Computer controlled selective hardening of 3-dimensional printed objects

A computer program product for three-dimensional (3D) printing including hardness variation within a print object, the method comprising:

• one or more computer-readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:
• program instructions to receive metadata associated with 3D printing of a print object, the metadata indicating a level of hardness of a printing material varies across portions of the print object during printing of the print object;
• program instructions to apply during 3D printing of the print object, a pre-determined set of parameters including an electrical voltage and a duration of the electrical voltage to the printing material, wherein the predetermined set of parameters correspond to a first target level of hardness for a first portion of the print object and a second target level of hardness for a second portion of the print object as indicated by the metadata associated with the 3D printing of the print object, and wherein the first target level of hardness is different than the second target level of hardness;
• program instructions to measure during the 3D printing of the print object, the level of hardness for the first portion of the print object, by use of an ultrasonic device;
• and
• in response to determining the level of hardness of the first portion of the 3D printing of the print object differs from the first target level of hardness indicated in the metadata associated with the first portion of the print object, program instructions to adjust at least one of the electrical voltage and the duration of the electrical voltage of the predetermined set of parameters applied to the printing material to attain the first target level of hardness for the first portion of the print object.

A computer system for three-dimensional (3D) printing including hardness variation of a printed object, the computer system comprising:

• one or more computer processors;
• one or more computer-readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:
• program instructions to receive metadata associated with 3D printing of a print object, the metadata indicating that a level of hardness of a printing material varies across portions of the print object during printing of the print object;
• program instructions to apply during 3D printing of the print object, a pre-determined set of parameters including an electrical voltage and a duration of the electrical voltage to the printing material, wherein the predetermined set of parameters correspond to a first target level of hardness for a first portion of the print object and a second target level of hardness for a second portion of the print object as indicated by the metadata associated with the 3D printing of the print object, and wherein the first target level of hardness is different than the second target level of hardness;
• program instructions to measure during the 3D printing of the print object, the level of hardness for the first portion of the print object, by use of an ultrasonic device;
• and
• in response to determining the level of hardness of the first portion of the 3D printing of the print object differs from the first target level of hardness indicated in the metadata associated with the first portion of the print object, program instructions to adjust at least one of the electrical voltage and the duration of the electrical voltage of the predetermined set of parameters applied to the printing material to attain the first target level of hardness for the first portion of the print object.