Object Model Slicing With Property Mapping for 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Additive manufacturing techniques face challenges in accurately translating three-dimensional object models into solidified layers, particularly in maintaining object properties and features across infinitesimal planes, which can result in incorrect voxel properties and unintended object appearances.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a processor to receive object model data, generate slice representations using polygon meshes, and map object properties to these slices, ensuring that properties are interpolated and preserved across re-meshing processes, allowing for efficient control data generation for additive manufacturing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If additive manufacturing systems translate three-dimensional object models into solidified layers using conventional slicing methods, then the manufacturing process can be executed, but object properties and features are not accurately maintained across infinitesimal planes resulting in incorrect voxel properties and unintended object appearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional object model into infinitesimal planes or slices, each representing a thin layer of the object. By dividing the continuous 3D model into discrete planar segments, the system can process and maintain object properties at each slice level, preventing information loss during the translation to solidified layers. This segmentation allows for precise control of voxel properties across the entire object volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary interpolation of object properties across the infinitesimal planes before the actual solidification process. By pre-calculating and assigning accurate voxel properties to each slice in advance, the system ensures that when layers are solidified, the object properties and features are already correctly established, avoiding information loss during manufacturing.
2Productivity
If conventional slicing methods are used to generate layers for additive manufacturing, then the process can proceed, but the quality and appearance of manufactured objects deteriorate due to incorrect voxel properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical slicing approaches with a computational field-based method. Instead of using traditional geometric intersection algorithms that lose property information, the system uses field interpolation techniques to continuously distribute object properties across infinitesimal planes. This substitution maintains both manufacturing efficiency and object quality by avoiding the information loss inherent in conventional discrete slicing methods.
3Loss of time
If object properties are not interpolated across re-meshing processes, then processing speed is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in unintended object appearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous interpolation of object properties throughout the entire re-meshing and slicing process. Rather than performing discrete, time-consuming property calculations at each mesh transition point, the system establishes continuous property fields that automatically maintain accuracy across all infinitesimal planes. This continuous approach preserves manufacturing precision without significantly increasing processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method includes receiving, at a processor, a data comprising a model of an object to be generated in additive manufacturing. The data comprises object model data representing an object model as a plurality of initial polygons and object property data associated with the initial polygons. The method may comprise generating a representation of a slice of the object model defined between two planes and generating a plurality of polygons to represent the slice of the object model. A mapping between the object property data and the generated plurality of polygons may also be generated.