Printing layer in response to substrate contour
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTodd W. Miller, Jeremy D. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.
Claims20
A method of printing onto a base, the method comprising:
- receiving a base on a platform, wherein the base includes a plurality of cavities;
- detecting a first depth of each of the cavities;
- printing an initial printed layer, wherein the initial print layer only partially fills one or more of the cavities;
- curing the initial printed layer;
- detecting a second depth of each of the one or more partially-filled cavities;
- printing a final printed layer, wherein after printing the final printed layer, each of the cavities is completely filled;
- and
- curing the final printed layer, wherein after curing the final printed layer, the final printed layer is substantially flat.
A method of printing onto a base, the method comprising:
- detecting a first depth of each cavity of a plurality of cavities, wherein the cavities are disposed on a base;
- printing an initial printed layer, wherein the initial print layer only partially fills at least one of the cavities;
- curing the initial printed layer;
- detecting a second depth of each of the at least one partially-filled cavities;
- printing a final printed layer, wherein after printing the final printed layer, each of the cavities is completely filled;
- and
- curing the final printed layer, wherein after curing the final printed layer, the final printed layer is substantially flat.
A system for printing onto a base comprising:
- a control system configured to:
- receive information about depths of cavities on a surface of a base, wherein the received information includes a first depth of each cavity of a plurality of cavities;
- receive an image file of a structure having a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed on the surface of the base;
- adjust the image file based on the first depth of the cavities;
- generate an adjusted image file having a first adjusted thickness, wherein the first adjusted thickness is less than the first depth of one or more cavities;
- and
- transmit the adjusted image file to a printing device;
- and
- the printing device configured to:
- receive the adjusted image file;
- and
- print a base layer directly onto the base using the adjusted image file, wherein the base layer only partially fills the one or more cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.