Additive Manufacturing Compensation for Internal and External Dimensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing techniques fail to accurately compensate for deviations in both external and internal dimensions of generated objects, leading to inconsistencies in dimensional accuracy, particularly when objects shrink or grow during the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A geometrical compensation model is developed that applies distinct scaling factors and offset values to object model data to modify external and internal dimensions separately, ensuring accurate compensation for anticipated deviations in both dimensions, thereby improving the precision of additive manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single compensation value is applied to all dimensions, then the manufacturing process is simple, but both external and internal dimensional accuracy cannot be simultaneously improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compensation model into two distinct segments: one for external dimensions and one for internal dimensions. Each segment has its own compensation value calculated based on specific characteristics of that dimension type, allowing independent optimization of compensation for each category rather than using a single unified compensation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different compensation strategies to different parts of the object model data based on their dimensional characteristics. External dimensions receive compensation values calculated from external dimension characteristics, while internal dimensions receive compensation values calculated from internal dimension characteristics, ensuring each region receives appropriate localized compensation.
2Productivity
If additive manufacturing is used to generate objects, then productivity is improved, but dimensional deviations occur during the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates and applies compensation values to the object model data before the additive manufacturing process begins. By pre-compensating the digital model with adjusted dimensions that account for anticipated shrinkage or growth, the final manufactured object achieves the desired dimensional accuracy without requiring post-processing adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates measured dimensional deviations from previous manufacturing runs into the compensation calculation process. By analyzing actual performance data and using it to refine compensation values for subsequent productions, the system continuously improves dimensional accuracy while maintaining the efficiency of additive manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method includes obtaining an indication of a deviation from an expected dimension of at least one dimension of an object generated using an additive manufacturing apparatus. A geometrical compensation model to apply to object model data for generating objects using additive manufacturing to compensate for anticipated deviations in dimensions may be determined from the obtained indication. The geometrical compensation model may comprise a first value to apply to object model data to modify a specification of an external dimension; and a second, different, value to apply to object model data to modify a specification of an internal dimension.