Virtual Build Bed Partitioning for Multi-User AM Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing systems have limited efficiency and throughput as they typically require a single build cycle for a single user, leading to underutilization of the build bed volume and inflexible allocation of resources.
Innovation Solution
The system partitions a single build bed into multiple virtual build beds, allowing multiple users to utilize the space simultaneously by assigning temporary ownership and scheduling jobs across users, enhancing efficiency and throughput through real-time load-balancing and flexible resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single build bed is allocated to a single user for a build cycle, then user exclusivity and simplicity of resource allocation are maintained, but build bed utilization efficiency and manufacturing throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The build bed is segmented into multiple virtual build beds that can be independently allocated to different users. Each virtual build bed represents a partitioned portion of the physical build bed space, allowing simultaneous allocation to multiple users while maintaining simple individual access interfaces. This segmentation enables multi-user utilization without requiring multiple physical build beds.
2Productivity
If the build bed volume is allocated to multiple users simultaneously, then utilization efficiency increases, but resource allocation management and job scheduling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A controller acts as an intermediary between multiple users and the build bed system. The controller manages virtual build bed allocation, job scheduling, and coordinate generation without requiring direct user interaction with the physical build bed. Users interact with the controller through standard interfaces to allocate and manage their virtual build beds, simplifying resource allocation management while enabling efficient multi-user utilization.
3Productivity
If virtual build beds are introduced to enable multi-user access, then build bed utilization and throughput are enhanced, but system complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual build beds are created as software copies or representations of the physical build bed space. Each virtual build bed is a digital model that mirrors the physical space properties and constraints, allowing the system to manage multiple user allocations through software without requiring additional physical hardware. This copying approach enables throughput enhancement while keeping system control complexity manageable through software-based virtualization.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus partition a AM build bed of a AM unit into a first virtual build bed and a second virtual build bed. The first virtual build bed is assigned to a first user while the second virtual build bed assigned to a second user. A first digital file for a first object to be generated in the first virtual build bed is received from the first user. A second digital file for a second object to be generated in the second virtual build bed is receive from the second user. Output signals are transmitted to the AM unit to generate the first object in the first virtual build bed and the second object in the second virtual build bed during a build cycle.