Materialise N.v.

Kurt Renap

Gerald Eggers

Sam Coeck

The present invention is directed to an improved method for supporting an object made by means of stereo lithography or any other rapid prototype production method. The generation of the support begins by determining the region that requires support in each layer of the object and defines a number of support points in this region. In a next step, a support mesh is generated connected to the object using these support points. The present invention also discloses different techniques that reduce superfluous edges to further optimize the support mesh. Finally, a support is generated from this support mesh. The present invention may facilitate the generation of supports data by employing more automation and less user analysis.

Support structure for an object made by means of a rapid prototype production method

A system and method for calibrating a laser scanning system is provided. Various embodiments involve the use of a calibration plate with reference markings which is positioned to receive a directed beam in a set of known laser scanner positions. The directed beam forms a laser spot on the calibration plate, and the laser spot is captured using an image acquisition assembly such as a digital camera along with a motorized mount. The movement of the image acquisition assembly may be coordinated with the movement of the laser scanner to track the laser spot across the plate. After photographing various positions, actual laser spot coordinates are deduced from their position relative to the known positions of the reference markings.

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Herenthout, Belgium

Kurt Renap