New tool gives structural strength to 3-D printed works
Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Source: Bedrich Benes, 765-496-2954, bbenes@purdue.edu
Related websites:
Bedrich Benes: http://www.tech.purdue.edu/CGT/Faculty-And-Staff/index.cfm?dept=Computer%20Graphics%20Technology&id=120
IMAGE CAPTION:
Bedrich Benes, an associate professor of computer graphics at Purdue University, is working with Advanced Technology Labs of Adobe Inc. to develop a computer program that automatically strengthens objects created using 3-D printing. The innovation is needed because the printed fabrications are often fragile and fall apart or lose their shape, as evidenced by some of the failed or misshapen objects on display here. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)
A publication-quality image is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/2012/benes-3-Dprinting.jpg
ABSTRACT
Stress Relief: Improving Structural Strength of 3-D Printable Objects
Ondrej Stava1 Juraj Vanek1 Bedrich Benes1 Nathan Carr2 Radomır Mech2
1 Purdue University 2 Adobe Systems Incorporated
The use of 3-D printing has rapidly expanded in the past couple of years. It is now possible to produce 3-D-printed objects with exceptionally high fidelity and precision. However, although the quality of 3-D printing has improved, both the time to print and the material costs have remained high. Moreover, there is no guarantee that a printed model is structurally sound. The printed product often does not survive cleaning, transportation, or handling, or it may even collapse under its own weight. We present a system that addresses this issue by providing automatic detection and correction of the problematic cases. The structural problems are detected by combining a lightweight structural analysis solver with 3-D medial axis approximations. After areas with high structural stress are found, the model is corrected by combining three approaches: hollowing, thickening, and strut insertion. Both detection and correction steps are repeated until the problems have been eliminated. Our process is designed to create a model that is visually similar to the original model but possessing greater structural integrity.
Source: Bedrich Benes, 765-496-2954, bbenes@purdue.edu
Related websites:
Bedrich Benes: http://www.tech.purdue.edu/CGT/Faculty-And-Staff/index.cfm?dept=Computer%20Graphics%20Technology&id=120
IMAGE CAPTION:
Bedrich Benes, an associate professor of computer graphics at Purdue University, is working with Advanced Technology Labs of Adobe Inc. to develop a computer program that automatically strengthens objects created using 3-D printing. The innovation is needed because the printed fabrications are often fragile and fall apart or lose their shape, as evidenced by some of the failed or misshapen objects on display here. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)
A publication-quality image is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/2012/benes-3-Dprinting.jpg
ABSTRACT
Stress Relief: Improving Structural Strength of 3-D Printable Objects
Ondrej Stava1 Juraj Vanek1 Bedrich Benes1 Nathan Carr2 Radomır Mech2
1 Purdue University 2 Adobe Systems Incorporated
The use of 3-D printing has rapidly expanded in the past couple of years. It is now possible to produce 3-D-printed objects with exceptionally high fidelity and precision. However, although the quality of 3-D printing has improved, both the time to print and the material costs have remained high. Moreover, there is no guarantee that a printed model is structurally sound. The printed product often does not survive cleaning, transportation, or handling, or it may even collapse under its own weight. We present a system that addresses this issue by providing automatic detection and correction of the problematic cases. The structural problems are detected by combining a lightweight structural analysis solver with 3-D medial axis approximations. After areas with high structural stress are found, the model is corrected by combining three approaches: hollowing, thickening, and strut insertion. Both detection and correction steps are repeated until the problems have been eliminated. Our process is designed to create a model that is visually similar to the original model but possessing greater structural integrity.