Additive Manufacturing Work File Compression for Layer-Wise Vector Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for compressing working files in additive laser powder bed manufacturing processes are inefficient, leading to large file sizes and high storage and transfer costs, and do not allow easy access to individual layers or preserve the direct assignment of measurement data to exposure vectors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving delta coding of exposure vectors based on their starting points and distances, combined with layer-by-layer compression and vector grouping, to reduce file size while maintaining layer access and measurement data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard compression methods (e.g., zip Store format) are used for working files, then implementation is simple, but compression rate is insufficient and file sizes remain large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms coordinate values from absolute representation to relative delta encoding, changing the data representation parameter. This allows consecutive vectors with small positional changes to be encoded using smaller integer values, significantly improving compression effectiveness while maintaining implementation feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different encoding strategies to different data characteristics: delta encoding for positional coordinates, run-length encoding for repeated patterns, and selective precision reduction for less critical measurements. This localized optimization achieves high compression without overly complicating the overall system
2Reliability
If entire job files are extracted and decompressed for layer visualization, then complete data access is achieved, but processing time is excessive and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compressed job file into layer-specific segments or blocks, allowing random access to individual layers without decompressing the entire file. This segmentation enables selective decompression of only the required layer data, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining complete access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs compression and organizational structuring in advance during file creation, pre-positioning data in a format that enables efficient random access. This preliminary organization allows subsequent layer visualization to proceed quickly without requiring full file decompression
3Quantity of substance
If measurement data is aggregated region by region for compression, then data volume is reduced, but direct assignment of measurement points to exposure vectors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing system that maintains the mapping relationship between measurement points and exposure vectors. Instead of directly storing assignments for all points, an index structure enables efficient lookup and recovery of assignment information, reducing data volume while preserving the critical mapping information
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for compressing at least one work file (16) for producing a product (12) for an additive manufacturing device (10) by means of an electronic computing device (14), comprising the steps of: providing the work file (16) with at least two predetermined exposure vectors (18, 20, 22, 24) with respective starting points (26) and end points (28) by means of the electronic computing device (14); determining the distances (30) of starting and end points (26, 28) between a first exposure vector (18) and at least one second exposure vector (20) of the work file (16) by means of the electronic computing device (14); and compressing the working file (16) by storing the at least second exposure vector (20) as a function of the starting point (26) and the end point (28) of the first exposure vector (18) and the distance (30) between the first exposure vector (18) and the at least second exposure vector (20).Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium and an electronic computing device (14).