Additive Manufacturing Integrity Verification Artifact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Additive manufacturing processes face challenges in verifying the integrity of manufactured parts, particularly due to the risk of parts being manufactured out of specification due to accidental or malicious causes, which can lead to material losses, machine failure, or damage, especially in mission-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented process that generates additive manufacturing control code including code for an integrity verification artifact, which is manufactured alongside the part, allowing for secure transmission and validation without requiring extensive destructive or non-destructive inspection of the part itself, ensuring the part meets specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive destructive or non-destructive inspection of the part is performed to verify integrity, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the verification system into two segments: the main part and a separate integrity verification artifact. The artifact contains embedded verification data (such as digital signatures, material composition information, or process parameters) that can be tested independently to confirm the authenticity and integrity of the entire part without inspecting the part itself extensively.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrity verification artifact serves as a copy or representation of critical verification information from the main part. Instead of inspecting the entire part, the system inspects this smaller copy (the artifact) which contains the essential verification data, thereby reducing inspection time while maintaining verification accuracy.
2Reliability
If traditional inspection methods are used to ensure part quality, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification functionality from the main part and places it into a separate integrity verification artifact. This extraction simplifies the inspection system because the verifier only needs to examine the small artifact rather than developing complex inspection systems to analyze the entire part, especially for mission-critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrity verification artifact acts as an intermediary between the manufacturing process and the verification process. It carries verification information that mediates the trust relationship, allowing the verification system to confirm part integrity through the artifact without requiring complex direct inspection of the main part.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing control code is modified or tampered with, then adaptability and ease of manufacture are improved, but reliability and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding verification information into the integrity verification artifact during the manufacturing process itself, before the part leaves the manufacturing system. This preliminary embedding of verification data ensures that any subsequent modifications to the control code or part design are detectable, maintaining reliability while allowing manufacturing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrity verification artifact provides feedback information about the manufacturing process and part integrity. By comparing the verification data in the artifact against expected values, the system can detect unauthorized modifications to control code or manufacturing parameters, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented process is disclosed for securely transmitting a three-dimensional part file, e.g., to a parts manufacturer or storage location. A method is also provided for creating a three-dimensional part capable of integrity validation is provided. Also, a method is provided, for validating the integrity of a three-dimensional part in an additive manufacturing. Yet further, a method is provided for qualifying a part created by additive manufacturing. Moreover, systems are provided for carrying out one or more of the above.