Apparatus and method for printing a contoured surface

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory configured to store computer-executable code configured to cause the processor to perform the steps of:
• receiving a three-dimensional (3D) digital model associated with a manufacturable object;
• generating a plurality of simulated control paths, based at least partially on the 3D digital model, for a plurality of actuators of a printing device having a plurality of printheads;
• determining a reward value for each one of the plurality of simulated control paths based on at least two simulated values, the at least two simulated values being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of simulated control paths and comprising at least one of a simulated collision value indicating a likelihood of collision between two or more printheads of the plurality of printheads, a comparison of a first threshold value to a simulated surface coverage value indicating a simulated quantity of dots per measure of distance applied by the printing device, or a comparison of a second threshold value to a simulated printing speed value indicating a simulated time to complete printing of the manufacturable object using the printing device, wherein a value of at least one simulated control path variable of any one of the plurality of simulated control paths is different than the value of the at least one simulated control path variable of any other one of the plurality of simulated control paths;
• determining a weight value for each of the at least two simulated values, wherein a weight value of at least one of the at least two simulated values is different than the weight value of any other one of the at least two simulated values;
• and
• selecting one of the plurality of simulated control paths based on a comparison between the reward values determined for the plurality of simulated control paths and on a comparison between the weight values determined for the at least two simulated values.

A printing system comprising:

• a plurality of sensors configured to provide actual sensor data, associated with a printing environment and a manufacturable object;
• a plurality of printheads;
• a plurality of actuators configured control multi-axle motion of the plurality of printheads;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory configured to store computer-executable code configured to cause the processor to perform the steps of:
• receiving a three-dimensional (3D) digital model associated with a manufacturable object;
• generating a plurality of simulated control paths, based at least partially on the 3D digital model, for a plurality of actuators of a printing device having a plurality of printheads;
• determining a reward value for each one of the plurality of simulated control paths based on at least two simulated values, the at least two simulated values being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of simulated control paths and comprising at least one of a simulated collision value indicating a likelihood of collision between two or more printheads of the plurality of printheads, a comparison of a first threshold value to a simulated surface coverage value indicating a simulated quantity of dots per measure of distance applied by the printing device, or a comparison of a second threshold value to a simulated printing speed value indicating a simulated time to complete printing of the manufacturable object using the printing device, wherein a value of at least one simulated control path variable of any one of the plurality of simulated control paths is different than the value of the at least one simulated control path variable of any other one of the plurality of simulated control paths;
• determining a weight value for each of the at least two simulated values, wherein a weight value of at least one of the at least two simulated values is different than the weight value of any other one of the at least two simulated values;
• and
• selecting one of the plurality of simulated control paths based on a comparison between the reward values determined for the plurality of simulated control paths and on a comparison between the weight values determined for the at least two simulated values.