Variable Data Printing in 3D Print Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies lack the ability to efficiently incorporate variable data into the production of personalized 3D objects, requiring users to understand complex design files and codes, which is cumbersome and limits customization capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating a variable data design file that allows for the production of personalized 3D objects by receiving fixed and variable structural parameters, generating instructions for 3D printing devices to incorporate variable data regions, and saving these instructions in a format compatible with 3D printing devices, enabling the creation of customized copies with differing variable data regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional 3D printing methods are used without variable data printing capability, then the printing process is simpler, but customization capability is limited and users must understand complex design files and codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that translates simple variable data (text, graphics, images) into the complex 3D printing instructions automatically. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of merging variable data with 3D model structures, allowing users to customize objects without understanding the underlying complex design files or codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic processing of variable data integration, where the software automatically merges variable data regions with 3D model structures, generates appropriate instructions, and prepares print files without requiring user intervention in the complex technical details. The system serves itself by handling the complexity internally while presenting a simple interface to users.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable data printing is implemented in 3D printing, then customization options are enhanced, but the process complexity increases requiring understanding of design files and codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of variable data integration into a separate, automated processing system. Users only need to provide simple variable data (text, graphics, images) while the system extracts and handles all the complex operations of merging this data with 3D model structures, generating instructions, and managing the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary software system is introduced that acts as a bridge between simple user input (variable data) and complex 3D printing requirements. This mediator automatically performs the complex tasks of data integration, instruction generation, and print file preparation, making the process easy to operate while maintaining high customization capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual customization of each 3D object is performed, then each object can be personalized, but the production time and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining variable data regions in 3D models and pre-configuring the integration rules. When production occurs, the system automatically applies variable data to these pre-configured regions, enabling rapid personalization of multiple objects without manual intervention for each item, thus maintaining high productivity while achieving full personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous automated processing where variable data is systematically applied to multiple 3D objects in sequence without stopping or manual intervention. The system continuously generates personalized objects by automatically merging variable data with model structures and sending instructions to the 3D printer, maintaining high production speed while achieving individual customization for each object.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a variable data design file for use in production of personalized copies of a reference 3D object may include receiving a plurality of fixed structural parameters for a reference object and receiving information for creation of a plurality of variable structural parameters corresponding to variable data regions on the reference 3D object. The method may include using the plurality of fixed structural parameters to develop an instruction set configured to cause a 3D printing device to form a 3D object that exhibits the plurality of fixed structural parameters; and including, in the instruction set, instructions for creating the plurality of variable structural parameters based on the received information that will cause the 3D printing device to render at least one of the plurality of variable data regions in the 3D object, wherein the variable data region differs from a corresponding region of the reference 3D object.