additive manufacturing hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating transformed digital copies of the original object model with pre-compensated geometries. Instead of modifying the physical manufacturing process, the system generates multiple transformed versions of the digital model, each incorporating compensation for specific distortion types, and selects the appropriate transformed copy for manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3094471B1Processing three-dimensional object data of an object to be generated by an additive manufacturing process
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3094471B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3094471B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3094471B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

According to one example, there in provided a system for processing three- dimensional object data representing a three-dimensional object to be generated by an additive manufacturing system. The system comprises a processor to perform a transformation on the three-dimensional object data, and to generate a plurality of slice images from the transformed three dimensional object data.