Parametric generation of interlocking joints
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- obtaining a virtual model of an object that is to be assembled by securing a first element and a second element to each other, the virtual model specifying pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, the pre-cut physical characteristics including;
first pre-cut dimensions of the first element and one or more first physical properties of a material of the first element; and
second pre-cut dimensions of the second element and one or more second physical properties of a material of the second element;
determining, using the virtual model and for each of the first element and the second element, cut dimensions that indicate a manner in which the element is to be altered such that the altered first element and the altered second element include interlockable features that are capable of interlocking with each other, including;
selecting, from a set of element cutting options, one or more element cutting options that correspond to the pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, wherein each cutting option correlates cut dimensions with pre-cut physical characteristics of a set of pre-cut elements;
determining, using the virtual model and the one or more element cutting options, multiple candidate cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and
selecting, from the multiple candidate cut dimensions, particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element based on (i) a physical characteristic of the element after being altered using each of the multiple cut dimensions and (ii) one or more criteria for the physical characteristic of the element;
generating data that indicates the particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and
providing the data that indicates the particular cut dimensions to one or more computers that are associated with fabricating or assembling the object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present application discloses implementations relate to automated generation of interlocking joint features. An example method involves obtaining a virtual model of an object. The virtual model specifies dimensions of a first element, dimensions of a second element, and a spatial relation between the first element and the second element that defines a joint angle. The example method also involves obtaining a relationship that correlates element dimensions and joint angles with cut dimensions. The example method further involves determining cut dimensions for the first element the second element based on the relationship, the dimensions of the first element, the dimensions of the second element, and the joint angle. Modifying the first element and the second element according to the cut dimensions produces interlockable features on the first element and the second element. Additionally, the method involves providing an output signal indicative of the cut dimensions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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obtaining a virtual model of an object that is to be assembled by securing a first element and a second element to each other, the virtual model specifying pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, the pre-cut physical characteristics including; first pre-cut dimensions of the first element and one or more first physical properties of a material of the first element; and second pre-cut dimensions of the second element and one or more second physical properties of a material of the second element; determining, using the virtual model and for each of the first element and the second element, cut dimensions that indicate a manner in which the element is to be altered such that the altered first element and the altered second element include interlockable features that are capable of interlocking with each other, including; selecting, from a set of element cutting options, one or more element cutting options that correspond to the pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, wherein each cutting option correlates cut dimensions with pre-cut physical characteristics of a set of pre-cut elements; determining, using the virtual model and the one or more element cutting options, multiple candidate cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and selecting, from the multiple candidate cut dimensions, particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element based on (i) a physical characteristic of the element after being altered using each of the multiple cut dimensions and (ii) one or more criteria for the physical characteristic of the element; generating data that indicates the particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and providing the data that indicates the particular cut dimensions to one or more computers that are associated with fabricating or assembling the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20)
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11. A system comprising:
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at least one processor; and a storage device having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the at least one processor, causes performance of operations comprising; obtaining a virtual model of an object that is to be assembled by securing a first element and a second element to each other, the virtual model specifying pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, the pre-cut physical characteristics including; first pre-cut dimensions of the first element and one or more first physical properties of a material of the first element; and second pre-cut dimensions of the second element and one or more second physical properties of a material of the second element; determining, using the virtual model and for each of the first element and the second element, cut dimensions that indicate a manner in which the element is to be altered such that the altered first element and the altered second element include interlockable features that are capable of interlocking with each other, including; selecting, from a set of element cutting options, one or more element cutting options that correspond to the pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, wherein each cutting option correlates cut dimensions with pre-cut physical characteristics of a set of pre-cut elements; determining, using the virtual model and the one or more element cutting options, multiple candidate cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and selecting, from the multiple candidate cut dimensions, particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element based on (i) a physical characteristic of the element after being altered using each of the multiple candidate cut dimensions and (ii) one or more criteria for the physical characteristic of the element; generating data that indicates the particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and providing the data that indicates the particular cut dimensions to one or more computers that are associated with fabricating or assembling the object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by at least one processor, causes performance of operations comprising:
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obtaining a virtual model of an object that is to be assembled by securing a first element and a second element to each other, the virtual model specifying pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, the pre-cut physical characteristics including; first pre-cut dimensions of the first element and one or more first physical properties of a material of the first element; and second pre-cut dimensions of the second element and one or more second physical properties of a material of the second element; determining, using the virtual model and for each of the first element and the second element, cut dimensions that indicate a manner in which the element is to be altered such that the altered first element and the altered second element include interlockable features that are capable of interlocking with each other, including; selecting, from a set of element cutting options, one or more element cutting options that correspond to the pre-cut physical characteristics of the first element and the second element, wherein each cutting option correlates cut dimensions with pre-cut physical characteristics of a set of pre-cut elements; determining, using the virtual model and the one or more element cutting options, multiple candidate cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and selecting, from the multiple candidate cut dimensions, particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element based on (i) a physical characteristic of the element after being altered using each of the multiple candidate cut dimensions and (ii) one or more criteria for the physical characteristic of the element; generating data that indicates the particular cut dimensions of the first element or the second element; and providing the data that indicates the particular cut dimensions to one or more computers that are associated with fabricating or assembling the object. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification