Agent-Based 3D Slicing for Support-Free Complex Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slicers for 3D printers are limited in handling geometries with overhangs, requiring support structures, and are restricted to horizontal slicing, which limits their utility with non-standard 3D printers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a group of agents to traverse the surface of a 3D object model, generating slices that follow the contour of the object, allowing for the fabrication of complex geometries without support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional horizontal slicing is used, then the slicing process is simple and compatible with typical 3D printers, but geometries with overhangs cannot be fabricated without support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional horizontal slicing to vertical slicing along the Z-axis. By deploying agents that traverse the surface of the 3D model and generate vertical slices, the system can fabricate overhanging geometries without support structures, as material is deposited layer-by-layer from bottom to top rather than horizontally layer-by-layer
2Adaptability or versatility
If vertical slicing with surface-traversing agents is used, then complex geometries can be fabricated without support structures, but the slicing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs autonomous agents that self-organize and traverse the surface of the 3D model automatically. These agents independently navigate the surface geometry, generate appropriate vertical slices, and deposit material without requiring complex external control systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling fabrication of complex geometries
Data Source
AI summary
An agent engine allocates a collection of agents to scan the surface of an object model. Each agent operates autonomously and implements particular behaviors based on the actions of nearby agents. Accordingly, the collection of agents exhibits swarm-like behavior. Over a sequence of time steps, the agents traverse the surface of the object model. Each agent acts to avoid other agents, thereby maintaining a relatively consistent distribution of agents across the surface of the object model over all time steps. At a given time step, the agent engine generates a slice through the object model that intersects each agent in a group of agents. The slice associated with a given time step represents a set of locations where material should be deposited to fabricate a 3D object. Based on a set of such slices, a robot engine causes a robot to fabricate the 3D object.