Iterative packing optimization
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- predetermining two or more layouts for a defined space of a print bed of a three dimensional printer, each layout of the two or more layouts comprising a plurality of shapes;
receiving a set comprising data representing physical properties of a plurality of items, wherein the set is stored in a computer readable medium;
determining two or more configurations of items with at least one configuration for each layout, each configuration of items formed by assigning items from the plurality of items to a plurality of shapes of a layout, wherein one item is assigned to one shape and two or more differently shaped items correspond to the layout shape;
scoring, by a processor, the two or more configurations of items;
selecting one of the two or more configurations of items based at least in part upon the scoring; and
printing by the three dimensional printer the items of the selected configuration of items, wherein the items are arranged in the print bed based on the selected configuration of items.
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Abstract
An iterative method and system for performing the method are described that implement a technique to fit irregularly shaped items into a defined space. In particular, one example may take the form of a method including predetermining one or more layouts for a defined space. Each layout has a plurality of shapes. The method also includes receiving a set having a plurality of items and determining one or more configurations formed by assigning to each shape in the layout an item from the set. The items match the shapes to which they are assigned. Additionally, the method includes scoring each configuration and selecting one configuration based at least in part upon the scoring.
40 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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predetermining two or more layouts for a defined space of a print bed of a three dimensional printer, each layout of the two or more layouts comprising a plurality of shapes; receiving a set comprising data representing physical properties of a plurality of items, wherein the set is stored in a computer readable medium; determining two or more configurations of items with at least one configuration for each layout, each configuration of items formed by assigning items from the plurality of items to a plurality of shapes of a layout, wherein one item is assigned to one shape and two or more differently shaped items correspond to the layout shape; scoring, by a processor, the two or more configurations of items; selecting one of the two or more configurations of items based at least in part upon the scoring; and printing by the three dimensional printer the items of the selected configuration of items, wherein the items are arranged in the print bed based on the selected configuration of items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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pre-computing at least two layouts using a morphological technique, each layout comprising a plurality of holes positioned within a defined space of a three dimensional printer; receiving a queue comprising data representing physical properties of a plurality of irregularly shaped items, the queue stored in a computer readable medium, wherein two or more of the irregularly shaped items correspond to at least one of the plurality of holes; iteratively determining a plurality of configurations fitting a subset of the queue into the defined space wherein the plurality of configurations comprises a different subset of the queue of irregularly shaped items and wherein there is at least one configuration for each layout; scoring the plurality of configurations; selecting one of the plurality of configurations based at least in part upon the scoring of the plurality of configurations; and printing by the three dimensional printer the items of the selected configuration, wherein the items are arranged in the three dimensional printer based on, the selected configuration. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A system comprising:
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a computer storage device configured to store a set comprising data representing physical properties of a plurality of irregularly shaped items to be printed; a processor in communication with the computer storage device, the processor configured to; predetermine two or more layouts for a defined space, each layout comprising a plurality of shapes; receive the set; determine two or more configurations with at least one configuration for each layout, each configuration of items formed by assigning a items from the plurality of items to a plurality of shapes of a layout, wherein one item is assigned to one shape and two or more differently shaped items correspond to the layout shape; score the two or more configurations; select one configuration of the two or more configurations based at least in part upon the scoring; and output instructions for printing in a three dimensional print bed the selected configuration, the three dimensional print bed corresponding to the defined space; and a three dimensional printer in communication with the processor, wherein the three dimensional printer prints items corresponding to the selected configuration. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification