Three Dimensional (3D) Printing and CAD File Quoting System
First Claim
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1. A method for generating a quote for a three dimensional (3D) printed object comprising:
- providing a user generated 3D model;
importing said user generated 3D model into a 3D printing quote generation system;
analyzing the user generated 3D model and generating a 3D envelope around said model, the 3D envelope corresponding to the X, Y, and Z dimensions of the user generated 3D model;
instantiating a buildable area and a support surface in the quote generation system;
displaying the user generated 3D model, buildable area, and support surface in a graphical user interface (GUI);
orienting the user generated 3D model within the buildable area;
snapping the user generated 3D model to the support surface and displaying such in the GUI;
generating a digital support structure for the user generated 3D model based on the orientation of the user generated 3D model; and
generating a quote for a three dimensional (3D) printed object based on the user generated 3D model.
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Abstract
A system and method for a three dimensional (3D) printing quoting tool and system is provided for in the present invention. The 3D printing tools contemplated are capable of taking information from and presenting information to customers in order for the customer to have selective input into various aspects of such design and fabrication which affect price of a customized 3D part, and the printer to accurately price a customized 3D part.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for generating a quote for a three dimensional (3D) printed object comprising:
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providing a user generated 3D model; importing said user generated 3D model into a 3D printing quote generation system; analyzing the user generated 3D model and generating a 3D envelope around said model, the 3D envelope corresponding to the X, Y, and Z dimensions of the user generated 3D model; instantiating a buildable area and a support surface in the quote generation system; displaying the user generated 3D model, buildable area, and support surface in a graphical user interface (GUI); orienting the user generated 3D model within the buildable area; snapping the user generated 3D model to the support surface and displaying such in the GUI; generating a digital support structure for the user generated 3D model based on the orientation of the user generated 3D model; and generating a quote for a three dimensional (3D) printed object based on the user generated 3D model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) object, the method comprising:
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providing a digital manufacturing system, the manufacturing system providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to a customer; receiving digital information from the customer wherein the digital information comprises;
a digital representation of the 3D object;displaying the digital representation in the GUI; generating a digital support structure for the digital representation corresponding to a support structure for the 3D object; calculating a quotation for 3D printing the 3D object based upon a set of cost-affecting parameters determined by computer assessment of at least the 3D object and support structure; communicating the quotation to the customer; and upon acceptance of the computer calculated quotation by the customer, 3D printing the three dimensional object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for generating a price quote for at least one three dimensional (3D) printed object comprising:
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receiving a customer'"'"'s computer aided drafting (CAD) file corresponding to at least one 3D printable object; providing the customer with at least one computer menu of customer-selectable options for manufacturing the at least one 3D printable object, and allowing the customer to select one of the provided customer-selectable options; assessing the customer'"'"'s CAD file via computer to determine the volume of material in the at least one 3D printable object, the amount of support structure required to print the at least one 3D printable object; and
the time required to print the at least one 3D printable object;computer calculating a price quote for 3D printing the at least one 3D printable object based on at least the material in the at least one 3D printable object, the amount of support structure required to print the at least one 3D printable object; and
the time required to print the at least one 3D printable object, thereby generating a price quote; andcommunicating the quote to the customer via computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification