Patent · US Active

Support structures for additive manufacturing of solid models

US9844917B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
25References
14Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 26, 2014
Grant dateDec 19, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 1, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P90/02
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for support structures for additive manufacturing of solid models. A method includes receiving a solid model, for a physical object to be manufactured, that includes a plurality of boundary representation surfaces. The method includes analyzing the b-rep surfaces to generate point samples for potential support locations. The method includes clustering points on the solid model, corresponding to at least some of the point samples, to create support locations. The method includes generating column supports in the solid model that connect to the original solid model at the support locations. The method includes storing the solid model, including the column supports.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.