Voxel Model Surface Offset Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sparsely populated voxel models in 3D printing are disadvantageous for surface offsetting, as they lack distance values for voxels further from the object surface, hindering efficient processing and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method to create a second voxel model by iteratively calculating and storing approximated distance attributes for voxels in a sparsely populated model, allowing for efficient reconstruction of missing information and enabling accurate surface offsetting, with a runtime complexity of O(n) for large voxel models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a sparsely populated voxel model is used to store only distance values of voxels near the surface, then storage efficiency and compression rate are improved, but the ability to perform surface offsetting is worsened due to missing distance values for voxels further from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing distance values for all voxels in a dense voxel model before creating the sparse representation. This allows the sparse model to later retrieve accurate distance information for offsetting operations without needing to store all distance values permanently, thus maintaining both storage efficiency and offsetting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a sparse voxel model that copies only the essential distance information from a dense reference model. The sparse model maintains a subset of distance values for voxels near the surface while using a systematic approach to reconstruct or retrieve distance values for voxels further from the surface during offsetting operations.
2Measurement precision
If distance values are stored for all voxels in a dense voxel model, then surface offsetting accuracy is improved, but memory consumption and processing speed are worsened due to unnecessary data for voxels far from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the voxel model into two conceptual parts: a sparse storage structure that holds distance values only for voxels near the surface, and a systematic reconstruction mechanism that generates distance values for voxels further from the surface on-demand during offsetting operations. This segmentation allows accurate offsetting without storing all distance values in memory simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-computing distance values for the sparse voxel model during an initial processing phase, then utilizing these pre-computed values during subsequent offsetting operations. This allows the system to maintain high accuracy without the memory overhead of storing complete distance maps for all voxels.
3Quantity of substance
If a sparse voxel model is used to reduce data storage, then memory optimization is improved, but the computational time for surface offsetting is worsened due to missing distance information that must be reconstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing distance value computation during an initial preprocessing phase rather than during the offsetting operation itself. The system pre-calculates and stores distance values for voxels near the surface in the sparse model, then uses these pre-computed values during offsetting to minimize real-time computational requirements while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses self-service by implementing a systematic reconstruction method that automatically generates distance values for voxels further from the surface based on the sparse stored values and the geometric relationships within the model. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external intervention or complex manual reconstruction processes, maintaining computational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for creating a second voxel model (VM2) from a first voxel model (VM) to generate a surface offset for an object represented by the first voxel model.