Claims:1. An IoT integrated web-based platform by the service provider to provide Additive
Manufacturing technology as a service which is capable of:
receiving a user’s 3D model
converting and processing the model for errors
calculating model volume with the required support material volume
estimating overall production cost and quote
providing the user with a list of capable suppliers for 3D printing the part along with the cost and lead time
facilitating the user with real time monitoring and tracking of the production process
2. A web interface in claim 1 consisting of various modules: 3D model configuration, data
processing, process customization, quotation, payment, user tracking and monitoring
modules.
3. A module in claim 2: the data processing module capable of converting and processing the
user uploaded 3D model and highlighting the errors in the model.
4. A module in claim 2: automatic quotation module capable of providing an instant quote for
3D printing the user’s part by the service provider or any of the manufacturing partners.
5. A module in claim 2: user tracking and monitoring module capable of facilitating the user
to stay in connection through the production process by providing real time monitoring and
tracking data. , Description:Technical field of the invention:
The present invention relates to an IoT integrated web-based platform for providing on
demand manufacturing of parts to users using 3D printing machines. The developed interface
serves as a guide for users towards utilizing the ideal 3D printing equipment, material and process
parameters for converting their 3D designs into products.
Background of the invention:
3-Dimensional (3D) printing is the process of manufacturing a 3D solid object by
depositing a material layer by layer. 3D printing has the advantages such as reduced tooling cost,
flexibility and scalability, reduced inventory, possibility of mass customization, simplify assembly
process and eliminating material waste. Even though, the 3eD printing technology offers many
advantages, the technology still suffers from few cons such as affordability, additional training
requirement, post processing requirements, slow build rates and high maintenance costs. The cost
of setting up a shop floor with required 3D printing equipment is comparatively high. The Additive
Manufacturing-as-a-Service (AMaaS) platform intends to solve this issue to order parts online
using various materials, instant pricing and rapid delivery.
CN104780214/106709793/105291440 describes a similar web-based platform wherein the
user can upload a 3D model and get it 3D printed. The invention lacked in providing a list of the
feasibility of manufacturing the product at different manufacturing partners, optimized quote and
absence of live monitoring/tracking facility to the user. A recent invention CN106372957 also
failed to address the above tailbacks.
Providing the user with an optimized quote on the feasibility of manufacturing the part
using various 3D printing technologies is prioritized. For the production cost estimation,
calculating the volume and support required for the uploaded 3D model is highly important. In
order to calculate the volume, the uploaded CAD data should be free of any errors. Similar webbased platform inventions WO2017142332/US9898776 failed to address the above-mentioned
critical calculations and also the live monitoring/tracking facility to the user. It is therefore an aim
of the embodiments of the present invention to overcome or mitigate the problems of the prior arts.
Summary of the invention:
The present invention aims to disclose a web-based and integrated manufacturing system
that intends to offer additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology as a manufacturing service.
The system comprises of the following modules: 3D model configuration, data processing, process
customization, quotation, payment, user tracking and monitoring modules. A user can upload a
required 3D model, configure a standard template or select a component from a standard part
library. The data processing module converts the uploaded 3D model in to a .stl file format if
necessary, displays the model and cleans up any errors in the model making it suitable for 3D
printing. The module is also capable of calculating the volume of the 3D model including the
supports for an optimized orientation. The user can customize the material, select required 3D
printing process, scale the model and also choose any post processing requirements. If the user is
not aware of 3D printing technology, the cost calculation module is configured to provide the quote
for all the 3D printing processes in the service provider database. The system then provides an
optimized quote for 3D printing the model and suggests the service provider or a manufacturing
partner to the service provider based on location, quality, review, performance and availability.
The user can finally approve a quote based on requirements and confirm the order. The part will
be manufactured by the service provider or any of the manufacturing partners. The process
monitoring module is vested with process analytics features. Through this module, the service
provider will be able to monitor the overall production rate, production cost, efficiency, order
fulfillment, etc. The user will be able to monitor the 3D printing process and keep track of the
order in real time through the integrated IoT based monitoring module. The user is also facilitated
with the part tracking feature once the manufactured part is shipped to the location mentioned
during the order confirmation.
