BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to three-dimensional manufacturing and, more particularly, to proximity correction in materials that change dimensions under temperature changes.

Description of the Related Art

Three-dimensional (3D) printing involves the creation of 3D objects using, e.g., mechanical processes to extrude or otherwise form material according to a design. In this manner, such objects can be rapidly formed to order. Exemplary 3D processes include plastic extrusion and laser sintering.

However, while 3D printing provides significant benefits in rapid prototyping and inexpensive hardware testing, current 3D printing processes introduce dimensional and positional errors during manufacturing due to mismatches in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) during deposition. Manually inspecting and modifying parts after each build is difficult, time consuming, and expensive. Furthermore, manual sanding, milling, or polishing of parts can produce inconsistent results.

SUMMARY

A method for printing accurate three-dimensional structures includes printing an original three-dimensional structure according to an original three-dimensional model. The original three-dimensional model is adjusted to reduce measured differences between the printed three-dimensional structure and the original three-dimensional model, by adding material to the original three-dimensional model in proportion to an amount of thermal contraction in a region.

A system for printing accurate three-dimensional structures includes a three-dimensional printer configured to print an original three-dimensional structure according to an original three-dimensional model. A three-dimensional scanner is configured to measure differences between the printed three-dimensional structure and the original three-dimensional model. A model adjustment system includes an adjusting module configured to adjust the original three-dimensional model to reduce measured differences between the original three-dimensional structure and the original three-dimensional model, by adding material to the original three-dimensional model in proportion to an amount of thermal contraction in a region, and to provide the adjusted three-dimensional model to the three-dimensional printer.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

