3D Model Support Placement for Surface-Sensitive Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In additive manufacturing, the mechanical removal of support structures from 3D printed objects is time-consuming and can cause surface damage or deformation, especially in sensitive areas, requiring manual intervention and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method using a computer algorithm, potentially involving a neural network, to strategically place support structures based on surface geometry and orientation, attributing quality degrees to surface segments to minimize support structures in sensitive areas, thereby reducing mechanical post-processing needs and manual work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support structures are added to ensure proper 3D printing, then the structural integrity during printing is improved, but the surface quality deteriorates due to mechanical removal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating surface segments into sensitive and non-sensitive regions, then selectively placing support structures only in non-sensitive areas. This ensures that support structures provide necessary structural integrity during printing while avoiding placement on surfaces where mechanical removal would cause damage, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and surface quality.
2Productivity
If support structures are mechanically removed, then the printing process is completed, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and identifying suitable support placement locations during the modeling phase, before printing begins. By using algorithms to determine optimal support positions that minimize post-processing needs, the system prepares the structure in advance to reduce or eliminate time-consuming mechanical removal operations, thus resolving the contradiction between completing the printing process and minimizing post-processing time.
3Reliability
If support structures are added for geometric stability, then the printing reliability is improved, but the complexity of post-processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by classifying different regions of the 3D model into sensitive and non-sensitive surface segments, then selectively placing support structures only in non-sensitive areas. This localized approach ensures that support structures provide necessary geometric stability for reliable printing while avoiding placement on surfaces where removal would require complex manual intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between printing reliability and post-processing complexity.
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
This approach reduces the need for mechanical post-processing, minimizes surface damage, and decreases the time and cost associated with support structure removal, while ensuring precise control over support placement.
Implementation Method 1
a step of calculating, based on the defined orientation, the surface geometry and the degree of quality attributed, the positions on the surface segments where the support structure may be added
Implementation Method 2
a 3D object is printed layer-by-layer through light-based curing of a liquid printing medium i.e., a liquid photocurable resin, which is selectively cured under the influence of UV radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of imposing quality requirements on a 3D model (1) including support structures (2) to be built by an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising: a platform (3) for holding the 3D object corresponding to the 3D model (1), the method comprising: a step of defining the surface geometry and the orientation of the 3D model (1) with respect to the platform (3), wherein the surface geometry includes surface segments; characterized by further comprising: a step of attributing a degree of quality (L;H) to the surface segments respectively against post-processing for the subsequent removal of the support structures (2); a step of calculating, based on the defined orientation, the surface geometry and the degree of quality (L;H) attributed, the positions on the surface segments where the support structure (2) may be added; and a step of adding the support structure (2) to the 3D model (1) based on the calculated positions and the degree of quality (L;H) attributed.