US 12,436,519 B2
Generating conformal structures for 3D object models
Nicholas Saunders, Vancouver, WA (US); David Woodlock, Vancouver, WA (US); and James McCutcheon, Vancouver, WA (US)
Assigned to Peridot Print LLC, Palo Alo (CA)
Appl. No. 18/032,289
Filed by Peridot Print LLC, Palo Alto, CA (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 28, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/057758
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 17, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/093216, PCT Pub. Date May 5, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0400834 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 7/48 (2006.01); B22F 10/30 (2021.01); B28B 1/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); G05B 19/4099 (2006.01); B29C 64/165 (2017.01); B29D 99/00 (2010.01); B29L 31/60 (2006.01)
CPC G05B 19/4099 (2013.01) [B22F 10/30 (2021.01); B28B 1/001 (2013.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B29C 64/165 (2017.08); B29D 99/0089 (2013.01); B29L 2031/608 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
generating, by a processor, a three-dimensional (3D) object model of a conformal structure to include within a 3D object model of a part to be fabricated via additive manufacturing using an additive manufacturing apparatus, the part having bottom and top curved surfaces, wherein generating the 3D object model of the conformal structure comprises:
generating bottom and top curved surfaces of the conformal structure that correspond to the bottom and top curved surfaces of the part;
positioning seed points on a seed surface corresponding to the top curved surface of the conformal structure, the bottom curved surface of the conformal structure, or a surface between the bottom and top curved surfaces of the conformal structure;
three-dimensionally expanding the seed points as spheres until each sphere intersects with neighboring spheres, such that geodesics joining intersections of neighboring spheres along the seed surface correspond to walls of cells; and
normally extending the walls of the cells from the seed surface until the walls fully intersect the bottom and top curved surfaces of the conformal structure;
modifying, by the processor, the 3D object model of the part to be fabricated to include the 3D object model of the conformal structure between the bottom and top curved surfaces of the part; and
causing the additive manufacturing apparatus to fabricate the part in accordance with the 3D object model of the part as has been modified,
wherein the additive manufactured apparatus fabricates the part in accordance with the object model of the part as has been modified by, on a layer-by-layer basis:
spreading a layer of build material over a build platform; and
selectively solidifying a portion of the layer in accordance with the 3D object model of the part as has been modified.