Additive Manufacturing Output Print Data Generation via Geometric Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In additive manufacturing, achieving desired physical properties in specific regions of a three-dimensional object without controlling the entire print process can negatively impact other objects in the print volume, leading to inefficiencies and impaired printing quality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transforming object model data using geometric transformations based on identified regions and their associated physical properties, generating output print data that isolates the desired properties to specific areas, thereby avoiding the need to control the print process for those properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the print process is controlled to achieve desired physical properties in specific regions, then the physical properties of those regions are improved, but the printing quality and efficiency of other objects in the print volume deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical properties of specific regionsVSAvoidprinting efficiency of other objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the object model data into multiple identified regions, each associated with different desired physical properties. The system processes each region independently through separate geometric transformations, allowing specific physical properties to be achieved in targeted areas without affecting other regions or objects in the print volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different geometric transformation parameters to different identified regions based on their specific desired physical properties. This allows each region to be optimized independently with appropriate transformations (e.g., scaling, rotation, distortion) while leaving other regions unchanged, thus achieving desired properties locally without global process control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the print process is controlled to achieve desired physical properties, then the physical properties are improved, but the overall print process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical propertiesVSAvoidprint process control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary geometric transformations on the object model data before the actual printing process. By pre-processing the digital model with appropriate transformations based on desired physical properties, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time process control during printing, thereby reducing overall process complexity while achieving the desired physical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/process control mechanisms with digital geometric transformations. Instead of controlling physical printing parameters to achieve desired properties, the system uses mathematical transformations on the object model data, substituting a simpler computational approach for a complex physical control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If geometric transformations are applied to achieve desired physical properties in identified regions, then the precision of those properties is improved, but the processing time for the entire object increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical properties in identified regionsVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies geometric transformations only to the extent necessary for each identified region. By performing partial transformations on specific regions rather than the entire object, and by applying only the minimum required transformation parameters to achieve desired physical properties, the system reduces overall processing time while maintaining precision where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11453169B2Generating output print data

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

Certain examples relate to generating output print data representing at least one object. Output print data is generated by performing a geometric transformation on a part of object model data representing the identified region. The object model data represents the at least one object to be printed. The geometric transformation may use a transformation parameter which is determined based at least on the object model data and object property data. The object property data identifies a region of the at least one object and associates it with a selected physical property.