Machine-assisted part design with automated design request interpretation
US10908587B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A factory server receives part requests from customer devices and controls one or more manufacturing tools, such as 3D printers, to fabricate the requested parts. The factory server implements several features to streamline the process of fabricating parts using the manufacturing tools. For instance, the factory server can facilitate the design of a part by extracting features from the part request and identifying model files having those features. The factory server can also select an orientation in which to fabricate the part and determine print settings to use when fabricating the part. In addition, the factory server can implement a process to fabricate a three-dimensional part with a two-dimensional image applied to one or more of its external surfaces. Furthermore, the factory server can also generate a layout of multiple part instances on a build plate of a 3D printer so that multiple part instances can be fabricated at once.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.