Method for generating a framework for three dimensional printed parts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10029419-B2
Application number	US-201514751600-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2015
Priority date	Jun 26, 2015
Publication date	Jul 24, 2018
Grant date	Jul 24, 2018

Abstract

A method of operating a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. The method receives image data corresponding to at least one three-dimensional object. The method generates image data corresponding to at least one member that extends from the at least one three-dimensional object corresponding to the received image data. The method operates an ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with a controller referencing the received image data and the generated image data to eject drops of a build material onto a platen to form the at least one three-dimensional object and the at least one member extending from the at least one three-dimensional object.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a three-dimensional object printer comprising:
receiving image data corresponding to at least one three-dimensional object;
generating image data corresponding to at least one member that extends from the at least one three-dimensional object that corresponds to the received image data and generating image data corresponding to indicia to be formed on the at least one member; and
operating an ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with a controller referencing the received image data, the generated image data corresponding to the at least one member, and the generated image data that corresponds to the indicia to be formed on the at least one member to eject drops of a build material onto a platen to form the at least one three-dimensional object as a first three-dimensional object and a second three-dimensional object with the at least one member with the indicia on the at least one member extending between the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object, the indicia on the at least one member identifying the first three-dimensional object and the indicia being positioned on the at least one member closer to the first three-dimensional object than to the second three-dimensional object to indicate the indicia on the at least one member is associated with the first three-dimensional object.

2. The method of claim 1 , the generation of the image data further comprising:
generating image data corresponding to a perforated joint between the at least one member and the first three-dimensional object to facilitate separation of the at least one member from the first three-dimensional object.

3. The method of claim 1 , the operation of the ejector head further comprising:
operating the ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with the controller referencing the received image data and the generated image data to eject drops of the build material onto the platen to form the at least one member as a plurality of interconnected members forming a perimeter around the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object.

4. The method of claim 3 , the formation of the perimeter further comprising:
forming the plurality of interconnected members with a longitudinal axis of each member in the plurality of interconnected members being in a common plane.

5. The method of claim 1 , the operation of the ejector head further comprising:
operating the ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with the controller referencing the received image data and the generated image data to eject drops of the build material onto the platen to form the at least one three-dimensional object with the at least one member as a plurality of interconnected members that connect to a face of the first three-dimensional object, the face of the first three-dimensional object being a surface that is opposite a surface that faces the platen.

6. The method of claim 1 , the operation of the ejector head further comprising:
operating the ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with the controller referencing the received image data and the generated image data to eject drops of the build material onto the platen to form the at least one member as a plurality of interconnected members that surround the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object.

7. The method of claim 1 , the operation of the ejector head further comprising:
operating the ejector head to form a layer of support material on the platen prior to forming the at least one three-dimensional object as the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object with the at least one member extending between the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object, the layer of support material having a width and a length that is greater than a perimeter about the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object with the at least one member extending between the first three-dimensional object and the second three-dimensional object.

8. The method of claim 1 , the generation of the image data further comprising:
generating image data corresponding to support areas that are formed between the platen and the at least one member to enable formation of the at least one member.

Assignees

• Xerox Corp

Inventors

• Anderson Jr Robert B
• Foley Timothy P
• Robles Flores Eliud

Classifications

• G05B19/4099 Primary

  Surface or curve machining, making three-dimensional [3D] objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing · CPC title

• B29C64/393

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• G06T19/20

  Editing of three-dimensional [3D] images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts · CPC title

• B33Y50/02

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• G05B2219/35134

  3-D cad-cam · CPC title