Software improves structural strength of 3D printed objects

The platform relies on a lightweight structure analysis solver and 3D medial axis approximations to automatically detect structural problems. After areas with high structural stress are found, models are corrected by combining three approaches: hollowing, thickening, and strut insertion. This detection and correction repeats until all problematic cases are corrected. The process is designed to create a model that is visually similar to the original model, while possessing greater structural integrity. "We not only make the objects structurally better, but we also make them much more inexpensive," said Radomir Mech, a senior research manager from Adobe's Advanced Technology Labs. "We have demonstrated weight and cost savings of 80%." The new tool is designed to automatically identify 'grip positions' where a person is likely to grasp the object. The lightweight structural analysis solver then analyses the object using a mesh-based simulation. Mech claims the tool requires less computing power than traditional finite-element modeling tools, which are used in high-precision work such as designing jet engine turbine blades. "The 3D printing doesn't have to be so precise, so we developed our own structural analysis programme that doesn't pay significant attention to really high precision," he said. The researchers are now looking to gain a better understanding of how structural strength is influenced by the layered nature of 3D printed objects. Future research is expected to focus on expanding the algorithms to include printed models that have moving parts.