Frequency domain spatial packing for 3D fabrication

A method for arranging a plurality of parts into a build volume for three-dimensional fabrication, the method comprising:

• receiving a specification of a shape for each part of a plurality of parts;
• arranging the parts in a build volume, including for at least a first part of the plurality of parts arranging the first part relative to an arrangement including one or more previously arranged parts of the plurality of parts;
• using a first spatial frequency representation of the shape of the first part determined from the first part and using a second spatial frequency representation of the arrangement, determining a location of the first part relative to the arrangement;
• and
• adding the first part to the arrangement at the determined location;
• forming a build volume specification for three-dimensional fabrication according to the arrangement;
• and
• providing the specification of the build volume for use in a three-dimensional fabrication system,
• wherein using a first spatial frequency representation of the shape of the first part comprises a Fourier Transform of a volume occupied by the first part.

A system for arranging a plurality of parts into a build volume for three-dimensional fabrication, the system comprising one or more hardware processors, and a storage for instructions for execution by said one or more hardware processors that when executed cause the system to:

• receive a specification of a shape for each part of a plurality of parts;
• arrange the parts in a build volume, including for at least a first part of the plurality of parts arranging the first part relative to an arrangement including one or more previously arranged parts of the plurality of parts;
• using a first spatial frequency domain representation of the shape of the first part determined from the first part and using a second spatial frequency domain representation of the arrangement;
• determining a location of the first part relative to the arrangement;
• and
• adding the first part to the arrangement at the determined location;
• form a build volume specification for three-dimensional fabrication according to the arrangement;
• and
• provide the build volume specification for use in a three-dimensional fabrication system.

A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed by one or more hardware processors cause said processors to:

• receive a specification of a shape for each part of a plurality of parts;
• arrange the parts in a build volume, including for at least a first part of the plurality of parts arranging the first part relative to an arrangement including one or more previously arranged parts of the plurality of parts;
• using a first spatial frequency domain representation of the shape of the first part determined from the first part and using a second spatial frequency domain representation of the arrangement;
• determining a location of the first part relative to the arrangement;
• and
• adding the first part to the arrangement at the determined location;
• form a build volume specification for three-dimensional fabrication according to the arrangement;
• and
• provide the build volume specification for use in a three-dimensional fabrication system.