Imaging monitoring method and apparatus for fabricating three dimensional models
AssigneeSolidscape, Inc.
InventorsWilliam MCKINNON, Ron SORLI, John T. WIGAND
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging monitoring system and method for the establishment, monitoring and control of the positions, orientations and operational tolerances of and between the elements of an apparatus for fabricating three dimensional models from successive layers of model and sacrificial materials by capturing and analyzing images of a test patterns created on test surfaces of a three dimension model and elements of a system for fabricating three dimensional models.
Claims20
A method for monitoring operation of a system for fabricating a three dimensional model by successive deposition of at least one material comprising at least one of a model material for form the model and at least one subsequently removed sacrificial material for supporting the model material during fabrication of the model, the system including a workpiece platform for supporting the composite model during fabrication and a tool platform for supporting a camera and at least one material deposition device for depositing the at least one material on layers of the model, with the at least one material deposition device and the camera having a known orientation and planar relationship with a tool platform reference plane and the workpiece platform and the tool platform being positional with respect to each other along an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis, the method comprising the steps of:
- depositing at least one test pattern comprised of the at least one material on at least one imaging surface related to one of a present and an existing layer of the composite model, the workpiece platform, a test surface and a currently topmost layer of the model,
- capturing an image of the at least one test pattern, and
- examining the image of the at least one test pattern to determine at least one characteristic of the test pattern representing operation of the fabrication system.
An imaging monitoring system for monitoring the operation of a system for fabricating three dimensional models by successive deposition of at least one material comprised of at least one of at least one model material to form the model and at least one subsequently removed sacrificial material for supporting the model material during fabrication of the model, comprising:
- a workpiece platform for supporting the composite model during fabrication,
- a tool platform for supporting at least one material deposition device for depositing the at least one material on layers of the model,
- the at least one material deposition device and the camera having a known orientation and planar relationship with a tool platform reference plane,
- actuators for positioning the workpiece platform and the tool platform with respect to each other along an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis,
- a camera supported on the workpiece platform having a known orientation and planar relationship with a tool platform reference plane for capturing images of at least one imaging surface related to one of a present and an existing layer of the composite model, the workpiece platform, a test surface and a currently topmost layer of the model,
- an system controller for directing operation of the fabrication system for
- depositing at least one test pattern of the at least one material on the at least one imaging surface,
- capturing an image of the at least one test pattern, and
- examining the image of the at least one test pattern to determine at least one characteristic of the test pattern representing operation of the fabrication system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.