Techniques for slicing a 3D model for manufacturing
AssigneeAutodesk, Inc.
InventorsJohnathan Bachrach, Saul Griffith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment of the invention is a slicing engine that generates two or more slices of a virtual 3D model given a slice plane. The slicing engine then determines connection points on each of the slices that indicate how the 3D model is to be reconnected by the user when the 3D model is fabricated. The slicing engine also determines an optimized layout for the various slices of the 3D model on fabrication material for minimal use of the material. The user is then able to “print” the layout on the fabrication material via 3D printers, and connect the various printed slices according to the connection points to build a physical representation of the 3D model.
Claims21
A computer-implemented method for identifying locations on two slices associated with a three-dimensional (3D) model where the two slices are configured to be connected, the method comprising:
- determining that a first slice associated with the 3D model is to be connected to a second slice associated with the 3D model, wherein the first slice and the second slice comprise consecutive slices to be fabricated from one or more sheets of a manufacturing material and resulting from the 3D model being sliced along at least one axis;
- generating a first grid associated with the first slice and a second grid associated with a second slice;
- identifying a first location on the first grid;
- identifying a second location on the second grid that is a pre-determined distance from a first boundary of the second grid;
- identifying a first connection location on the first slice that corresponds to the first location on the first grid and a second connection location on the second slice that corresponds to the second location on the second grid;
- and
- associating both of the first connection location and the second connection location with the same unique identifier, wherein the first slice and the second slice are configured to be connected at the first connection location and the second connection location,
- wherein identifying the first location on the first grid comprises overlaying the first grid on the second grid, and identifying a first cell of the first grid that overlaps with a second cell of the second grid and is the pre-determined distance from the first boundary, wherein the first cell and the second cell correspond to the first location.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to identify locations on two slices associated with a three-dimensional (3D) model where the two slices are configured to be connected, by performing the steps of:
- determining that a first slice associated with the 3D model is to be connected to a second slice associated with the 3D model, wherein the first slice and the second slice comprise consecutive slices to be fabricated from one or more sheets of a manufacturing material and resulting from the 3D model being sliced along at least one axis;
- generating a first grid associated with the first slice and a second grid associated with a second slice;
- identifying a first location on the first grid;
- identifying a second location on the second grid that is a pre-determined distance from a first boundary of the second grid;
- identifying a first connection location on the first slice that corresponds to the first location on the first grid and a second connection location on the second slice that corresponds to the second location on the second grid;
- and
- associating both of the first connection location and the second connection location with the same unique identifier, wherein the first slice and the second slice are configured to be connected at the first connection location and the second connection location,
- wherein identifying the first location on the first grid comprises overlaying the first grid on the second grid, and identifying a first cell of the first grid that overlaps with a second cell of the second grid and is the pre-determined distance from the first boundary, wherein the first cell and the second cell correspond to the first location.
A computer system, comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- determine that a first slice associated with the 3D model is to be connected to a second slice associated with the 3D model, wherein the first slice and the second slice comprise consecutive slices to be fabricated from one or more sheets of a manufacturing material and resulting from the 3D model being sliced along at least one axis,
- generate a first grid associated with the first slice and a second grid associated with a second slice,
- identify a first location on the first grid,
- identify a second location on the second grid that is a pre-determined distance from a first boundary of the second grid,
- identify a first connection location on the first slice that corresponds to the first location on the first grid and a second connection location on the second slice that corresponds to the second location on the second grid;
- and
- associate both of the first connection location and the second connection location with the same unique identifier, wherein the first slice and the second slice are configured to be connected at the first connection location and the second connection location,
- wherein identifying the first location on the first grid comprises overlaying the first grid on the second grid, and identifying a first cell of the first grid that overlaps with a second cell of the second grid and is the pre-determined distance from the first boundary, wherein the first cell and the second cell correspond to the first location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.