Online Customized Production Using 3D-Printed Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mass production systems face inefficiencies due to the need for offline customization of standardized components, requiring removal and re-insertion of products, which increases time and cost.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a customized production portion within the mass production system, allowing for the selection and coupling of customized components with standardized components using 3D printing, along with associated descriptors, without removing products from the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If offline customization is performed by removing products from the mass production system, then customized components can be produced, but production time increases and continuous production flow is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing customization data and preparing customized component designs before the actual production need arises. The offline customization work is completed in advance, allowing components to be ready for immediate integration without disrupting the mass production flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A data intermediary system is introduced that decouples the customization process from the physical production process. Customization data is processed and stored separately, then automatically integrated with standardized components through digital interfaces, eliminating the need to physically remove products from the assembly line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If products are removed from the mass production system for customization, then customized components can be integrated, but re-insertion time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent customizationVSAvoidremoval and re-insertion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically removing and re-inserting components with a digital data integration system. Customization information is transmitted electronically and automatically integrated with standardized component data, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical removal and re-insertion operations entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate mass production systems are used for different parts, then each product can be produced, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct varietyVSAvoidnumber of production systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements universality by creating a single standardized component framework that can accommodate multiple customized variations. The standardized components serve as universal bases that can be adapted to produce different final products through digital customization data, eliminating the need for separate production systems for each product variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The production system is segmented into independent standardized components that can be universally produced in one system, while customization is achieved through separate data layers. This segmentation allows the physical production to remain simple and standardized while the digital customization layer provides product variety without requiring additional physical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables on-line customization of standardized components within the mass production system, reducing time and cost inefficiencies by maintaining continuous production flow and enabling dynamic selection and printing of customized parts and descriptors.

Implementation Method 1

the customized parts can be produced using 3D printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentUS11454951B2Customized production

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

An example system includes a standardized production portion to provide a set of standardized components and a customized production portion to provide a set of customized components. Each standardized component of the set of standardized components is substantially identical to one another, and each customized component of the set of customized components is selected from at least two different custom options. Each customized component includes at least a first portion of a customized part and an associated descriptor. Each customized component is physically coupled to a standardized component.