Immersive xR Prototyping With Direct 3D Printing Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional workflows from AR viewing to first physical prototype are cumbersome, requiring users to switch between Head-Mounted Devices (HMDs) and host Information Handling Systems (IHSs, and involve a 3D-to-2D-to-3D experience, which is non-intuitive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a 3D printer with an IHS and HMD allows for an entirely immersive virtual, augmented, or mixed reality interface, enabling users to create and print physical prototypes directly within the AR environment using gestures and fiducial marks for precise tracking, converting XML files to 3D Manufacturing Format (3MF) for printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users switch between HMD and host IHS for prototyping, then the workflow can be completed, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the HMD and 3D printer into a single integrated system, allowing users to perform prototyping operations without switching between separate devices. The HMD serves as both the viewing interface and the control interface, while the 3D printer is directly coupled to receive commands from the HMD, eliminating the need to switch to a host IHS for printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the HMD itself can directly control the 3D printer through integrated processing capabilities. The HMD includes a processor that can execute commands to control the 3D printer without requiring external host IHS intervention, allowing the system to serve itself.
2Productivity
If a 3D-to-2D-to-3D workflow is used, then printing can be achieved, but the process becomes non-intuitive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prototyping workflow into direct 3D operations by maintaining the virtual model in three-dimensional space throughout the entire process. Instead of converting to 2D for printing setup and then back to 3D, the system allows direct manipulation and printing of 3D models within the augmented reality environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by maintaining all operations in 3D space within the augmented reality environment. The virtual model remains in 3D throughout the workflow, and the printing process is controlled through 3D spatial interactions rather than 2D interface manipulations, preserving dimensional consistency.
3Ease of operation
If manual data transfer and traditional monitor interactions are required, then printing can be initiated, but user experience and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interactions (physical data transfer, monitor-based control) with wireless electronic communication and gesture-based control. The HMD communicates with the 3D printer through wireless data transmission, and users control the system through gestures recognized by the HMD's sensors, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and traditional monitor interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMD serves as an intermediary device that bridges between the user and the 3D printer. It captures gestures, processes commands, and transmits control signals to the 3D printer, replacing the traditional host IHS as the intermediary and enabling more direct and intuitive user control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for prototyping a virtual model are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a host processor and a memory coupled to the host processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: produce a virtual object for display by a Head-Mounted Device (HMD) coupled to the IHS during execution of a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality (xR) application; execute a command with respect to the virtual object to produce a manipulated virtual object displayed by the HMD; and transmit an electronic file corresponding to the manipulated virtual object to a three-dimensional (3D) printer coupled to the IHS, where the electronic file enables the 3D printer to build a physical instance of the manipulated virtual object.