Generating support material for three-dimensional printing

In one embodiment of the present invention, a support structure generator creates support structures designed to buttress three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the support structure generator incrementally constructs a support graph that connects overhanging points...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. Verfasser:	Schmidt, Ryan Michael
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng
Schlagworte:	ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OFTHREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVEAGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING,STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING CALCULATING COMPUTING CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL CONTROLLING COUNTING ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS PERFORMING OPERATIONS PHYSICS REGULATING SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS TRANSPORTING WORKING OF PLASTICS WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	In one embodiment of the present invention, a support structure generator creates support structures designed to buttress three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the support structure generator incrementally constructs a support graph that connects overhanging points included in the 3D model with support points on a horizontal ground plane or relatively flat surfaces in the 3D model. After generating the 3D model, the support structure generator translates the connections between the nodes into support posts sized to sufficiently support the connected surfaces with the minimum amount of support material. Advantageously, the support structure is noticeably sparser than conventional support structures that fill a given support region with a solid volume of support material. Consequently, the time necessary for 3D printers to fabricate the support structure of interconnected support posts is less than the time required for 3D printers to fabricate conventional support structures.