Modification of a 3D model of a 3D object

A method comprising:

• accessing, by a processor, a 3D model of a 3D object to be additively manufactured;
• setting first initial state values of a densification component of a deformation model, the densification component associated with a density of the 3D object during sintering after the 3D object has been additively manufactured, the first initial state values associated with the density of the 3D object at start of the sintering;
• determining, by the processor, state values of the densification component, the determined state values associated with the density of the 3D object during and at completion of the sintering;
• setting, by the processor, the determined state values as second initial values of the densification component;
• applying, by the processor, the deformation model to the 3D model to generate a modified 3D model that compensates for a determined deformation of the 3D object during the sintering process;
• and
• causing, by the processor, additive manufacture of the 3D object in accordance with the modified 3D model, wherein the 3D object after additive manufacture is then subjected to the sintering.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform processing comprising:

• accessing a 3D model of a 3D object to be fabricated;
• setting first initial state values of a densification component of a deformation model, the densification component associated with a density of the 3D object during sintering after the 3D object has been additively manufactured, the initial state values associated with the density of the 3D object at start of the sintering;
• determining state values of the densification component, the determined state values associated with the density of the 3D object during and at completion of the sintering, the state values determined independently of mechanical load values of a deformation component of the deformation model associated with mechanical loads on the 3D object during the sintering;
• setting the determined state values at the completion of the sintering as second initial values of the densification component;
• applying the deformation model to the 3D model to generate a modified 3D model that compensates for deformation of the 3D object during the sintering;
• and
• send the modified 3D model to an additive manufacturing apparatus that is to additively manufacture the 3D object in accordance with the modified 3D model, wherein the 3D object after additive manufacture is then subjected to the sintering.