Systems for Flexible and Localized Additive Manufacturing
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsPrasad Avula, Teja Manakame
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
3D printing via additive manufacturing with 3D printers allows for printing parts of products to customize the products. 3D printing may be used for part design prototyping and verification. Verified 3D part designs may be propagated to 3D printers to allow for distributed 3D printing of parts. 3D printers may be used in production lines to allow for dynamic customization of parts and products. 3D print kiosks may be deployed to allow for localized manufacturing of customized parts and products.
Claims20
A method performed with a first three dimensional (3D) printing apparatus forming a part of a production line, the method comprising:
- receiving first product information for a first product, the first product associated with a first part;
- selecting a first material composition for the first part based upon the received first product information;
- configuring a first 3D printer of the first 3D printing apparatus to print according to the first material composition;
- printing the first part with the first 3D printer via additive manufacturing according to the first material composition;
- receiving second product information for a second product, the second product associated with a second part;
- selecting a second material composition for the second part based upon the received second product information, the second material composition different from the first material composition;
- subsequent to printing the first part and prior to further printing by the first 3D printer, dynamically configuring the first 3D printer of the first 3D printing apparatus to print according to the second material composition;
- and
- printing the second part with the first 3D printer via additive manufacturing according to the second material composition.
A three-dimensional (3D) print kiosk comprising:
- a 3D printer encapsulated by the 3D print kiosk;
- and
- a collection window coupled to receive output from the 3D printer, the 3D print kiosk configured to:
- receive a part selection for a part associated with a product;
- receive customization information from a user, wherein the customization information defines a parameter of the part;
- provide security information to the user;
- print the part via addictive manufacturing according to the received customization information;
- receive the security information from the user;
- and
- provide the printed part to the user via the collection window.
A method of localized part manufacture, the method comprising:
- receiving a product choice;
- providing a list of parts based on the product choice;
- receiving a selection of a part from the list of parts;
- receiving customization information for the part;
- receiving a payment;
- providing security information in response to receiving the payment;
- printing the selected part according to the customization information via additive manufacturing;
- receiving the security information;
- and
- providing the part in response to the received security information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.