Method of Reducing and Optimising Printed Support Structures in 3D Printing Processes
First Claim
1. A process for producing a printed target model formed from a model material using a 3D printer assembly, the 3D printer assembly including a 3D printer having a printer table and a processor having memory actuable to control said 3D printer, wherein the process comprising,inputting in said memory target model data representative of the printed target model to be formed,using said target model data, identifying target model surface portions of the printed target model requiring support and which orient at an angle exceeding a predetermined threshold angle,converting a selected one of said surface portions to an associated planar image in a direction normal to a surface of the printer table,identifying a long axis of said associated planar image,generating at least one virtual, model support structure for said selected surface portion relative to said printer table, the support structure including a generally V-shaped cap portion, said cap portion including a pair of longitudinally extending planar sidewalls which extend upwardly outward from a lower vertex to an underside of the selected surface portion of the target model requiring support, each of said sidewalls extending laterally at an angel selected at or upto leas than 10°
- from the predetermined threshold angle,and activating with said 3D printer to form by model material layer build-up said target model and said support structures based on said input target model data and said generated virtual model support structures, and separating said target model from said model support structures.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A printed target model is formed by 3D printing by inputting target model data, and based on target model data, identifying surface portions requiring support. The surface portions are projected onto a virtual printer table, and one or more virtual support structures having a V-shaped cap portion and optionally a generally planar web are created therefore. The virtual model is then used to control a 3D printer to integrally print-form the target model and support structures.
36 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A process for producing a printed target model formed from a model material using a 3D printer assembly, the 3D printer assembly including a 3D printer having a printer table and a processor having memory actuable to control said 3D printer, wherein the process comprising,
inputting in said memory target model data representative of the printed target model to be formed, using said target model data, identifying target model surface portions of the printed target model requiring support and which orient at an angle exceeding a predetermined threshold angle, converting a selected one of said surface portions to an associated planar image in a direction normal to a surface of the printer table, identifying a long axis of said associated planar image, generating at least one virtual, model support structure for said selected surface portion relative to said printer table, the support structure including a generally V-shaped cap portion, said cap portion including a pair of longitudinally extending planar sidewalls which extend upwardly outward from a lower vertex to an underside of the selected surface portion of the target model requiring support, each of said sidewalls extending laterally at an angel selected at or upto leas than 10° - from the predetermined threshold angle,
and activating with said 3D printer to form by model material layer build-up said target model and said support structures based on said input target model data and said generated virtual model support structures, and separating said target model from said model support structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- from the predetermined threshold angle,
-
13. A process for producing a printed target model formed from a model material using a 3D printer assembly, the 3D pricier assembly including a 3D printer having a printer table and processor having memory actuable to control said 3D printer, wherein the process comprising,
inputting in said memory target model data representative of a virtual target model to be formed, using said target model data, identifying target model surface portions of the printed target model which are oriented relative to vertical in n position exceeding a predetermined threshold angle as requiring support, projecting a selected said surface portion us a planar image relative to said printer table, and identifying a long axis of said planar image, generating at least one a virtual support structure configured to provide support to said selected surface portion, and said virtual support structure extending longitudinally in the direction of said long axis and comprising a generally vertically elongated base portion extending from a lower end portion to an upper edge portion spaced a distance therefrom, and a cap portion having V-shaped sidewalls disposed at said upper edge portion, wherein generating said virtual model support structure including selecting a symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration for said cap portion sidewalls, whereby following said step of identifying said long axis, identifying a lateral axis normal to said long axis at a widest portion of said associated planar image, at a mid-point of said lateral axis, identifying a center support axis, parallel to said long axis, projecting downwardly inwardly towards a vertical place at the center support axis from each lateral edge of the selected surface portion, a virtual line oriented at an angle selected at or upto 10° - less than the predetermined threshold angle,
measuring the relative spacing between the respective points of intersection of the virtual lines along the center support axis vertical plane and the selected surface portion, and selecting said sidewall configuration based on the measured relative spacing, actuating said 3D printer to concurrently integrally form said target model and said support structure on said printer table corresponding to said virtual target model and virtual support structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- less than the predetermined threshold angle,
Specification