Fabrication Quote Generation From 2D Drawings and Print Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fabrication methods, including additive manufacturing, incur high overhead costs due to the need for skilled labor to configure manufacturing settings and orient parts effectively, which affects the number of copies printed and the amount of auxiliary material used.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating a quote for part fabrication that includes receiving a 2D drawing file and descriptive information, extracting features, and automatically generating a quote for cost and time, using a computing device to configure printer settings and optimize part orientation, thereby reducing labor costs and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional fabrication methods using reusable template components are used, then manufacturing precision and durability are improved, but device complexity and overhead costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the reusable template component from the fabrication system, replacing it with a direct digital fabrication approach. The template's shaping function is taken out and replaced by software-controlled deposition processes, eliminating the need for physical molds while maintaining part precision through digital modeling and automated layer-by-layer construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical template-based forming system with a digital control system that uses software algorithms to guide material deposition. The mechanical constraints of physical molds are substituted by computational geometry and automated positioning systems, allowing flexible part design without requiring complex physical tooling.
2Ease of manufacture
If additive manufacturing is used to eliminate template components, then overhead costs are reduced, but device complexity increases due to need for skilled labor to configure settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically extracting geometric features from 2D drawings, determining optimal part orientations, calculating support material requirements, and configuring printing parameters without human intervention. The software autonomously completes tasks that previously required skilled operators, including setting layer heights, infill patterns, and print speeds based on part geometry and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual configuration processes with automated software systems that use algorithms to determine optimal manufacturing parameters. Instead of skilled workers manually adjusting settings, the system uses computational methods to automatically configure printer settings, part orientation, and support structures based on digital model analysis.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of part orientation is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming setup
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically determining optimal part orientation and configuring all manufacturing parameters before fabrication begins. The software analyzes the 2D drawing, calculates the best printing orientation to minimize support material and maximize part quality, and pre-configures all printer settings, eliminating time-consuming manual setup during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation determination process is automated through software that self-services the configuration task. The system independently analyzes part geometry, evaluates multiple orientation options, and selects the optimal orientation without human input, maintaining precision while dramatically reducing setup time and increasing production throughput.
4Productivity
If multiple part copies are printed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision decreases due to increased complexity in orientation and support material management
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by treating each part instance in a batch as an independent unit with its own optimized orientation and support structure calculations. The software divides the build plate into discrete part zones, allowing each copy to be positioned optimally without interfering with others, maintaining consistent quality across all parts while maximizing batch production efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process, the design request including a two-dimensional drawing file representing the part to be fabricated and descriptive information including a descriptive datum. The method includes extracting a first feature from the 2D drawing file, wherein the first feature represents a geometry of the part to be fabricated. The method includes extracting a second feature from the descriptive information, wherein the second feature represents the descriptive datum. The method includes generating, as a function of the first and second features, a quote for fabrication for the part to be fabricated, the quote for fabrication including a cost and time to fabricate the part to be fabricated and sending the quote for fabrication to the customer.