Additive Manufacturing Display System for 3D Print Progress Visualization

Solution Overview

Problem

Users find it difficult to understand the progress of processing in three-dimensional shape manufacturing using existing display systems, as they struggle to distinguish completed from incomplete parts in visual or image-based checks.

Innovation Solution

A display system that obtains position data of the processing point and displays a trace of the processing point superimposed over the three-dimensional shape based on design data, allowing users to visualize the progress of additive manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual check or captured image is used to monitor processing, then the user can see the object during processing, but the user cannot understand the progress status of which part has completed or not yet been processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogress status informationVSAvoidease of understanding progress

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy (three-dimensional virtual model) of the physical object and displays it on a screen. This virtual model is updated in real-time to reflect the current processing state, allowing users to view progress without physically observing the object. The virtual model serves as an information copy that can be manipulated and viewed from different angles to understand processing status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional images to a three-dimensional virtual model for displaying processing progress. This dimensional enhancement allows users to visually comprehend the spatial distribution of processed and unprocessed portions throughout the entire object volume, providing intuitive progress information that flat images cannot convey.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If two-dimensional display with percentage is used, then the progress percentage can be shown, but the user cannot understand which specific parts of the three-dimensional shape have completed or not yet been processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogress informationVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting processed parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different visual properties to different regions of the three-dimensional virtual model based on their processing status. Processed portions are displayed with one visual characteristic while unprocessed portions display differently, allowing users to immediately distinguish between completed and pending areas. This local differentiation provides detailed spatial progress information throughout the object.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional images to a three-dimensional virtual model for displaying processing progress. This dimensional enhancement allows users to visually comprehend the spatial distribution of processed and unprocessed portions throughout the entire object volume, providing intuitive progress information that flat images cannot convey.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If the processing point position is tracked and displayed, then the progress can be visualized, but the display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing progress informationVSAvoiddisplay system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy (three-dimensional virtual model) of the physical object and displays it on a screen. This virtual model is updated in real-time to reflect the current processing state, allowing users to view progress without physically observing the object. The virtual model serves as an information copy that can be manipulated and viewed from different angles to understand processing status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11257296B2Display system, additive manufacturing device, and progress display method

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A display system displays the progress of processing in an additive manufacturing device. The additive manufacturing device manufactures an object with a three-dimensional shape by processing of adding material on the basis of CAD data that is design data. The display system includes an obtaining unit to obtain position data that indicates the present position of a processing point where the processing is performed. The display system includes a display unit to display a trace of the processing point superimposed over the three-dimensional shape based on the design data.