Object Recognition System for High-Resolution 3D Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printer configurations rely on accessory scanners that generate low-resolution 3D digital models, resulting in low-quality printed copies and a costly, time-consuming process for obtaining high-quality replicas.
Innovation Solution
An object recognition system that scans an object, identifies its features, and retrieves a high-resolution 3D digital model from a database for printing, allowing for improved quality and efficiency by using a server to match scanned data with stored models and send the high-resolution model to a 3D printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If accessory scanners are used to scan objects for 3D printing, then the scanning process is simple and accessible, but the resolution of the generated 3D digital model is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an object recognition system as an intermediary between the accessory scanner and the 3D printing process. The scanner first captures a low-resolution model, then the object recognition system identifies the object and retrieves a high-resolution model from a database, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between simple scanning and high-quality output
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing high-resolution 3D digital models in a database before the actual 3D printing process. When an object is scanned, the system recognizes it and retrieves the pre-prepared high-resolution model, avoiding the need to perform complex high-resolution scanning at the moment of printing
2Productivity
If low-resolution 3D digital models are used for printing, then the scanning process is fast and simple, but the quality of the printed copy is poor with substantial errors
Solution Approach 1:
The object recognition system acts as an intermediary that receives the quickly generated low-resolution model, identifies the object, and retrieves the corresponding high-resolution model from the database, thereby maintaining fast scanning speed while achieving high printing quality through the mediating retrieval process
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating a high-resolution model through slow and complex scanning, the system makes a copy of the pre-existing high-resolution model from the database. This copying approach maintains productivity by using the fast scanner while achieving manufacturing precision through the use of the copied high-resolution data
3Manufacturing precision
If high-quality 3D printed copies are obtained through traditional scanning methods, then the printed quality is high, but the process is very difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-acquiring and storing high-resolution 3D digital models in a database before the actual 3D printing need arises. This advance preparation eliminates the complexity of performing difficult high-resolution scanning at the moment of printing, as the high-quality models are already available for retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The object recognition system serves as a simplified intermediary that replaces complex high-resolution scanning equipment. Instead of using difficult and expensive scanning systems, the patent uses a simple recognition system that queries a database, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision with reduced device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of high-quality 3D printed replicas with reduced scanning time and effort, as only enough information is needed for object recognition, bypassing the limitations of low-resolution scanning.
Implementation Method 1
the image capture device captures images of the object as light from the emitters is reflected from the object and to the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A process and system scan an object to generate a first 3D digital model of the object. Further, the process and system send data corresponding to the first 3D digital model to a server that is in communication with a database of high quality 3D digital models of a plurality of objects. In addition, the process and system receive a second 3D digital model of the object from the server based upon a matching of the first 3D digital model and the second 3D digital model, the second 3D digital model having a higher resolution of the object than the first 3D digital model. The process and system also print a 3D replica of the object based upon the second 3D digital model.