Voxel Property Assignment in Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Additive manufacturing techniques face challenges in accurately associating object properties with voxel locations in three-dimensional object models, leading to inconsistencies in the quality, appearance, and functionality of printed objects due to variations in build material and solidification mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a processor to acquire and process object model data, associating object properties with locations in a voxel-by-voxel basis using a computer-implemented method that inspects slices of the object model from multiple perspectives, determines object property data, and applies these properties to generate precise layers of build material through directional energy application or print agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If object properties are associated with voxel locations using conventional additive manufacturing methods, then manufacturing capability is achieved, but property assignment accuracy deteriorates leading to inconsistencies in quality and appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the object model into discrete voxels and processes each voxel independently. By dividing the continuous 3D space into discrete volumetric pixels, the system can assign properties to each voxel location with precision, ensuring accurate property assignment while maintaining consistency across the entire printed object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables different properties to be assigned to different voxel locations within the same object. This allows local variation in material properties, strength, density, or other characteristics at specific voxel positions, achieving high manufacturing precision for property assignment while maintaining overall reliability through controlled local customization.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to assign properties to voxel locations, then processing speed is maintained, but property assignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs property assignment calculations and voxel processing in advance during the data preparation phase. By pre-processing the object model data and assigning properties to all voxels before actual manufacturing, the system achieves high property assignment accuracy without slowing down the actual production process, thereby maintaining productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If simple property assignment methods are used, then processing complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of property assignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual property assignment methods with automated computational processing. By using computer-based algorithms to automatically assign properties to voxels based on digital models and specifications, the system achieves high manufacturing precision for property assignment while actually reducing operational complexity through automation rather than increasing it.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method includes acquiring, at a processor, a data model of an object to be generated in additive manufacturing, the data model comprising object model data representing a slice of the object model as a plurality of polygons and object property data comprising property data associated with the plurality of polygons. The slice may be inspected from a predetermined perspective at a plurality of discrete locations. It may be determined if each location is within a face of a polygon, and if so, the object property data associated with that polygon may be identified and associated with that location. The slice may further be inspected at a plurality of discrete locations along an edge of a polygon, the object property data associated with each location may be identified and associated with that location.