3D-Printed Tyre Mould Surface Structure to Mask Step Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D printing of tire mold segments results in visible step effects and surface defects due to translation errors, requiring costly and time-consuming post-processing to achieve high-resolution, durable surfaces, which is impractical for large, complex free-form surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a 3D printing device that selects and arranges structural elements on the surface to conceal step effects by calculating control data for printing, allowing the surface structure to be optimized based on the geometry and orientation, reducing the visibility of printing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 3D printing is used to produce tire mold segments, then complex geometries and free-form surfaces can be realized, but visible step effects and surface defects occur due to translation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning compensation values in the digital model before printing. The system determines the orientation of each printed layer and pre-adjusts the geometry to compensate for expected translation errors, so that the compensations are already integrated into the printed object rather than requiring post-processing corrections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by dynamically adjusting geometric parameters based on layer orientation and printing direction. The system modifies vertex coordinates and surface geometry parameters according to the calculated translation errors for each specific layer orientation, allowing the model to adapt its parameters to minimize visible step effects in different viewing directions
2Manufacturing precision
If post-processing is performed to remove step effects, then surface quality improves, but production time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for post-processing by performing the compensation action preliminarily during the digital modeling and printing preparation phase. The geometric compensations are calculated and integrated before printing, so no additional time-consuming post-processing steps are required to remove step effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by making the 3D printing process self-correcting through automatic compensation calculations. The digital model automatically adjusts its geometry based on predicted translation errors, enabling the printing process to produce high-quality surfaces without external post-processing intervention
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
Significantly reduces the need for post-processing, enabling the production of tire molds with high-quality, complex geometries and free-form surfaces without visible step effects, resulting in a uniform appearance and reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a 3D printing device (40) that prints a tire mold element (R)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tyre mould element (R) for use in a tyre mould and a method, a computer program having instructions and a device for producing such a tyre mould element (R) using a 3D printing device. The invention also relates to a tyre mould having such a tyre mould element (R) and a tyre produced using the tyre mould element (R). A tyre mould element (R) according to the invention has a structure made up of two-dimensional layers. At least one surface of the tyre mould element (R) has a structure (2) having a plurality of structure elements (6) by means of which step effects caused by the structure of two-dimensional layers are masked.