Image-based monitoring and feedback system for three-dimensional printing
First Claim
1. A system for improving print quality of a three-dimensional (3D) printer, comprising:
- a camera configured to capture an image of an object being printed by the 3D printer while the object is being printed; and
an image processing system comprising;
a processor; and
a computer-readable media device embodying computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, implement an image-comparison module configured to perform operations comprising;
receiving, from the camera while the 3D printer is printing, the image of the object being printed by the 3D printer;
comparing the image to a benchmark image, the benchmark image being an image that accurately represents the object being printed;
identifying a difference between an element of the object and an analogous element of the benchmark image;
determining an operating parameter of the 3D printer related to the difference; and
sending a control signal to the 3D printer, the control signal effective to adjust the operating parameter of the 3D printer while the 3D printer is printing, the adjustment effective to reduce the difference between the element of the object and the analogous element of the benchmark image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for using an image-based monitoring and feedback system for three-dimensional printing. In some aspects, a camera captures images of objects being printed and an image-processing system compares the images with benchmark images to detect and correct differences between the object and the benchmark. The correction can be in real time or applied to subsequent printing. Other aspects include a calibration system that prints predefined test objects and compares them to benchmarks to ensure that the printer operating parameters are properly set. The comparison can be manually performed by a user or automated as a part of the image-processing system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for improving print quality of a three-dimensional (3D) printer, comprising:
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a camera configured to capture an image of an object being printed by the 3D printer while the object is being printed; and an image processing system comprising; a processor; and a computer-readable media device embodying computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, implement an image-comparison module configured to perform operations comprising; receiving, from the camera while the 3D printer is printing, the image of the object being printed by the 3D printer; comparing the image to a benchmark image, the benchmark image being an image that accurately represents the object being printed; identifying a difference between an element of the object and an analogous element of the benchmark image; determining an operating parameter of the 3D printer related to the difference; and sending a control signal to the 3D printer, the control signal effective to adjust the operating parameter of the 3D printer while the 3D printer is printing, the adjustment effective to reduce the difference between the element of the object and the analogous element of the benchmark image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for improving print quality of a three-dimensional (3D) printer, comprising:
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receiving, from a camera communicatively connected to the 3D printer and while the 3D printer is printing, an image of an object being printed by the 3D printer; comparing the image to a benchmark image, the benchmark image being an image that accurately represents the object being printed; identifying a difference between an element of the object and an analogous element of the benchmark image; determining an operating parameter of the 3D printer related to the difference; and sending a control signal to the 3D printer, the control signal effective to adjust the operating parameter of the 3D printer while the 3D printer is printing, the adjustment effective to reduce the difference between the element of the object and the analogous element of the benchmark image. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification