Additive Manufacturing File Compression Using Reusable Region Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and size of components in additive manufacturing result in large files for controlling production, which consume significant storage space and take a long time to transfer.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that reduces the volume of data in files for additive manufacturing by storing vectors characterizing the outline of manufacturing regions and algorithms for calculating manufacturing coordinates, allowing for the repetition of identical regions without storing all coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If detailed manufacturing coordinates for all regions are stored in the file, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but file volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing file is segmented into two types of information: (1) detailed manufacturing coordinates for unique regions, and (2) reference identifiers pointing to previously defined regions for identical areas. This segmentation allows the file to store only necessary detailed data while using references for repetitive content, thereby reducing overall file volume while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying actual manufacturing coordinate data for identical regions, the patent uses reference identifiers that point to the original definition of those regions. The system copies the reference rather than the data itself, allowing the manufacturing system to retrieve the actual coordinates from the referenced region definition, thus avoiding redundant data storage while preserving manufacturing accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If complete manufacturing data for all regions is stored, then manufacturing accuracy is ensured, but data transfer time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing data is segmented into compact reference identifiers and detailed coordinate information. Only the compact references need to be transferred in the main file, while detailed coordinates are retrieved on-demand from the referenced region definitions, significantly reducing initial data transfer time while ensuring manufacturing accuracy through complete data availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of manufacturing data into reusable region definitions with associated identifiers before generation of the main manufacturing file. This preliminary action allows the system to reference pre-processed, optimized data structures rather than transferring raw coordinate data, reducing transfer time while maintaining complete manufacturing information availability.
3Quantity of substance
If storage space is reduced through data compression, then file size decreases, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage into two simple components: compact reference identifiers in the main file and detailed region definitions in a library. This segmentation achieves compression without adding processing complexity because the system only needs to perform simple reference lookup operations rather than complex decompression algorithms, maintaining data processing simplicity while reducing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces region identifiers as intermediaries between the manufacturing file and detailed coordinate data. These identifiers act as mediators that link the compact file to the full manufacturing information without requiring complex processing. The intermediary approach simplifies the compression strategy by using direct reference pointers rather than sophisticated compression algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for reducing a volume of data in a file for controlling additive manufacturing of a component by guiding a tool along manufacturing coordinates includes identifying a first region to be manufactured, and (I) identifying a filling of the first region, calculating a vector characterizing an outline of the first region, storing the vector in the file, and storing an algorithm for calculating the manufacturing coordinates or information relating to the algorithm in the file, so that the vector and the algorithm form manufacturing parameters, and/or (II) storing the manufacturing coordinates or the manufacturing parameters of the first region in the file, identifying a second region to be manufactured offset from the first region and identically to the first region, and storing a position of the second region and information indicating that the second region is to be manufactured identically to the first region in the file.