Printing layer in response to substrate contour
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTodd W. Miller, Jeremy D. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.
Claims20
A method of printing onto a base, the method comprising:
- receiving a base on a platform, wherein the base includes a plurality of cavities;
- detecting a first depth of each of the cavities;
- printing an initial printed layer in each of the cavities, wherein the initial printed layer only partially fills one or more of the cavities;
- curing the initial printed layer;
- detecting a second depth of each of the one or more partially-filled cavities;
- and
- printing a final printed layer, wherein after printing the final printed layer, each of the cavities is completely filled.
A method of printing onto a base, the method comprising:
- detecting a first depth of each cavity of a plurality of cavities, wherein the cavities are disposed on a base;
- printing an initial printed layer, wherein the initial printed layer completely fills at least one of the cavities and only partially fills at least one of the cavities;
- curing the initial printed layer;
- detecting a second depth of each of the at least one partially-filled cavities;
- and
- printing a final printed layer, wherein after printing the final printed layer, each of the cavities is completely filled.
A system for printing onto a base comprising:
- a control system configured to:
- receive information about depths of cavities on a surface of a base, wherein the received information includes a first depth of each cavity of a plurality of cavities;
- receive an image file of a structure having a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed on the surface of the base;
- adjust the image file based on the first depth of the cavities;
- generate an adjusted image file having a first adjusted thickness, wherein the first adjusted thickness is less than the first depth of one or more cavities;
- and
- transmit the adjusted image file to a printing device;
- and
- the printing device configured to:
- receive the adjusted image file;
- and
- print a base layer directly onto the base using the adjusted image file, wherein the base layer at least partially fills each cavity but does not completely fill the one or more cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.