Additive Manufacturing Control via Deformation Difference Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing systems face challenges in generating appropriate processing control information for additive manufacturing, especially when dealing with objects that have undergone deformation due to use, leading to inaccuracies in shaping the target form.

Innovation Solution

The method involves acquiring an object model indicating the three-dimensional shape of the object, generating a deformation model by deforming a reference model based on the object model, creating a difference model showing the target shape after processing, and using this difference model to generate processing control information for additive manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a reference model is used to generate processing control information without considering actual deformation, then the processing process is simple, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because the target shape does not match the actual object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape accuracyVSAvoidprocessing control information generation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by acquiring the actual three-dimensional shape of the object before generating processing control information. The deformation amount calculation unit calculates deformation amounts based on the actual shape and reference model in advance, and the target shape generation unit generates accurate target shapes considering this deformation. This preliminary analysis of the actual object state enables subsequent processing to achieve high shape accuracy without requiring complex real-time adjustments during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary deformation amount calculation unit that bridges the reference model and the actual object. This unit calculates deformation amounts by comparing the actual three-dimensional shape with the reference model, and uses these calculated deformation amounts as intermediate data to generate accurate target shapes. This intermediary step transforms the complex problem of direct reference model-to-actual-object mapping into a manageable two-step process, maintaining reasonable system complexity while achieving high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the actual three-dimensional shape is acquired and deformation is calculated to generate accurate target shapes, then manufacturing precision improves, but the processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget shape accuracyVSAvoidprocessing control information generation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary acquisition of the actual three-dimensional shape and preliminary calculation of deformation amounts before the main processing control information generation. By completing these preparatory steps in advance, the actual processing phase can proceed more efficiently with pre-analyzed deformation data, reducing the time required during the critical manufacturing preparation phase while maintaining high target shape accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If deformation analysis is performed using reference models, then the processing method becomes more sophisticated, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation compensation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the processing system automatically acquires the actual three-dimensional shape, automatically calculates deformation amounts by comparing with the reference model, and automatically generates accurate target shapes. This automation eliminates the need for manual deformation measurement and calculation by operators, making the sophisticated deformation analysis process transparent and easy to operate. The system performs complex analysis independently while presenting a simple operational interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4541489A1Processing control information generation method, processing method, and model generation method
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 NIKON CORP
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AI summary

A processing control information generation method includes: acquiring an object model that indicates a three-dimensional shape of an object; generating a deformation model, which indicates a target shape of the object after a processing, by deforming a reference model of the object based on the object model; generating a difference model that indicates a difference between the deformation model and the object model; and generating, based on the difference model, processing control information for performing an additive manufacturing on the object so that the three-dimensional shape of the object becomes the target shape.