Digitally-defined three-dimensional (3d) surface profiles for customizable roofing

Abstract

A roofing tile is described featuring a digitally defined three-dimensional surface profile with controlled minimum and maximum heights and a specified average surface roughness (Ra). The topographical map, generated by computer algorithms—potentially using grey-level speckle maps—enables precise assignment of surface elevations and independent control of roughness parameters. This digital map is material-agnostic and applicable to tiles made from materials such as thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), or polymer-modified asphalt. The surface may include granule-like protrusions or other features, with their size and distribution tailored for functional or aesthetic purposes. The digital topographical map may guide manufacturing equipment to form the surface, and compliance may be verified by three-dimensional profiling. Methods for generating and measuring the surface profile, including pseudo-random algorithms and region-specific roughness, are provided, allowing for customizable, repeatable, and high-performance roofing tile surfaces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.