Patent classifications
G05B19/4099
Scanning print bed and part height in 3D printing
In in-process inspection or calibration of a print bed or 3D printed part with a 3D printer, toolpaths defining printing material shells for deposition by a 3D printer are compared to surface profile scans from a range scanner to identify differences between the print bed, instructed deposition and the measured result, permitting pausing or alteration of the toolpaths or printing process.
Multi-stage incremental sheet forming systems and methods
A multi-stage incremental sheet forming system includes a forming tool, and at least one control unit in communication with the forming tool. The at least one control unit is configured to determine a convex hull of a target structure to be formed by the forming tool. The at least one control unit is further configured to operate the forming tool according to a first tool path in relation to an initial structure to form an intermediate structure having a shape based on the convex hull of the target structure. The at least one control unit is further configured to operate the forming tool according to a second tool path in relation to the intermediate structure to form one or more inward features into the intermediate structure to form the target structure.
Systems and methods for controlling additive manufacturing
A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include an additive manufacturing machine, a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to determine a plurality of tension vectors to be generated within the structure, and to generate a plan for manufacturing the structure. The plan may include tool paths that arrange continuous fibers within the structure to generate the plurality of tension vectors. The processor may also be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the additive manufacturing machine to follow the plan and manufacture the structure.
GRAPHICAL ELEMENT SURFACE DISPLACEMENTS BASED ON DISTANCE FUNCTIONS
Systems and methods are described herein to determine positive or negative displacement distances for each pixel of an image of a graphical element. A displacement subsystem may determine surface displacement distances based on a function of a distance of each pixel to a nearest edge pixel of the image of the graphical element. A mapping subsystem may generate a surface displacement map of the graphical element to be applied to a surface of a three-dimensional object. The surface displacement map may be used to generate a mesh file and/or transmitted to a three-dimensional printing for printing on a surface of an object.
GRAPHICAL ELEMENT SURFACE DISPLACEMENTS BASED ON DISTANCE FUNCTIONS
Systems and methods are described herein to determine positive or negative displacement distances for each pixel of an image of a graphical element. A displacement subsystem may determine surface displacement distances based on a function of a distance of each pixel to a nearest edge pixel of the image of the graphical element. A mapping subsystem may generate a surface displacement map of the graphical element to be applied to a surface of a three-dimensional object. The surface displacement map may be used to generate a mesh file and/or transmitted to a three-dimensional printing for printing on a surface of an object.
GEOMETRIC COMPENSATIONS
An example method includes obtaining a geometric compensation profile characterising a relationship between a location of an object within a first fabrication volume having a first depth of build material and a geometrical compensation to be applied to a model of said object. The method further includes determining that a first object is to be generated in a first build operation having a second fabrication volume which has a second depth. The method may further include determining a geometrical compensation to be applied to a model of the first object by: determining a first offset of the first object from the top of the second fabrication volume; identifying the geometrical compensation value associated with a location having the first offset from the top of the first fabrication volume; and determining the compensation to be applied to the model of the first object based on the identified geometrical compensation value.
GEOMETRIC COMPENSATIONS
An example method includes obtaining a geometric compensation profile characterising a relationship between a location of an object within a first fabrication volume having a first depth of build material and a geometrical compensation to be applied to a model of said object. The method further includes determining that a first object is to be generated in a first build operation having a second fabrication volume which has a second depth. The method may further include determining a geometrical compensation to be applied to a model of the first object by: determining a first offset of the first object from the top of the second fabrication volume; identifying the geometrical compensation value associated with a location having the first offset from the top of the first fabrication volume; and determining the compensation to be applied to the model of the first object based on the identified geometrical compensation value.
IDENTIFYING AND PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT USING DIGITAL TWINS
A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for identifying and providing alternative equipment. A digital representation of an equipment used for a user-designated purpose from a digital twin library is identified and selected by a user as corresponding to equipment requiring an alternative. Physical and functional properties of the equipment are then identified from a record of the identified digital representation in the digital twin library. Furthermore, other digital representations of corresponding candidates from the digital twin library are identified to provide an alternative to the equipment based on the user-designated purpose. A three-dimensional printing of one or more of these candidates, including modifications to the physical and/or functional properties of the candidates to function similar to the equipment that needs an alternative, is then performed and provided to the user as alternatives to the equipment.
IDENTIFYING AND PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT USING DIGITAL TWINS
A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for identifying and providing alternative equipment. A digital representation of an equipment used for a user-designated purpose from a digital twin library is identified and selected by a user as corresponding to equipment requiring an alternative. Physical and functional properties of the equipment are then identified from a record of the identified digital representation in the digital twin library. Furthermore, other digital representations of corresponding candidates from the digital twin library are identified to provide an alternative to the equipment based on the user-designated purpose. A three-dimensional printing of one or more of these candidates, including modifications to the physical and/or functional properties of the candidates to function similar to the equipment that needs an alternative, is then performed and provided to the user as alternatives to the equipment.
System and method for fabricating a dental restoration
A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a tooth at a restoration site in a dentition of a patient is disclosed. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch include the restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interface apparatus, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.