Virtual Mask Printing for Selective Area Control on Complex Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing systems lack the ability to efficiently print designs on complex surfaces with varying areas, such as textiles, where certain regions need to be excluded from printing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sensor system and computing system that classify areas of an article as either print areas or no-print areas, using a virtual mask to guide the printing process, ensuring that print material is only discharged on designated areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a virtual mask is implemented to exclude certain areas from printing, then manufacturing precision is improved by preventing unwanted printing on excluded areas, but device complexity increases due to the addition of sensor systems and computing systems for classification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual mask as a digital copy or representation of the article's surface geometry. This virtual mask is generated from sensor data and used to guide the printing process by indicating which areas should be excluded from printing. The virtual mask approach avoids the need for complex physical masking mechanisms while achieving the same functional result of preventing print material deposition on excluded areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical masking systems with a computational approach. Instead of using physical masks or mechanical barriers to prevent printing on certain areas, the system uses sensor data processing, virtual mask generation, and computational control of the printing system to achieve the same effect. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving precision through software-based control.
2Manufacturing precision
If sensor systems and computing systems are added to classify print areas, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of energy increases due to additional computational processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary scanning and classification of the article surface before the actual printing process. The sensor system captures geometric data and the computing system generates the virtual mask in advance, allowing the printing system to operate efficiently with pre-determined print and non-print areas. This preliminary action prevents energy-wasting attempts to print on excluded areas and optimizes the subsequent printing process.
3Productivity
If printing is performed on complex surfaces with varying areas, then productivity is improved by enabling versatile printing capabilities, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling print material distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the virtual mask technique to enable local quality control on complex surfaces. By generating a virtual mask that accounts for the specific geometry and varying areas of the article, the system can precisely control which local regions receive print material and which are excluded. This allows the printing system to adapt to complex surface geometries while maintaining precise control over print material distribution in different local areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.