Multi-drone based three-dimensional printing
First Claim
1. A computer program product for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage device, to:
- obtain, at a central controller, a set of specifications for the 3D object;
direct by the central controller, each unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of a plurality of UAVs controlled by the central controller to fly to a depositing location determined from the set of specifications upon which a layer of 3D printer material is to be deposited;
direct, by the central controller, in response to an indication that a UAV of the plurality of UAVs has reached the depositing location, the UAV to apply the layer of 3D printer material to the depositing location;
monitor, by the central controller, a reserve of a resource in each of the plurality of UAVs as the UAV applies the printer material and a progress, through an observer UAV of the plurality of UAVs, of a deposition of the 3D printing material at the depositing location;
detect, by the central controller, a defect in the progress of the deposition of the 3D printing material; and
adjust, by the central controller, responsive to the detected defect, a deployment and recall sequence for the plurality of UAVs based on the defect and the monitored resource of the plurality of UAVs.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Approaches presented herein enable forming a 3D object with a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also known as “drones”, configured to carry and deposit 3D printing material, and to fly to a depositing location (e.g., fly, hover, or land) to print a 3D object. Specifically, at a central controller, a set of specifications for a 3D object to be printed are obtained. The central controller directs each of a plurality of UAVs controlled by the central controller to fly to a depositing location where a layer of 3D printer material is to be deposited, the location determined from the set of specifications. In response to a UAV of the plurality reaching the depositing location, the central controller further directs the UAV of the plurality to apply the layer of 3D printer material to the depositing location.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A computer program product for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage device, to:
-
obtain, at a central controller, a set of specifications for the 3D object; direct by the central controller, each unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of a plurality of UAVs controlled by the central controller to fly to a depositing location determined from the set of specifications upon which a layer of 3D printer material is to be deposited; direct, by the central controller, in response to an indication that a UAV of the plurality of UAVs has reached the depositing location, the UAV to apply the layer of 3D printer material to the depositing location; monitor, by the central controller, a reserve of a resource in each of the plurality of UAVs as the UAV applies the printer material and a progress, through an observer UAV of the plurality of UAVs, of a deposition of the 3D printing material at the depositing location; detect, by the central controller, a defect in the progress of the deposition of the 3D printing material; and adjust, by the central controller, responsive to the detected defect, a deployment and recall sequence for the plurality of UAVs based on the defect and the monitored resource of the plurality of UAVs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification