SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to control of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device.

BACKGROUND

Improvements in computing technologies and material processing technologies have led to an increased interest in computer-driven additive manufacturing techniques, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. Generally, 3D printing is performed using a 3D printer device that includes an extruder, one or more actuators, and a controller coupled to some form of structural alignment system, such as a frame. The controller is configured to control the extruder and the actuators to deposit material, such as a polymer-based material, in a controlled arrangement to form a physical object.

SUMMARY

In a particular implementation, a method includes obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The method further includes processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object. The plurality of layers include a first layer and a second layer, where the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. The method further includes generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In another particular implementation, a method includes obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object and generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. The method also includes generating second machine instructions executable by the 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting.

In a particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage device stores instructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The operations also include processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material. The second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. The operations also include generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage device stores instructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The operations also include generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting. The pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. The operations also include generating second machine instructions executable by the 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting.

In a particular embodiment, a computing device includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The operations also include processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object. The plurality of layers include a first layer and a second layer, where the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. The operations also include generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a computing device includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The operations also include generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, where the pressure setting indicates a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. The operations also include generating second machine instructions executable by the 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting.

In a particular embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printer device includes one or more extruders configured to deposit a first material and a second material on a deposition platform to generate a physical model of an object. The physical model includes a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, where the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to the first material and a second region corresponding to the second material, and the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. The 3D printer device also includes an actuator coupled to the one or more extruders, the deposition platform, or a combination thereof. The 3D printer device also includes a controller coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the one or more extruders to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region, after depositing the portion of the first material, to cause the one or more extruders to deposit a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printer device includes a syringe extruder configured to deposit a material on a deposition platform at a flowrate based on a pressure regulator setting. The 3D printer device also includes an actuator coupled to the syringe extruder, to the pressure regulator, to the deposition platform, or to a combination thereof. The 3D printer device further includes a controller coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the syringe extruder to deposit, based on a first value of the pressure regulator setting, a first portion of the material at a first flowrate to form a first portion of a physical model and to cause the syringe extruder to deposit, based on a second value of the pressure regulator setting, a second portion of the material at a second flowrate to form a second portion of the physical model.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving machine instructions that enable a 3D printer to generate a physical model of an object. The physical model includes a plurality of layers that includes a first layer and a second layer, where the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. The method also includes depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region. The method further includes, after depositing the portion of the first material, depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving first machine instructions associated with a first portion of a physical model of an object and second machine instructions associated with a second portion of the physical model. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, where the pressure setting indicates a first pressure to be applied to a syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, where the second value different from the first value. The method also includes depositing, using the syringe extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a material at a first flowrate to form the first portion based on the first machine instructions. The method further includes depositing, using the syringe extruder, another portion of the material at a second flowrate to form the second portion based on the second machine instructions. The first flowrate is different from the second flowrate.

In another particular implementation, a method includes obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3D model includes a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material. The method also includes processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object. The method further includes identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion. The method also includes generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique.

In a particular implementation, a computer-readable storage device stores instructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3D model includes a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material. The operations also include processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object. The operations further include identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion. The operations also include generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique.

In a particular embodiment, a computing device includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3D model includes a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material. The operations also include processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object. The operations further include identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion. The operations also include generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique.

In a particular embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printer device includes a first extruder configured to deposit a first material on a deposition platform and a second extruder configured to deposit a second material on the deposition platform. The 3D printer device also includes an actuator coupled to the first extruder, to the second extruder, to the deposition platform, or to a combination thereof. The 3D printer device also includes a controller coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the first extruder to deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with an elongated feature of a physical model of an object. The elongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion. The controller is further configured to cause the second extruder to deposit a portion of the second material to form a portion of the elongated feature according to a point-deposition technique.

In an embodiment, a method includes receiving machine instructions that enable generating a physical model of an object including an elongated feature, where the elongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion. The method also includes depositing, using a first extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature of the physical model. The method further includes depositing, using a second extruder of the 3D printer device, a portion of a second material to form a portion of the elongated feature according to a point-deposition technique, where the point-deposition technique causes the portion of the second material to be deposited within the opening.

Features, functions, and advantages described herein can be achieved independently in various implementations or may be combined in yet other implementations, further details of which are disclosed with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a system that includes a three-dimensional (3D) printing device, according to a particular embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate extruding material having particular line widths by a 3D printing device, according to particular embodiments;

FIGS. 3A, and 3B illustrate extruding material having particular line heights by a 3D printing device, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrate extruding material to fill an opening according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrate extruding material to fill an offset distance according to particular embodiments;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate various stages during modeling, slicing and printing of a physical model;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example of a method that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may be performed by the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A 3D printer may be a peripheral device that includes an interface to a computing device. For example, the computing device may be used to generate or access a 3D model of an object. In this example, a computer-aided design (CAD) program may be used to generate the 3D model. A slicer application may process the 3D model to generate commands that are executable by the 3D printer to form a physical model of the object. For example, the slicer application may generate G-code (or other machine instructions) that instructs the controller of the 3D printer when and where to move the extruder and provides information regarding 3D printer settings, such as extruder temperature, material feed rate, extruder movement direction, extruder movement speed, among others.

The slicer application may generate the G-code or machine instructions by dividing the 3D model into layers (also referred to as “slices”). The slicer application determines a pattern of material to be deposited to form a physical model of each slice. Generally, the physical model of each slice is formed as a series or set of lines of extruded material. The G-code (or other machine instructions), when executed by the controller of the 3D printer, causes the extruder to deposit a set of lines of the material in a pattern to form each layer, and one layer is stacked upon another to form the physical model. Layer stacking arrangements or support members can also be used to form lines of the material that are partially unsupported (e.g., arches).

There are many ways that the slicer application can arrange the pattern of materials to be deposited to form each layer. Characteristics of a 3D print job may vary depending on how the slicer application arranges the pattern lines that make up each of the layers. For example, two different patterns of lines may have different printing characteristics, such as an amount of time used to print the physical model, an amount of material used to print the physical model, etc. As another example, two different patterns of lines may result in physical models that have different characteristics, such as interlayer adhesion, weight, durability, etc. Accordingly, different slicer applications or different settings or configurations of the slicer application can affect the outcome of a particular 3D print job.

In a particular embodiment, a 3D printer may include more than one print head or more than one extruder. Different types of extruders may be used to deposit different types of materials (e.g., physically or chemically distinct materials). For example, a filament-fed extruder may be used to deposit thermoplastic polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymers, and polyamide, among others. Paste extruders, such as pneumatic or syringe extruders, may be used to deposit materials that are flowable at room temperature (or at a temperature controlled by the 3D printer). Examples of materials that may be deposited using syringe extruders include silicone polymers, polyurethane, epoxy polymers. syringe extruders may be especially useful to deposit materials that undergo curing upon exposure to air or when mixed together (such as multi-component epoxies).

Some 3D printers include multiple extruders to improve print speed or to enable printing with multiple different materials. For example, a first extruder may be used to deposit a first material, and a second extruder may be used to deposit second material. In this example, the first and second materials may have different visual, physical, electrical, chemical, mechanical, and/or other properties. To illustrate, the first material may have a first color, and the second material may have a second color. As another illustrative example, the first material may have first chemical characteristics (e.g., may be a thermoplastic polymer), and the second material may have a second chemical characteristics (e.g., may be a thermoset polymer). As yet another illustrative example, the first material may be substantially non-conductive, and the second material may be conductive. In this example, the first material may be used to form a structure or matrix, and the second material may be used to form conductive lines or electrical components (e.g., capacitors, resistors, inductors) of a circuit.

When a 3D printer uses multiple extruders to deposit multiple materials, determining when to switch between extruders can be challenging. For example, if an object being printed is formed of two different materials (e.g., a first material deposited by a first extruder and a second material deposited by a second extruder), a single layer of the object may include a region of the first material and a region of the second material. Switching extruders multiple times to print a single layer is time consuming and inefficient. Accordingly, the slicer application may be configured to reduce a number of tool swaps (i.e., changing from using the first extruder to using the second extruder, or vice versa). To illustrate, the region of the first material may be deposited before the region of the second material.

Further, in some implementations, regions of multiple layers of the first material may be deposited before the second material is deposited in regions of the multiple layers. For example, a first layer may include a first region associated with the first material and a second region associated with the second material. In this example, a second layer that is immediately adjacent to the first layer may include a third region associated with the first material and a fourth region associated with the second material. In this example, portions of the first material may be deposited to form the first region and the third regions. Subsequently, portions of the second material may be deposited to form the second region and the fourth region. Thus, some of the second material may be deposited on a layer below a highest layer of the first material that has been previously deposited.

In some instances, a 3D model may include a feature associated with one material that extends through multiple layers of the other material. For example, the feature may include a conductive feature (e.g. a wire formed of a conductive material) that is positioned such that it extends between multiple layers of a non-conductive material (e.g., a matrix material). In this example, the wire may have a relatively small cross-section in each layer. Conventional deposition techniques move an extruder laterally (e.g., in an X-Y plane) as material is extruded; however, due to the small cross-section of wires, and other extended features, lateral motion of the extruder may be inconvenient. In a particular embodiment, such extended features may be formed according to a point-deposition technique. To use the point-deposition technique, one or more layers of the matrix material may be deposited to form an opening (or hole). A second material (e.g., the conductive material) may be deposited in the opening according to the point-deposition technique. The point-deposition technique may control a flow rate and dwell time of the extruder such that enough of the second material is deposited to substantially fill the opening. If multiple layers of the matrix material are deposited before the second material is deposited, an end of the extruder may be positioned with the opening (e.g., below an upper layer of the matrix material). The extruder may begin extruding the second material, and the extruder may move vertically (e.g., along a Z-axis) relative to the physical model being formed. For example, a deposition platform may be moved away from the extruder. As another example, the extruder may be moved away from the deposition platform. Thus, multiple layers of the second material may be deposited together according to the point-deposition technique. Depositing multiple layers of the second material together may improve interlayer adhesion. Additionally, if the second material is conductive, depositing multiple layers of the second material together may improve electrical properties of a wire formed using the second material.

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of a system 100 that includes a 3D printer device 101 and a computing device 102. A communication interface 146 of the 3D printer device 101 may be coupled, via a communications bus 170, to a communication interface 105 of the computing device 102. The bus 170 may include a wired or wireless communications interface. The 3D printer device 101 is configured to generate physical models of objects based on a 3D model or commands based on model data.

In a particular embodiment, the computing device 102 includes a processor 103 and a memory 104. The memory 104 may include a computer readable storage device (e.g., a physical, hardware device, which is not merely a signal), such as a volatile or non-volatile memory device. The computing device 102 may include a 3D modeling application 106. The 3D modeling application 106 may enable generation of 3D models, which can be used to generate model data 107 descriptive of the 3D models. For example, the 3D modeling application 106 may include a computer-aided design application.

The computing device 102 or the 3D printer device 101 includes a slicer application 108. The slicer application 108 may be configured to process the model data 107 to generate commands 109 that the 3D printer device 101 (or portions thereof) uses during generation of a physical model of an object represented by the model data 107. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the commands 109 may include G-code commands or other machine instructions that are executable by the 3D printer device 101 (or a portion thereof). The computing device 102 may also include a communications interface 105 that may be coupled via the communication bus 170 to the 3D printer device 101. For example, the 3D printer device 101 may be a peripheral device that is coupled via a communication port to the computing device 102.

The 3D printer device 101 includes a frame 110 and support members 111 arranged to support various components at the 3D printer device 101. In particular embodiments, the 3D printer device 101 may include a deposition platform 112. In other embodiments, the 3D printer device 101 does not include a deposition platform 112 and another substrate or surface may be used for deposition. The 3D printer device 101 also includes one or more printheads. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the 3D printer device 101 includes a first printhead 113 and an Nth printhead 115.

Although two particular printheads are illustrated in FIG. 1, in other embodiments, the 3D printer device 101 may include more than two printheads or fewer than two printheads. Each printhead 113,115 includes a corresponding extruder with an extruder tip. For example, the first printhead 113 includes a syringe extruder 130 having a tip 131, and the Nth printhead 115 includes an Nth extruder 134 including a tip 135. The Nth extruder 134 may include another syringe extruder or another type of extruder, such as a filament-fed extruder.

The controller 141 may control one or more actuators 143 to move the deposition platform 112 relative to the printheads 113, 115, to move the printheads 113, 115 relative to the deposition platform 112, or both. For example, in a particular configuration, the deposition platform 112 may be configured to move in a Z direction 140. In this example, the printheads 113, 115 may be configured to move in an X direction 138 and a Y direction 139 relative to the deposition platform 112. Thus, movement of one or more printheads 113, 115 relative to the deposition platform 112 may involve movement of the deposition platform 112, movement of one or more of the printheads 113, 115, or movement of both the deposition platform 112 and the printheads 113, 115. In other examples, the deposition platform 112 may be stationary, and one or more of the printheads 113, 115 may be moved. In yet other examples, the one or more printheads 113, 115 may be stationary, and the deposition platform 112 may be moved.

The controller 141 may also be coupled to a control system associated with the syringe extruder 130. For example, the syringe extruder 130 may include a plunger 132 that is movable to force material through the tip 131. The plunger 132 may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically controlled. For example, in the implementation illustrated in FIG. 1, the plunger 132 is coupled to a pressurized fluid source 164 via a pressure regulator 160 and a valve 162. In this example, a position of the valve 162 (e.g., open or closed) is controlled by the controller 141 to control when the syringe extruder 130 extrudes material. To illustrate, to begin deposition of the material, the controller 141 causes the valve 162 to be moved to an open position, and to stop deposition of the material, the controller 141 causes the valve 162 to be moved to a closed position. A pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may be controlled by the controller 141 to control an extrusion rate (e.g., a material flowrate) of the syringe extruder 130. To illustrate, to increase the flowrate, the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may be increased to apply more pressure to the plunger 132. Conversely, to decrease the flowrate, the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may be decreased to apply less pressure to the plunger 132. Although the valve 162 is illustrated between the pressurized fluid source 164 and the pressure regulator 160 in FIG. 1, in other implementations, the pressure regulator 160 may be positioned between the valve 162 and the pressurized fluid source 164.

The 3D printer device 101 may also include a memory 142 accessible to the controller 141. The memory 142 may include a computer readable storage device (e.g., a physical, hardware device, which is not merely a signal), such as a volatile or non-volatile memory device. In a particular embodiment, the memory 142 includes calibration data 148. The calibration data 148 may include information that indicates relative positions of the printheads 113, 115. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1, the printheads 113, 115 may be independently movable by corresponding actuators 143 or may be movable together by one or more actuators 143. The calibration data 148 may indicate distances between printheads 113-115, extruder tips 131, 135, or both. The calibration data 148 may include extrusion rates or deposition rates associated with one or more of the printheads 113, 115 based on particular control parameters, such as temperature of the extruder or extruder tip, pressure applied to the extruder or extruder tip, a type of material being deposited, a material feed rate, or a combination thereof. For example, the calibration data 148 may include rheology data based on temperature associated with one or more materials deposited by the extruders 130, 134.

The memory 142 may also include settings 150. The settings 150 may include control parameters or other values used by the controller 141 to control components of the 3D printer device 101. For example, the settings 150 may indicate a value of the pressure setting for the pressure regulator 160. In other examples, the settings 150 may indicate a target or actual deposition platform temperature, extruder or extruder tip temperature, filament feed rate, or other information. The settings 150 may be updated of modified by a user (e.g., via a user interface, not shown), by the computing device 102 (e.g., via the commands 109), or via feedback or control input from one or more sensors of the 3D printer device 101 (such as a temperature sensor 133 associated with the first printhead 113).

In a particular embodiment, the memory 142 may also include pressure-flowrate data 152 that indicates a relationship between pressure applied to the plunger 132 and a flowrate of the syringe extruder 130. The pressure-flowrate data 152 may be temperature dependent. To illustrate, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may specify a first relationship between the pressure and the flowrate associated with first temperature or temperature range, and may specify a second relationship between the pressure and the flowrate associated with second temperature or temperature range. In this embodiment, the controller 141 may update the settings 150 occasionally or periodically based on a temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 133. For example, the pressure setting of the settings 150 may be updated when the temperature changes from the first temperature to the second temperature.

The memory 142 may also include point-deposition technique instructions 154. The point-deposition technique instruction 154 include instructions that enable formation features that have a cross-section within a particular layer (or multiple layers) that satisfy a point-deposition criterion (such as being too small to extruder while moving the printheads 113, 115 in the X direction 138, in the Y direction 139, or both. Examples of point-deposition techniques are described further with reference to FIGS. 6-10. The point-deposition technique instructions 154 may be applied to commands provided by an external computing device, such as the computing device 102, in order to improve interlayer adhesion or other properties (e.g., electrical properties) of small, low aspect ratio features within a layer or extending between layers.

Accordingly, the 3D printer device 101 enables use of multiple printheads 113, 115 with multiple distinct materials. Further, the 3D printer device 101 includes data, settings and instructions that improve printing using a syringe type extruder, such as the syringe extruder 130. For example, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may be used to determine a pressure setting for the pressure regulator 160 based on, for example, a target line width, a target line height, a temperature associated with the first printhead 113, other information, or a combination thereof. As another example, the point-deposition technique instruction 154 may be used to control deposition by the syringe extruder 130 of material to form small, low aspect ratio features within a layer or extending between layers.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate use pressure (e.g. a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160) and velocity (e.g., a rate of motion in the X direction 138, in the Y direction 139, in the Z direction 140, or in a combination thereof, such as during conformal printing with concurrent motion in the X, Y and Z directions 138-140) to control line width of material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 of FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2A illustrates line width of a line 202 deposited at a constant velocity while changing the pressure setting. FIG. 2B illustrates line width of a line 210 deposited at a constant pressure setting while changing the velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130.

In FIG. 2A, the pressure setting has a first value during a first time 204 and has a second value during a second time 206. The second value is greater than the first value; thus, the plunger 132 of the syringe extruder 130 is subject to higher pressure during the second time 206 than during the first time 204. Due to the pressure difference, the line 202 has a first line width during the first time 204 and has a second line width during the second time 206. The first line width is less than the second line width because, although the velocity of the syringe extruder 130 is constant, the flowrate of material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 during the second time 206 is greater than the flowrate of material during the first time 204 as a result of the increased pressure. The increased flowrate (with the same extruder velocity) causes the material deposited during the second time 206 to spread out more than the material deposited during the first time 204.

Further, the pressure setting has a third value during a third time 208. The third value is less than the first value; thus, the syringe extruder 130 is subject to less pressure during the third time 208 than during the first time 204. Accordingly, during the third time 208, the line 202 has a third line width that is less than the first line width. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may include a table, a set of tables, an algorithm, a set of algorithms, or other information that enables the controller 141 to determine a value of the pressure setting based on a target line width (e.g., a desired line width at a particular time), a velocity of the syringe extruder 130, a temperature associated with the syringe extruder 130, or a combination thereof.

In FIG. 2B, the pressure is constant; however, the velocity has a first value during a first time 212 and has a second value during a second time 214. The second value is less than the first value; thus, the syringe extruder 130 has a constant flowrate, but a reduced velocity during the second time 214. Due to the velocity difference, the line 210 has a first line width during the first time 212 and has a second line width during the second time 214. The first line width is less than the second line width. The decreased velocity causes the material deposited during the second time 214 to spread out more than the material deposited during the first time 212.

Further, the velocity has a third value during a third time 216. The third value is greater than the first value. Accordingly, during the third time 216, the line 210 has a third line width that is less than the first line width. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may include information that enables the controller 141 to determine a value of the velocity of the syringe extruder 130 based on a target line width (e.g., a desired line width at a particular time), a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160, a temperature associated with the syringe extruder 130, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate use pressure (e.g. a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160) and velocity (e.g., a rate of motion in the X direction 138, in the Y direction 139, or a combination thereof) to control line height of material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 of FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 3A illustrates line height of a line 302 deposited at a constant velocity while changing the pressure setting. FIG. 2B illustrates line width of a line 310 deposited at a constant pressure setting while changing the velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130.

In FIG. 3A, the pressure setting has a first value during a first time 304 and has a second value during a second time 306. The second value is greater than the first value; thus, the plunger 132 of the syringe extruder 130 is subject to higher pressure during the second time 306 than during the first time 304. Due to the pressure difference, the line 302 has a first line height during the first time 304 and has a second line height during the second time 306. The first line height is less than the second line height because, although the velocity of the syringe extruder 130 is constant, the flowrate of material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 during the second time 306 is greater than the flowrate of material during the first time 304 as a result of the increased pressure. The increased flowrate (with the same extruder velocity) causes the material deposited during the second time 306 to pile up more than the material deposited during the first time 304

Further, the pressure setting has a third value during a third time 308. The third value is less than the first value; thus, the syringe extruder 130 is subject to less pressure during the third time 308 than during the first time 304. Accordingly, during the third time 308, the line 302 has a third line height that is less than the first line height. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may include a table, a set of tables, an algorithm, a set of algorithms, or other information that enables the controller 141 to determine a value of the pressure setting based on a target line height (e.g., a desired line height at a particular time), a velocity of the syringe extruder 130, a temperature associated with the syringe extruder 130, or a combination thereof.

In FIG. 3B, the pressure is constant; however, the velocity has a first value during a first time 312 and has a second value during a second time 314. The second value is less than the first value; thus, the syringe extruder 130 has a constant flowrate, but a reduced velocity during the second time 314. Due to the velocity difference, the line 310 has a first line height during the first time 312 and has a second line height during the second time 314. The first line height is less than the second line height. The decreased velocity causes the material deposited during the second time 314 to pile up more than the material deposited during the first time 312.

Further, the velocity has a third value during a third time 316. The third value is greater than the first value. Accordingly, during the third time 316, the line 310 has a third line height that is less than the first line height. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may include information that enables the controller 141 to determine a value of the velocity of the syringe extruder 130 based on a target line height (e.g., a desired line height at a particular time), a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160, a temperature associated with the syringe extruder 130, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates several examples of using pressure, velocity, or both, to control a quantity of material deposited at a particular location (e.g., a line width, a line height, or both). FIG. 4 illustrates the syringe extruder 130 depositing lines of material within openings 404, 414, 424 formed in another material. For example, the Nth extruder 134 of FIG. 1 may be used to deposit a matrix material 402 to form a portion of an object corresponding to a 3D model. The matrix material 402 may define the openings 404, 414, 424.

In a first example 400, the first opening 404 has a first width. In the first example 400, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to a first pressure value, and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringe extruder 130 at a first velocity (e.g., in the X direction 138, in the Y direction 139, or a combination thereof). The first pressure value and the first velocity are selected to enable the syringe extruder 130 to deposit at least a sufficient quantity of material to form a line 406 that extends to each edge of the opening 404. For example, the first line 406 may have a first line width 408 that is substantially equal to a width of the opening 404.

In a second example 410, the second opening 414 has a second width. The second width of the second opening 414 is greater than the first width of the first opening 404. To deposit at least a sufficient quantity of material to form a line 416 that extends to each edge of the opening 414, the velocity, the flowrate, or both, of the syringe extruder 130 may be controlled. For example, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to a second pressure value and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringe extruder 130 at the first velocity. In this example, the second pressure value is greater than the first pressure value used in the first example 400.

Alternatively, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to the first pressure value and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringe extruder 130 at the third velocity. In this example, the third velocity is less than the first velocity used in the first example 400.

In a third example 420, the third opening 424 has a third width. The third width of the third opening 424 is less than the first width of the first opening 404. To deposit at least a sufficient quantity of material to form a line 426 that extends to each edge of the opening 424, the velocity, the flowrate, or both, of the syringe extruder 130 may be controlled. For example, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to a third pressure value and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringe extruder 130 at the first velocity. In this example, the third pressure value is less than the first pressure value used in the first example 400.

Alternatively, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to the first pressure value and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringe extruder 130 at the second velocity. In this example, the second velocity is less than the first velocity used in the first example 400.

Although three examples 400, 410, and 420 are illustrated in FIG. 4, other examples are possible. To illustrate, both the pressure and the velocity may be controlled to achieve a target line width. Further, during formation of a single physical model, different pressure values, different velocities, or both, may be used to achieve different target line widths.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of using pressure, velocity, or both, to control a quantity of material deposited at a particular location (e.g., a line width, a line height, or both). FIG. 5 illustrates the syringe extruder 130 depositing lines of material within an opening 500 formed in another material. For example, the Nth extruder 134 of FIG. 1 may be used to deposit the matrix material 402 to form a portion of an object corresponding to a 3D model. The matrix material 402 may define the opening 500 (only a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 5).

The tip of the syringe extruder 130 had an orifice through which material is extruded. The orifice has a first dimension (e.g., an inner diameter) that is different from a second dimension (e.g., an outer diameter) of an outer surface of the tip of the syringe extruder 130. Further, in some embodiments, the tip of the syringe extruder 130 is tapered (as illustrated in FIG. 5). Accordingly, the tip of the syringe extruder 130 may be positioned at an offset distance 504 from a wall of the opening 500 when the syringe extruder 130 is depositing material. Depositing material at the offset distance 504 from the wall of the opening 500 may lead to issues with the physical model. For example, if a line 508 deposited closest to the wall does not contact the wall, the physical model material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 may not adhere sufficiently to the material 402.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the line 508 deposited closest to the wall has a first line width 506, and other lines 512 deposited further from the wall have a second line width 510. The first line width 506 and the second line width are controlled based on pressure applied to the plunger 132 of the syringe extruder 130, velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130, or both. For example, when forming the line 508 closest to the wall a higher value of the pressure setting may be used than when forming the other lines 512. Alternatively, or in addition, when forming the line 508 closest to the wall a lower velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130 may be used than when forming the other lines 512. Thus, different pressure settings may be used to form a single physical model or portions of a single layer of the single physical model.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate several aspects of forming a physical model of an object corresponding to a 3D model using a syringe extruder. Each of FIGS. 6-10 includes a perspective view and a front view.

FIG. 6 illustrates 3D model 602 of an object. For example, the 3D model 602 may be represented by the model data 107 of FIG. 1. In this example, the 3D model 602 may include one or more solid body models formed using a 3D computer-aided design (CAD) application, such as the 3D modeling application 106 of FIG. 1. The 3D model includes a first portion (a body 604) corresponding to a first material and a second portion (e.g., a feature 606) corresponding to a second material. For example the body 604 may correspond to a matrix material (e.g., a non-conductive structural polymer), and the feature 606 may correspond to a filler material (e.g., a conductive polymer forming at least part of an electrical interconnect).

FIG. 7 illustrates a sliced model 702 formed based on the 3D model 602. For example, the sliced model 702 may include a plurality of slices 708. The sliced model 702 may be formed by the slicer application 108 based on the model data 107 representing the 3D model 602.

In FIG. 7, each slice corresponds to a layer to be printed by a 3D printing device (such as the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1) to form a physical model of the object. Each of the slices may include one or more regions, with each region corresponding to a single material. For example, a first slice 710 (e.g., the bottom slice in FIG. 7) may include only a single region, indicating that a layer corresponding to the first slice 710 is to be printed entirely of a first material. However, a second slice 712 (e.g., a top slice in FIG. 7) may include two regions, i.e., a first region 704 corresponding to the first material and a second region 714 corresponding to a second material. Thus, printing the second slice 712 includes depositing a portion of the first material to form the first region 704 and depositing a portion of the second material to form the second region 714.

The second region 712 is a portion of a feature (e.g., the electrical interconnect described with reference to FIG. 6) that extends through multiple slices of the sliced model 702 (and accordingly, when formed will extend through multiple layers of the physical model of the object). The slicer application 108 may analyze the feature to determine whether the feature satisfies a point-deposition criterion. For example, if the feature has a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., a length, a width, a diameter, an aspect ratio, or a combination thereof) within one or more slices, the feature may satisfy the point-deposition criterion. To illustrate, the point-deposition criterion may be satisfied if the feature has an aspect ratio that is less than an aspect ratio threshold, has a diameter (or length) that is less than a length threshold, has a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area threshold, or has a combination thereof (e.g., has an aspect ratio that is less than an aspect ratio threshold and has a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area threshold). The point-deposition criterion may be determined based on characteristics of the 3D printing device that will be used to form a physical model of the sliced model 702. For example, for a particular 3D printing device, such as the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1, thresholds for the point-deposition criterion may be selected based on a minimum reliable line length of the 3D printer device 101. The minimum reliable line length refers to a length of a smallest length of a line that can be deposited by the 3D printing device while maintaining desired characteristics, such as interlayer adhesion, electrical characteristics (e.g., if the material being deposited in conductive), etc.

For example, a first part of the feature may extend along a single slice and may have a first interlayer feature dimension 720. In this example, a second part of the feature may extend more or less vertically through several slices and may have a second interlayer feature dimension 722. The first interlayer feature dimension 720 may not satisfy the point-deposition criterion since the first part has a large aspect ratio and a large length within the single slice. However, the second interlayer feature dimension 722 may satisfy the point-deposition criterion in multiple slices since the second part has a small aspect ratio and a small length in each of the multiple slices.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified sliced model 802 based on the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. The modified sliced model 802 may include one or more modified slices 804, which are modified relative to slices of the sliced model 702. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the modified slices 804 are modified to enable forming the second region 712 of FIG. 7 according to a point deposition techniques.

For example, the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 may have a tapering shape, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The second region 712 of the feature that extends through multiple slices in the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7 has a shape 806 illustrated in FIG. 8. The shape 806 of the second region 712 satisfies the point-deposition criterion in each slice that is modified in FIG. 8. For example, the shape 806 is only slightly larger than an outer dimension of the tip 131 of the syringe extruder.

In the example of FIG. 8, multiple slices have been modified to accommodate the tip 131. For example, in the top seven slices of FIG. 8, the shape 806 has been modified to provide an opening sufficiently large for the tip 131 to extend within layers corresponding to the slices (as illustrated in FIG. 9). Thus, the modified slices 804 enable use of a point deposition technique in which the tip 131 is positioned below an upper surface of a physical model, and the tip 131 is used to extrude material while moving vertically (e.g., in a Z direction 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10) rather than laterally (e.g. in the X direction 138, the Y direction 139, or both).

FIG. 9 illustrates a first stage during formation of a physical model 902 corresponding to the modified sliced model 802. For example, a plurality of layers 908 of a first material 904 have been deposited leaving an opening 910 in each layer that corresponds to one of the modified slices 804. The opening 910 in each layer is to accommodate the tip 131 and to receive a second material 906 deposited according to a point-deposition technique. In FIG. 9, the tip 131 is moved vertically (e.g., in the Z direction) to insert the tip 131 into openings 910 within layers of the first material 904.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second stage during formation of the physical model 902 corresponding to the modified sliced model 802. The second stage may be subsequent to the first stage illustrated in FIG. 9. In the second stage, the tip 131 is moved vertically (e.g., in the Z direction) while depositing the second material 906 to fill the opening in the layers of the first material.

For example, as illustrated in the callout of the perspective view, the layers 908 may include a first layer 1002 and a second layer 1004. The second layer 1004 may be positioned above and in contact with the first layer 1002. The first layer 1002 includes a first region 1010 corresponding to a portion of the first material 904 and a second region 1012 corresponding to a portion of the second material 906. The second layer 1004 includes a third region 1020 corresponding to a portion of the first material 904 and a fourth region 1022 corresponding to a portion of the second material 906. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, multiple layers of the first material 904 are deposited before the second material 906 is deposited. To illustrate, the first region 1010 and the third region 1020 may be formed before the second region 1012 and the fourth region 1022 are formed.

The openings in the layers of the first material 904 to accommodate the tip 131 for a tapered shape. Accordingly, a quantity of the second material 906 deposited in adjacent layers (such as the first layer 1002 and the second layer 1004) may be different. To illustrate, as the tip 131 moves in the Z direction, the tip 131 deposits more of the second material 906 in each layer than in a previous layer. Pressure applied to a plunger of the syringe extruder or velocity of motion of the tip 131 may be used to vary the quantity of the second material deposited in each layer. For example, as the tip 131 is moved in the Z direction, the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may remain constant and the rate of motion in the Z direction may change (e.g., decrease) over time. As another example, as the tip 131 is moved in the Z direction, the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may be changed (e.g., increased) and the rate of motion in the Z direction may remain constant. As yet another example, as the tip 131 is moved in the Z direction, the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may be changed (e.g., increased) and the rate of motion in the Z direction may be changed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1100 that may be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1100 may be performed by the controller 141 of the 3D printer device 101 executing instructions from the memory 142. As another example, the method 1100 may be performed by the processor 103 of the computing device 102 executing instructions from the memory 104.

The method 1100 includes, at 1102, obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3D model includes a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material. For example, the 3D model may correspond to the model data 107 of FIG. 1. As another example, the 3D model may include or correspond to the 3D model 602 of and the feature corresponding to the second portion may correspond to the feature 606. In some implementations, the first material may include a matrix material (e.g., a non-conductive material, such as a polymer), and the second material may include a filler material (e.g., a conductive material, such as a conductive polymer). Thus, the 3D model may include a conductive features, such as a wire, formed of the second material extending though portions of the first material.

The method 1100 includes, at 1104, processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object. For example, the sliced model may include or correspond to the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. In this example, the sliced model may include a plurality of slices 708.

The method 1100 includes, at 1106, identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion. For example, the elongated feature may correspond to or include the feature 706 that has the second intralayer feature dimension 722. In some implementations, the point-deposition criterion is satisfied when an aspect ratio determined based on the cross-sectional dimensions is less than an aspect ratio threshold.

In some implementations, after identifying the elongated feature, the sliced model may be modified. For example, the slice model may be modified to increase a cross-sectional area of the elongated feature in at least one layer of the multiple layers. To illustrate, the cross-sectional area of the elongated feature may be increased based on a dimension associated with an extruder of the 3D printing device, where the extruder is associated with the second material. For example, in the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7, the feature 706 has a first cross-section, which is modified to generate the modified sliced model 802 of FIG. 8. The modified sliced model 802 is used to form the layers 908 of FIG. 9, which include openings to receive a portion of the second material to form a physical model of the elongated features. In this example, the cross-section of the elongated feature in the first layer of the physical model 902 corresponds to a cross-section of the opening in the first layer. Also, the cross-sectional area of the feature 606 in the 3D model 602 is less than a cross-sectional area of the opening 910 in the at least some of the layers 908. Thus, in some layers, the sliced model 702 is modified to increase a cross-sectional dimension associated with the feature.

The method 1100 includes, at 1108, generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique. The machine instructions may include or correspond to the commands 109 of FIG. 1. The machine instructions may enable depositing a portion of the first material (e.g., corresponding to the first region 704 of FIG. 7) to define an opening corresponding the opening 808 of FIG. 8. The machine instructions may also enable depositing a portion of the second material within the opening as illustrated in FIG. 10.

In some implementations, the machine instructions include instructions to translate a first extruder associated with the first material along a first axis, along a second axis, or both, to deposit the portion of the first material. For example, the machine instruction may cause the one or more of the extruders 130, 134 of FIG. 1 to move in the X direction 138, in the Y direction 139, or both, while depositing the first material. In some such implementations, the portion of the second material is deposited according to a point-deposition technique without translating a second extruder along the first axis and without translating the second extruder along the second axis. To illustrate, the syringe extruder 130 may deposit the second material according to the point-deposition technique by extruding the second material while stationary in the X direction 138 and in the Y direction 139; however, the syringe extruder 130 may move relative to the deposition platform 112 in the Z direction 140.

In some implementations, the point-deposition technique causes a quantity of the second material sufficient to fill the opening to be deposited. The quantity of the second material deposited may be determined based on a flowrate of the second material. To illustrate, the second material may dep be deposited using the syringe extruder 130. In this illustrative example, generating the machine instructions may include determining a pressure setting and an extrusion time (or values of others of the settings 150) to cause the syringe extruder 130 to deposit the quantity of the second material. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the pressure setting, the velocity of motion of the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130, or both, may be controlled to substantially fill the opening 910 of FIG. 9 with the second material 906.

In a particular implementation, the machine instructions may cause the 3D printing device to deposit at least a second layer of the multiple layers before depositing the portion of the second material within the opening. To illustrate, in FIG. 9, regions 1010 and 1020 of the first and second layers 1002 and 1004, respectively, are formed of the first material 904 before the second material 906 is deposited in an opening 910 formed in the first and second layers 1002 and 1004. Thus, the opening 910 extends between multiple layers, including the first layer and the second layer. The syringe extruder 130 is used to deposit a portion of the second material 906 in the opening 910 sufficient to fill the opening 910. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the machine instructions may cause the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 to be positioned below a surface of the layers of the first material 904 during at least a portion of the point-deposition technique. In this example, the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 may be translated in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the layers of the first material 904 (e.g., in the Z direction) during at least a portion of the point-deposition technique.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1200 that may be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1200 may be performed by the 3D printer device 101 (or a one or more components thereof).

The method 1200 includes, at 1202, receiving machine instructions that enable generating a physical model of an object including an elongated feature. The elongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion. For example, the object may correspond to the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7, which includes the feature 706, a portion of which extends through multiple slices of the sliced model 702.

The method 1200 includes, at 1204, depositing, using a first extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature of the physical model. For example, the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1 may be used to deposit a portion of the first material 904 of FIG. 9 in a manner that defines the opening 910 associate with at least a portion of the feature 706.

The method 1200 includes, at 1206, depositing, using a second extruder of the 3D printer device, a portion of a second material to form a portion of the elongated feature according to a point-deposition technique. The point-deposition technique causes the portion of the second material to be deposited within the opening. For example, the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 may be inserted into at least a portion of the opening 910 in the first material 904 of FIG. 9. In this example, the syringe extruder 130 may deposit a portion of the second material 906 in the opening as the syringe extruder 130 is moved in the Z direction (as illustrated in FIG. 10).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1300 that may be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1300 may be performed by the controller 141 of the 3D printer device 101 executing instructions from the memory 142. As another example, the method 1300 may be performed by the processor 103 of the computing device 102 executing instructions from the memory 104.

The method 1300 includes, at 1302, obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. For example, the computing device 102 of the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1 may receive the model data 107, which includes or corresponds to a 3D model of an object. To illustrate, the model data 107 may represent the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6.

The method 1300 includes, at 1304, processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is above and in contact with the first layer, the first layer including a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer including a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. For example, model data representing the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6 may be processed to generate the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. As described with reference to FIG. 10, the sliced model may include adjacent slices (e.g., a first slice and a second slice) corresponding to the first layer 1002 and the second layer 1004, respectively. The first layer 1002 includes the first region 1010 corresponding to the first material and includes the second region 1012 corresponding to the second material. Further, the second layer 1004 includes the third region 1020 corresponding to the first material and includes the fourth region 1022 corresponding to the second material.

The method 1300 includes, at 1306, generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 10, first material may be deposited to form the first region 1010 and the third region 1020 before second material is deposited to form the second region 1012 and the fourth region 1022.

In some implementations, depositing the portion of the second material corresponding to the second region includes positioning a tip of an extruder associated with the second material below an upper surface of the first material. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 may be inserted in the opening defined by layers of the first material 904 to deposit the second material 906 below an upper surface of the first material 904.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1400 that may be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1400 may be performed by the controller 141 of the 3D printer device 101 executing instructions from the memory 142. As another example, the method 1400 may be performed by the processor 103 of the computing device 102 executing instructions from the memory 104.

The method 1400 includes, at 1402, obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. For example, the computing device 102 of the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1 may receive the model data 107, which includes or corresponds to a 3D model of an object. To illustrate, the model data 107 may represent the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6.

The method 1400 includes, at 1404, generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. For example, the pressure setting may include a value stored in the settings 150 that indicates a setting of the pressure regulator 160 that controls fluid pressure applied to the plunger 132 of the syringe extruder 130 of FIG. 1. The first machine instructions may include a data field indicating the first value of the pressure setting. Alternatively, the first machine instruction may include information (such as a target flowrate, a target line width, a target line height, etc.) that the controller 141 can use along with the pressure-flowrate data 152 to determine the first value of the pressure setting.

The method 1400 includes, at 1406, generating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value. As with the first value of the pressure setting, the second value of the pressure setting may indicate a setting of the pressure regulator 160 and may be included a data field of the second machine instruction or may be derived from information in the second machine instructions along with the pressure-flowrate data 152.

In some implementations, the controller 141, the computing device 102, or another device may determine the pressure-to-flowrate data 152 by determining a flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material. To illustrate, one or more test prints may be performed by the 3D printer device 101 to determine the flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material. As another example, data specifying the flowrate-to-pressure relationship (e.g., rheology data) of the material may be provided to the computing device 102, to the 3D printer device 101, or to both, from an external source, such as a vendor of the material.

In some implementations, the flowrate-to-pressure relationship may be temperature dependent. For example, during operation, the 3D printer device 101 may determine a temperature associated with the first printhead 113 based on output of the temperature sensor 133. The temperature associated with the first printhead 113 may correspond to or be correlated with the temperature of the material. The temperature of the material may be used to select (e.g., from a look up table) or calculate the flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material. In such an implementation, the first value of the pressure setting may be determined based on a first temperature associated with the material, and the second value of the pressure setting may be determined based on a second temperature (e.g., at a later time) associated with the material.

In some implementations, the value of the pressure setting may be determined (e.g., by the controller 141) based on target characteristics of a line that is to be deposited. For example, the first value of the pressure setting may be determined based on a first target line width (or a first target line height) of the material, and the second value of the pressure setting may be determined based on a second target line width (or a second target line height) of the material. The first target line width (or the first target line height) may be different from the second target line width (or the second target line height). For example, in some circumstances, a larger (e.g., wider or taller) than normal line may be deposited in a particular location (e.g., to fill a space (as illustrated in FIG. 4) if the space is smaller than two normal-sized lines, but larger than one normal sized line. In this example, the second target line width (or the second target line height) may be greater than the first target line width (or the first target line height) but less than two times the first target line width (or the first target line height). To illustrate, the second target line width (or the second target line height) may be greater than the first target line width (or the first target line height) by a non-integer multiple. The pressure setting, velocity of the extruder, or both, may be controlled to deposit the larger than normal line.

In a particular embodiment, the syringe extruder 130 has a first flowrate when the pressure setting has the first value and has a second flowrate (different than the first flowrate) when the pressure setting has the second value. In addition to or instead of controlling the pressure setting, the velocity of motion of the extruder may be controller to control characteristics (e.g., line width or line height) of deposited material. For example, the first machine instructions may include first instructions to cause the syringe extruder 130 to move at a first speed while depositing the material, and the second machine instructions may include second instructions to cause the syringe extruder 130 to move at the first speed while depositing the material. The first speed may be the same as or different from the second speed.

In some implementations, the material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 may be deposited within an opening (or set of openings) formed in another material. For example, a third portion of the physical model may be associated with a second material and may define a first opening. In this example, the first value of the pressure setting may be selected to cause the syringe extruder to, during a single pass, substantially fill the first opening to form the first portion of the physical model. Likewise, in this example, a fourth portion of the physical model may be associated with the second material and may define a second opening. The second value of the pressure setting may be selected to cause the syringe extruder to, during a single pass, substantially fill the second opening to form the second portion of the physical model. The first opening may have a first width that is the same as or different from a second width of the second opening. To illustrate, as described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4, the pressure setting, the velocity of motion of the extruder, or both, may be varied to achieve various line widths (or line heights), e.g., to substantially fill an opening.

In another example, the third portion of the physical model (associated with the second material) may define an opening. During deposition of a portion of the material to form the first portion of the physical model, the syringe extruder may be offset from a wall of the first opening by an offset distance, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this example, the first value of the pressure setting may be selected to cause the syringe extruder to deposit a line of the material having a line width equal to or greater than the offset distance, such as the line width 506. In this example, the second line width may correspond to the second line width 510, which may be used to form other lines of the material in the opening.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1500 that may be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1500 may be performed by the 3D printer device 101 (or one or more components thereof).

The method 1500 includes, at 1502, receiving machine instructions that enable generating a physical model of an object, the physical model including a plurality of layers that includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and wherein the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. For example, the machine instructions may include or correspond to the commands 109 of FIG. 1. The machine instructions specify operations to form a physical model of an object. For example, the object may correspond to the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6. In this example, the 3D model 602 may be sliced to form the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. The sliced model 702 may be modified to form the modified sliced model 802, which may be used to form machine instructions. The 3D printer device 101 performing operations described by the machine instructions may deposit material corresponding to a plurality of layers 908, which includes the first layer 1002 and the second layer 1004.

The method 1500 includes, at 1504, depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region. For example, the first material 904 of FIG. 10 may be deposited to form the first region 1010 and the third region 1020.

The method 1500 includes, at 1502, after depositing the portion of the first material, depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region. For example, the second material 906 of FIG. 10 may be deposited to form the second region 1012 and the fourth region 1022.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1600 that may be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1600 may be performed by the 3D printer device 101 (or one or more components thereof).

The method 1600 includes, at 1602, receiving first machine instructions associated with a first portion of a physical model of an object and second machine instructions associated with a second portion of the physical model. The first machine instructions indicates a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a first pressure to be applied to a syringe extruder, and the second machine instructions indicates a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value. For example, the machine instruction may include or correspond to the commands 109 of FIG. 1. The machine instructions may specify values of one or more of the settings 150. Alternately, the machine instructions may include information that is used by the controller 141 to determine the values of the settings 150. To illustrate, the machine instructions may include target line information, such as flowrate information, line height information, line width information, or other parameters related to flowrate. In this illustrative example, the controller 141 may determine values of various settings, such as a pressure setting, a temperature setting, a velocity setting, etc., to achieve line parameters specified by the target line information. The various settings may be determined, for example, based on the pressure-flowrate data 152, based on the calibration data 148, or based on other information.

The method 1600 includes, at 1604, depositing, using the syringe extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a material at a first flowrate to form the first portion based on the first machine instructions. For example, the syringe extruder 130 may be used to deposit a first portion of a line having a first line width as described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B by setting a flowrate of the syringe extruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160) and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130. As another example, the syringe extruder 130 may be used to deposit the first portion of the line having a first line height as described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B by setting a flowrate of the syringe extruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160) and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130.

The method 1600 includes, at 1606, depositing, using the syringe extruder, another portion of the material at a second flowrate to form the second portion based on the second machine instructions, the first flowrate different from the second flowrate. For example, the syringe extruder 130 may be used to deposit a second portion of the line having a second line width as described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B by setting a flowrate of the syringe extruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160) and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130. As another example, the syringe extruder 130 may be used to deposit the second portion of the line having a second line height as described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B by setting a flowrate of the syringe extruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160) and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130.

The illustrations of the examples described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various implementations. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other implementations may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other implementations may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, method operations may be performed in a different order than shown in the figures or one or more method operations may be omitted. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Moreover, although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar results may be substituted for the specific implementations shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various implementations. Combinations of the above implementations, and other implementations not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single implementation for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Examples described above illustrate but do not limit the disclosure. It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. As the following claims reflect, the claimed subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed examples. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object;processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer, the first layer including a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer including a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material; andgenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the portion of the second material corresponding to the second region includes positioning a tip of an extruder associated with the second material below an upper surface of the first material.
3. A method comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object;generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder, wherein the first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder; andgenerating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder, wherein the second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the pressure setting indicates a setting of a pressure regulator that controls fluid pressure applied to a plunger of the syringe extruder.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the syringe extruder has a first flowrate when the pressure setting has the first value and has a second flowrate when the pressure setting has the second value, and wherein the first flowrate is different from the second flowrate.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the first machine instructions further include first instructions to cause the syringe extruder to move at a first speed while depositing the material, and the second machine instructions further include second instructions to cause the syringe extruder to move at the first speed while depositing the material.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first machine instructions further include first instructions to cause the syringe extruder to move at a first speed while depositing the material, and the second machine instructions further include second instructions to cause the syringe extruder to move at a second speed while depositing the material, wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein the first value of the pressure setting is determined based on a first temperature associated with the material, wherein the second value of the pressure setting is determined based on a second temperature associated with the material.
9. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining, based on characteristics of the material, a flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material before generating the first machine instructions.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material is determined based on a temperature associated with the material.
11. The method of claim 3, wherein the first value of the pressure setting is determined based on a first target line width of the material, wherein the second value of the pressure setting is determined based on a second target line width of the material, wherein the first target line width is different from the second target line width.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second target line width is greater than the first target line width by a non-integer multiple.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second target line width is greater than the first target line width and is less than two times the first target line width.
14. The method of claim 3, wherein the first value of the pressure setting is determined based on a first target line height of the material, wherein the second value of the pressure setting is determined based on a second target line height of the material, wherein the first target line height is different from the second target line height.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second target line height is greater than the first target line height by a non-integer multiple.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second target line height is greater than the first target height and is less than two times the first target line height.
17. The method of claim 3, wherein a third portion of the physical model is associated with a second material, wherein the third portion of the physical model defines a first opening, and wherein the first value of the pressure setting is selected to cause the syringe extruder to, during a single pass, substantially fill the first opening to form the first portion of the physical model.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein a fourth portion of the physical model is associated with the second material, wherein the fourth portion of the physical model defines a second opening, and wherein the second value of the pressure setting is selected to cause the syringe extruder to, during a single pass, substantially fill the second opening to form the second portion of the physical model.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first opening has a first width, the second opening has a second width, and the first width is different from the second width.
20. The method of claim 3, wherein a third portion of the physical model is associated with a second material, wherein the third portion of the physical model defines a first opening, and wherein, during deposition of the first portion of the physical model, the syringe extruder is offset from a wall of the first opening by an offset distance, and the first value of the pressure setting is selected to cause the syringe extruder to deposit a line of the material having a line width equal to or greater than the offset distance.
21. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object;processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer, the first layer including a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer including a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material; andgenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
22. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object;generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder, wherein the first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder; andgenerating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder, wherein the second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value.
23. A computing device comprising: a processor; anda memory accessible to the processor, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object;processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer, the first layer including a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and the second layer including a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material; andgenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region before depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
24. A computing device comprising: a processor; anda memory accessible to the processor, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object;generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder, wherein the first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder; andgenerating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder, wherein the second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value.
25. A three-dimensional (3D) printer device comprising: one or more extruders configured to deposit a first material and a second material on a deposition platform to generate a physical model of an object, the physical model including a plurality of layers that includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer, wherein the first layer includes a first region corresponding to the first material and a second region corresponding to the second material, and wherein the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material;an actuator coupled to the one or more extruders, the deposition platform, or a combination thereof; anda controller coupled to the actuator, the controller configured to: cause the one or more extruders to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region; andafter depositing the portion of the first material, cause the one or more extruders to deposit a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
26. A three-dimensional (3D) printer device comprising: a syringe extruder configured to deposit a material on a deposition platform at a flowrate based on a pressure regulator setting;an actuator coupled to the syringe extruder, to the pressure regulator, to the deposition platform, or to a combination thereof; anda controller coupled to the actuator, the controller configured to cause the syringe extruder to deposit a first portion of the material at a first flowrate to form a first portion of a physical model of an object based on a first value of the pressure regulator setting and to cause the syringe extruder to deposit a second portion of the material at a second flowrate to form a second portion of the physical model based on a second value of the pressure regulator setting.
27. A method comprising: receiving machine instructions that enable generating a physical model of an object, the physical model including a plurality of layers that includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and in contact with the first layer, wherein the first layer includes a first region corresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to a second material, and wherein the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material;depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portion of the first material corresponding to the first region and to the third region; andafter depositing the portion of the first material, depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portion of the second material corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
28. A method comprising: receiving first machine instructions associated with a first portion of a physical model of an object and second machine instructions associated with a second portion of the physical model, wherein the first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a first pressure to be applied to a syringe extruder, and wherein the second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value;depositing, using the syringe extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a material at a first flowrate to form the first portion based on the first machine instructions; anddepositing, using the syringe extruder, another portion of the material at a second flowrate to form the second portion based on the second machine instructions, the first flowrate different from the second flowrate.
29. A method comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object, the 3D model including a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material;processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object;identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion; andgenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the machine instructions include instructions to translate a first extruder associated with the first material along a first axis, along a second axis, or both, to deposit the portion of the first material.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the portion of the second material is deposited according to a point-deposition technique without translating a second extruder along the first axis and without translating the second extruder along the second axis.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the point-deposition technique causes a quantity of the second material sufficient to fill the opening to be deposited.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the quantity of the second material is determined based on a flowrate of the second material.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the second material is deposited using a syringe extruder, and wherein generating machine instructions to deposit the portion of the second material according to the point-deposition technique includes determining a pressure setting and an extrusion time to cause the syringe extruder to deposit the quantity of the second material.
35. The method of claim 29, wherein a cross-section of the elongated feature in the first layer of the physical model corresponds to a cross-section of the opening in the first layer.
36. The method of claim 29, wherein a cross-sectional area of the elongated feature in the 3D model is less than a cross-sectional area of the opening in the first layer.
37. The method of claim 29, further comprising, after identifying the elongated feature, modifying the sliced model to increase a cross-sectional area of the elongated feature in at least one layer of the multiple layers.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the cross-sectional area of the elongated feature is increased based on a dimension associated with an extruder of the 3D printing device, wherein the extruder is associated with the second material.
39. The method of claim 29, wherein the machine instructions are further executable by the 3D printing device to, before depositing the portion of the second material within the opening, deposit at least a second layer of the multiple layers, wherein the opening extends between the first layer and the second layer, and wherein the portion of the second material deposited within the opening is sufficient to fill the opening extending between the first layer and the second layer.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the machine instructions cause a tip of an extruder associated with the second material to be positioned below a surface of the second layer during at least a portion of the point-deposition technique.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein the machine instructions cause a tip of an extruder associated with the second material to translate in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the second layer during at least a portion of the point-deposition technique.
42. The method of claim 29, wherein the point-deposition criterion is satisfied when an aspect ratio determined based on the cross-sectional dimensions is less than an aspect ratio threshold.
43. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object, the 3D model including a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material;processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object;identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion; andgenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique.
44. A computing device comprising: a processor; anda memory accessible to the processor, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object, the 3D model including a first portion corresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding to a second material;processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of the object;identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion; andgenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material within the opening according to a point-deposition technique.
45. A three-dimensional (3D) printer device comprising: a first extruder configured to deposit a first material on a deposition platform;a second extruder configured to deposit a second material on the deposition platform;an actuator coupled to the first extruder, to the second extruder, to the deposition platform, or to a combination thereof; anda controller coupled to the actuator, the controller configured to: cause the first extruder to deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associated with an elongated feature of a physical model of an object, wherein the elongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion; andcause the second extruder to deposit a portion of the second material to form a portion of the elongated feature using a point-deposition technique, wherein the point-deposition technique deposits the portion of the second material within the opening.
46. A method comprising: receiving machine instructions that enable generating a physical model of an object including an elongated feature, wherein the elongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion;depositing, using a first extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a first material to define an opening associated with the elongated feature of the physical model; anddepositing, using a second extruder of the 3D printer device, a portion of a second material to form a portion of the elongated feature according to a point-deposition technique, wherein the point-deposition technique causes the portion of the second material to be deposited within the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/208,222, filed Aug. 21, 2015 and entitled “Closed-Loop 3D Printing Incorporating Sensor Feedback,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,389, filed May 23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,421, filed May 23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,453, filed May 23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING DEVICE,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,436, filed May 23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,432, filed May 23, 2016 and entitled “3D PRINTER CALIBRATION AND CONTROL,” the contents of each of the aforementioned applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Provisional Applications (6)

Number	Date	Country
62208222	Aug 2015	US
62340389	May 2016	US
62340421	May 2016	US
62340453	May 2016	US
62340436	May 2016	US
62340432	May 2016	US

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (6)