Support structures techniques for additive fabrication and related systems and methods
AssigneeFormlabs, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin FrantzDale, Samuel Wainwright
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques are described for generating a support structure that connects to a part while avoiding connecting to regions that include one or more less desirable features, such as at edges, corners and/or high detail regions. A computing device may be configured to identify regions of the surface of a part that contain less desirable surface features, and exclude and/or disfavor those regions for connection to a support structure when generating the support structure. In some embodiments, regions containing less desirable surface features can be defined by a user, such as via a graphical user interface displaying a three-dimensional (3D) representation of a part to be fabricated.
Claims18
A computer-implemented method of generating a support structure for an object to be fabricated by an additive fabrication device, the object represented by a 3D model, the method comprising:
- using at least one processor:
- identifying one or more surface regions of the 3D model that satisfy one or more support tip generation criteria, wherein the one or more support tip generation criteria include a first support tip generation criterion that is satisfied if the one or more surface regions do not include an edge area, and a second support tip generation criterion that is satisfied if the one or more surface regions have a mesh density that is below a threshold number of polygons per unit area;
- generating a 3D model representing a support structure comprising one or more support tips that contact the one or more surface regions of the 3D model, wherein the support structure does not contact surface regions of the 3D model other than the one or more surface regions that satisfied the one or more support tip generation criteria;
- and
- displaying the support structure and the 3D model in a user interface.
At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method of generating a support structure for an object to be fabricated by an additive fabrication device, the object represented by a 3D model, the method comprising:
- identifying one or more surface regions of the 3D model that satisfy one or more support tip generation criteria, wherein the one or more support tip generation criteria include a first support tip generation criterion that is satisfied if the one or more surface regions do not include an edge area, and a second support tip generation criterion that is satisfied if the one or more surface regions have a mesh density that is below a threshold number of polygons per unit area;
- generating a 3D model representing a support structure comprising one or more support tips that contact the one or more surface regions of the 3D model, wherein the support structure does not contact surface regions of the 3D model other than the one or more surface regions that satisfied the one or more support tip generation criteria;
- and
- displaying the support structure and the 3D model in a user interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.