Support structure for an object made by means of a rapid prototype production method
US10343389B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an improved method for supporting an object made by means of stereo lithography or any other rapid prototype production method. The generation of the support begins by determining the region that requires support in each layer of the object and defines a number of support points in this region. In a next step, a support mesh is generated connected to the object using these support points. The present invention also discloses different techniques that reduce superfluous edges to further optimize the support mesh. Finally, a support is generated from this support mesh. The present invention may facilitate the generation of supports data by employing more automation and less user analysis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.