3D Printing Path Generation from Smoothed Surface Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional object printing technologies face challenges in maintaining printing quality while avoiding collisions between the liquid ejection head and the workpiece, especially when the workpiece surface is uneven, as reducing the distance between the head and the workpiece to follow the surface can lead to collisions, while increasing the distance to avoid collisions degrades printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional object printing apparatus and method that involves generating smoothing data by performing smoothing processing on workpiece data to create a printing path, dividing the printing surface into regions, and using a multi-joint robot to scan the liquid ejection head, ensuring a controlled distance and improved printing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the distance between the liquid ejection head and the workpiece is shortened to follow the surface shape, then printing quality is improved, but collision between the head and the workpiece occurs when the surface is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion performs smoothing processing on the workpiece surface data before generating the movement path. This preliminary action modifies the surface representation to remove irregularities that would cause collisions, while preserving the overall surface geometry for high-quality printing. The smoothed data is then used to generate a safe movement path that maintains optimal printing distance without risking head-workpiece collision.
2Reliability
If the distance between the liquid ejection head and the workpiece is increased to avoid collision, then collision risk is reduced, but printing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By performing smoothing processing on the workpiece surface data before path generation, the system creates a simplified surface representation that eliminates protrusions and irregularities. This allows the liquid ejection head to move at a consistent, safe distance from the workpiece surface while still maintaining optimal printing conditions. The smoothed surface data ensures that the head never collides with the workpiece while preserving the geometric accuracy needed for high-quality printing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the liquid ejection head follows the uneven workpiece surface closely, then printing quality is improved, but the complexity of path generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion performs smoothing processing on the workpiece surface data before generating the movement path. This preliminary action simplifies the surface representation by removing irregularities and protrusions, which significantly reduces the complexity of path generation. The smoothed surface data allows for easier computation of movement paths while maintaining the essential geometric features needed for high-quality printing, thus reducing computational complexity without sacrificing printing quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A three-dimensional object printing apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that has a plurality of nozzles ejecting a liquid toward a workpiece, a multi-joint robot that has a tip end portion supporting the liquid ejection head and causes the liquid ejection head to scan with respect to the workpiece, and a control portion that creates a printing path along which the liquid ejection head is scanned, in which the control portion generates smoothing data by performing smoothing processing on workpiece data indicating a shape of a printing surface, which is a surface of the workpiece to be printed, and creates the printing path based on the smoothing data.