Made-to-order direct digital manufacturing enterprise

• US 20110313878A1
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kraftwurx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bryan C. Norman
• Inventors: Norman, Bryan C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,515,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/00 Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

Methods and systems for designing and producing a three-dimensional object selection of a base three-dimensional object from a customer device. A base three-dimensional model corresponding to the object is displayed on the customer device, and one or more custom modifications are received. A modified three-dimensional model corresponding to the modified object is prepared and displayed. Once confirmation to produce the modified object is received, data corresponding to the modified three-dimensional model is transmitted to a manufacturing device for production of the object, using the data to do so, such that the object corresponds directly to the modified three-dimensional model.

Claims

1. A customer-driven method for designing and producing a three-dimensional object, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selection of a base three-dimensional object from a customer device in communication with a central device;

displaying a base three-dimensional model derived from the base-three dimensional data on the customer device, wherein the base three-dimensional model corresponds directly to the base three-dimensional object;

receiving at least one custom modification to the base three-dimensional model from the customer device, modifying the base three-dimensional data to form modified three-dimensional data, and preparing a modified three-dimensional model corresponding to a modified three-dimensional object determined by the base three-dimensional object as modified by said at least one custom modification;

displaying the modified three-dimensional model on the customer device, wherein the modified three-dimensional model corresponds directly to the modified three-dimensional object;

receiving confirmation to produce the modified three-dimensional object from the customer device; and

transmitting the modified three-dimensional data from the central device to a manufacturer device for production of the modified three-dimensional object, using and corresponding directly to the modified three-dimensional data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving said at least one custom modification from the customer device comprises:

providing an interactive design interface comprising at least one design tool to the customer device for permitting modifications to the base three-dimensional image;

receiving at least one selection from the customer device using the interactive design interface; and

converting said at least one selection to a modification of the base three-dimensional image to prepare the modified three-dimensional image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of receiving said at least one custom modification from the customer device and transmitting the modified three-dimensional image to the customer device comprise:

receiving a first custom modification to the base three-dimensional image from the customer device and preparing a first iterative modified three-dimensional image;

transmitting the first modified three-dimensional image from the central device to the customer device for display;

receiving at least one additional custom modification to the first modified three-dimensional image from the customer device and preparing at least one additional iterative modified three-dimensional image; and

transmitting said at least one additional iterative modified three-dimensional image from the server to the customer device for display.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding traveler information to the modified three-dimensional image to enable tracking of the modified three-dimensional image, the modified three-dimensional object, or combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving said at least one custom modification by the central device further comprises determining, by the central device, if said at least one custom modification deviates from a preselected parameter associated with the base three-dimensional object and transmitting a notification to the customer device if said at least one custom modification deviates from the preselected parameter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the modified three-dimensional image to the manufacturer device comprises:

determining a respective capacity, a quality rating, a location, or combinations thereof, of a plurality of manufacturers;

selecting at least one of the manufacturers for receipt of the modified three-dimensional image based on the respective capacity, the quality rating, the location, or combinations thereof, of said at least one of the manufacturers; and

transmitting the modified three-dimensional image to at least one respective manufacturer device associated with said at least one of the manufacturers for production of the modified three-dimensional object, corresponding directly to the modified three-dimensional image.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting to the customer device a confirmation of production, shipment, or combinations thereof, of the modified three-dimensional object.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving said at least one custom modification from the customer device comprises receiving a modification to a shape of the base three-dimensional image, text for two-dimensional or three-dimensional addition to the base three-dimensional image, an image or design for two-dimensional or three-dimensional addition to the base three-dimensional image, or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving said at least one custom modification from the customer device comprises receiving a selection of a predefined modification to the base three-dimensional image.

10. A system for designing and producing a three-dimensional object, the system comprising:

a central device having a plurality of base three-dimensional images accessible therefrom, each corresponding to a base three-dimensional object;

a customer device in communication with the central device;

a manufacturer device in communication with the central device;

an interactive design interface associated with the central device, the customer device, or combinations thereof, wherein the interactive design interface comprises computer instructions for permitting selection of a modification to the base image by the customer device;

imaging computer instructions associated with the central device for producing a modified three-dimensional image corresponding to a modified three-dimensional object using a base three-dimensional image and a selection from the interactive design interface;

confirmation computer instructions associated with the central device for receiving a confirmation of the modified three-dimensional image and transmitting the modified three-dimensional image from the central device to the manufacturer device for production of the modified three-dimensional object, corresponding directly to the modified three-dimensional image.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the interactive design interface comprises a design tool having computer instructions for receiving the selection from the customer device and converting the selection to a modification of the base three-dimensional image to form the modified three-dimensional image.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the confirmation computer instructions are configured to add traveler information to the modified three-dimensional image to enable tracking of the modified three-dimensional image, the modified three-dimensional object, or combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a preselected parameter associated with a base three-dimensional object associated with the central device, and computer instructions for determining if the modification deviates from the preselected parameter and transmitting a notification to the customer device if the modification deviates from the preselected parameter.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising capacity computer instructions for determining a respective capacity, a quality rating, a location, or combinations thereof, of a plurality of manufacturers, and selecting at least one of the manufacturers for receipt of the modified three-dimensional image based on the respective capacity, the quality rating, the location, or combinations thereof, of said at least one of the manufacturers for transmission the modified three-dimensional image to a respective manufacturer device associated with said at least one of the manufacturers.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising computer instructions for transmitting to the customer device a confirmation of production, shipment, or combinations thereof, of the modified three-dimensional object.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer instructions of the interactive design interface are configured to receive a modification to a shape of the base three-dimensional image, text for two-dimensional or three-dimensional addition to the base three-dimensional image, an image or design for two-dimensional or three-dimensional addition to the base three-dimensional image, or combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of predefined modifications stored on the central device, wherein the selection from the interactive design interface comprises selection of at least one of the predefined modifications.