Temporary Part Identification for Additive Manufacturing Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying and distinguishing mass-produced parts based on their appearance, such as geometry and color, is challenging, especially when parts are similar, due to difficulties in applying labels without affecting the cosmetic appearance or functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving temporary, color-contrasting identifiers printed using additive manufacturing, which are visible during post-production but obscured before the parts leave the manufacturing facility, allowing for efficient sorting and tracking within the facility without altering the part's geometry or material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If parts are identified based on their appearance (geometry and color), then identification may be achieved, but it becomes challenging when parts are very similar to one another
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporary identifiers as intermediary elements that are applied to parts during manufacturing. These identifiers serve as mediators between the similar-looking parts and the detection systems, enabling reliable identification without requiring direct visual differentiation of the parts themselves. The identifiers act as a bridge that translates part information into detectable signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color-contrasting identifiers that differ in color from both the part and the build plate. This color differentiation enables detection systems to easily distinguish the identifiers from the background and from each other, solving the problem of identifying similar parts through appearance-based detection.
2Ease of operation
If labels are applied to parts for identification, then part tracking becomes easier, but the label application may affect the cosmetic appearance or functionality of the part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temporary identifiers that are discarded after serving their identification purpose. These identifiers are applied during manufacturing, used for tracking and detection, and then removed or covered before the part leaves the facility. This disposable approach allows for easy part tracking without permanent modifications that would affect cosmetic appearance or functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The identifiers are applied preliminarily during the manufacturing process, specifically on the build plate before parts are removed. This timing allows for identification and sorting operations to be performed while parts are still in the manufacturing facility, and the identifiers can be removed or covered before final product delivery, thus preserving cosmetic quality.
3Productivity
If identifiers are made visible during post-production, then sorting and tracking can be performed, but the identifiers must be covered before parts leave the facility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic visibility pattern for identifiers: they are visible during manufacturing and sorting operations, then covered or removed before product delivery. This periodic visibility manages the complexity by having identifiers serve their function only when needed, and being hidden when not required, thus maintaining productivity while controlling the complexity of identifier management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed in which an identifier is to be printed on a surface of a part to be additive manufactured. The identifier is utilized during post-processing of the part at the manufacturing facility, then the identifier is modified so as to no longer be visible before leaving the facility.