Voxel Structure Assembly for 3D Printing Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional printing is complex and time-consuming, requiring significant time and resources to produce objects with fine detail, making it impractical for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a computer program that generates user instructions for manually assembling a voxel structure, which is then positioned within a 3D printer, allowing for reduced printing time by forming the object around the assembled structure using preformed components and thermoplastic polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional 3D printing is used to produce objects with fine detail, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming additive process
Solution Approach 1:
The object is divided into a voxel structure (internal support framework) and an external shell. The voxel structure consists of discrete volumetric pixels that form a scaffold, allowing the object to be constructed in a more efficient manner than traditional layer-by-layer additive manufacturing, thereby reducing printing time while maintaining fine detail capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The voxel structure is designed and prepared in advance as a pre-computed internal framework. This preliminary structuring allows the 3D printer to follow optimized paths and deposit material more efficiently, rather than building up every layer sequentially from scratch, thus improving productivity without sacrificing manufacturing precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional 3D printing is used to produce objects, then manufacturing capability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to the complex additive process
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the object into a voxel-based internal structure and external material deposition, the manufacturing process becomes more efficient. The voxel structure serves as a reusable template that can be computed once and then used to guide rapid material deposition, reducing overall production time while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of 3D printing by transitioning from traditional layer-by-layer additive manufacturing to a voxel-structure-guided process. This parameter change enables faster production while preserving manufacturing capability, as the voxel structure allows for optimized material placement and reduced printing complexity.
3Productivity
If voxel structure is manually assembled, then productivity is improved by reducing printing time, but device complexity increases due to manual assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The voxel structure is designed to be self-assembling or easily assembled through simple interlocking mechanisms. The modular nature of voxels allows them to snap together or be positioned with minimal tools, reducing the complexity of manual assembly while maintaining the productivity benefits of reduced printing time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the time required to produce 3D objects by minimizing the amount of printing necessary, enabling faster creation of detailed objects with user-configurable durability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The material may be a thermoplastic polymer filament that is heated and extruded through a narrow nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, where the program instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. The method comprises obtaining data describing external surfaces of a three dimensional object to be made using a three dimensional printer; determining, for a given voxel size, a voxel structure having a size and a shape to be subsumed within the external surfaces of the object; outputting user instructions for manually assembling the voxel structure and positioning the voxel structure into the three dimensional printer; and printing material onto the assembled voxel structure to form an object that subsumes the voxel structure. The use of a voxel structure can reduce print time and the amount of print resources required to form an object.