Modulating a three-dimensional printer system based on a selected mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11701836-B2
Application number	US-202217579845-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2022
Priority date	Jul 28, 2017
Publication date	Jul 18, 2023
Grant date	Jul 18, 2023

Abstract

A control system for a three-dimensional printer includes an energy component interface, an agent depositing component interface, and control logic. The control logic controls the operation of an energy component through the energy component interface and an agent depositing component through the agent depositing component, in forming an output object that is specified in a print job. Additionally, in some examples, the control logic can implement a plurality of modes. Each mode, when selected modulate one or more operational parameters of a least one of the energy component or agent depositing component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control system for a three-dimensional printer, the control system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing program code executable by the processor to:
provide a user interface;
receive user input of a selected mode of a plurality of modes for the three-dimensional printer through the user interface; and
in response to the user input of the selected mode, modulate one or more operational parameters of the three-dimensional printer relating to either or both of print agent deposition and thermal energy delivery based on a set of tolerances specific to the selected mode that vary from a default tolerance or a tolerance indicated by a print job.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode produces an object specified by the print job faster than other modes of the plurality of modes.

3. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode has a stricter tolerance for dimensional accuracy of an object specified by the print job than other modes of the plurality of modes.

4. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode has a stricter tolerance for tensile or impact strength of an object specified by the print job than other modes of the plurality of modes.

5. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode has a stricter tolerance for a color property of an object specified by the print job than other modes of the plurality of modes.

6. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the program code is executable by the processor to further alter implementation of the selected mode based on a parameter of the print job.

7. The control system of claim 6 , wherein the parameter of the print job includes a build material type.

8. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a database to store a set of tolerances and a corresponding plurality of settings for each of the plurality of modes, wherein the program code is executable by the processor to modulate one or more operational parameters of the three-dimensional printer based on the settings associated with the selected mode.

9. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the program code is executable by the process to control material deposition differently based on the selected mode.

10. A control system for a three-dimensional printer, the control system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing program code executable by the processor to:
provide a user interface for submitting a print job specifying an output object;
receive user input of a selected mode of a plurality of modes for the three-dimensional printer; and
based at least in part on the selected mode, modulate an operational parameter of the three-dimensional printer relating to either or both of print agent deposition and thermal energy deposition to a preset range that prioritizes one or multiple of a dimensional accuracy parameter, a strength parameter, and a cosmetic parameter of the print job.

11. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the selected mode relaxes a tolerance indicated by the print job so as to prioritize dimensional accuracy in the output object.

12. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the selected mode relaxes a tolerance indicated by the print job so as to prioritize tensile strength in the output object.

13. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the selected mode relaxes a tolerance indicated by the print job so as to prioritize vibrancy of color in the output object.

14. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the selected mode relaxes a tolerance indicated by the print job so as to result in a faster overall formation of the output object.

15. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the selected mode overrides a specification in the print job for fresh build material to utilize recycled build material.

16. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the selected mode restricts a range of tolerance for a material strength property of the output object and relaxes a range of tolerance for an aesthetic property of the output object.

17. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the program code is executable by the processor to limit availability of one of the plurality of modes from being selected based on material properties of a build material specified to be used.

18. The control system of claim 10 , wherein, in the selected mode, the operational parameter of the three-dimensional printer relating to either or both of print agent deposition and thermal energy deposition is modulated to a preset range that equally prioritizes one or multiple of a dimensional accuracy parameter, a strength parameter and a cosmetic parameter of the output object.

19. The control system of claim 10 , wherein, in the selected mode, the operational parameter of the three-dimensional printer relating to either or both of print agent deposition and thermal energy deposition is modulated to equally prioritize a dimensional accuracy parameter, a strength parameter, and a cosmetic parameter of the output object.

20. A method for operating a three-dimensional printer system, comprising:
receiving, by a processor, a print job for an output object;
receiving, by the processor, input of a selected mode of a plurality of modes, each mode comprising a set of tolerances that at least one of which varies from a corresponding default tolerance or tolerance specified in the print job; and
modulating, by the processor, one or more operational parameters of the three-dimensional printer relating to one or multiple of print agent deposition, material deposition, and thermal energy deposition based on the selected mode so as to prioritize one property of the output object over another, different property of the output object.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Verzwyvelt Vanessa
• Shepherd Matthew A
• Barnes Arthur H
• Schalk Wesley R
• Lebron Hector Jose
• Wright Jake

Classifications

• B29C64/393 Primary

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• B22F10/36

  of energy beam parameters · CPC title

• B29C64/205

  Means for applying layers · CPC title

• B29C64/295

  Heating elements · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title