Detailed description of the invention:
In the following description, various embodiments are explained with reference to
drawings. For the purposes of understanding, specific details and configurations are set forth.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram for providing Additive Manufacturing-as-aService platform via an IoT integrated web-based system.
Figure 2 is representative of the modules available in the integrated web interface in
accordance with the embodiments.
Figure 3 is a schematic of the 3D model configuration module.
Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processes of the data processing module.
Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processes of the process customization module.
Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processes of the quotation module.
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processes of the payment module.
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processes of the tracking and monitoring module.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram for providing Additive Manufacturing-as-aService platform via an IoT integrated web-based system. As it can be seen in the Figure 1, users
(100) can upload a 3D model, configure, order and receive the final 3D printed part using this
service. The user performs the model upload, configure and order confirmation through the web
interface (200). Once the order is confirmed, the manufacturing process is performed by the service
provider (300) or one of the manufacturing partners (400). The user is also given the feature of
directly monitoring the entire production process of his/her component in real time through the
web interface. Once the part is produced, it is shipped to the user through the service provider’s
logistics network (500).
Figure 2 is representative of the modules available in the integrated web interface in
accordance with the embodiments. The IoT integrated web interface (200) will consist of the 3D
model configuration (201), data processing (202), process customization (203), quotation (204),
payment (205), user tracking and monitoring modules (206). The user uploads the 3D model
through the web interface in the required format. The data processing module processes the
uploaded 3D CAD model by converting to. stl format if necessary and checking for errors in the
model. Once the model is verified, the user gets a preview of the uploaded model and is given the
process customization options. The user can select the required 3D printing method, material,
process parameters, etc., provided in the process customization module. Once the user confirms
the required process parameters for manufacturing, an optimized quotation for the same is
provided through the quotation module. The quotation is provided for manufacturing the part with
different 3D printing methods and printers as well available with the service provider and
manufacturing partners. Once the order is confirmed through the payment module, the service
provider begins the production based on schedule. The user then can track and monitor the
production process through the tracking and monitoring module in real time.
Figure 3 is a schematic of the 3D model configuration module. The module mainly consists
of a user interface to login (301), upload a 3D model (302) and select required units of
measurement (303). It is required that a user creates login credentials for security as the model is
a design data. The user can upload the 3D model in a neutral format such as. stl,. iges, .stp or
upload directly as a mechanical CAD file created in any 3D modeling software. The selection of
units is important as the overall process of model conversion, processing and quotation is based
on the size of the model.
Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processes of the data processing module. The data
processing module is primarily a background module. It is capable of identifying the file format
uploaded by the user and converting into. stl if necessary (401). Once the model is converted, the
module provides the user with a preview (402) of the uploaded 3D model. The user is given the
freedom to change the orientation (403) of the model for 3D printing. Once the required orientation
is set by the user, the module checks for any errors (404) in the .stl file and also the feasibility of
printing such as thin surfaces, overhangs. If the model is not designed for 3D printing and contains
any errors, the module is capable of highlighting the same to the user. The user has to redesign or
correct the errors in the model and reupload for manufacturing. If the uploaded model is suitable
for 3D printing, the module calculates the volume (405) of the model with the support structures
required preparing for quotation.
Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processes of the process customization module. The
customization module provides the user with the freedom to modify process parameters such as
3D printing method (501), material selection (502), surface quality (503), color (504) and scaling
(505). Once the 3D printing method is selected, the post processing requirements associated with
the printing method is auto-populated. The user can remove a post processing step if not required.
The surface finish requirements and material selection may change the method of 3D printing as
the method selected may not be capable manufacturing the part using the selected requirements.
The cost also varies with the part color and scaling requirements.
Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processes of the quotation module. This module also
is primarily a backend module. The module is programmed to calculate the cost of 3D printing the
user uploaded model and the confirmed process parameters (506). Once the user customizes the
part, the quotation module calculates the cost involved in manufacturing the part with the volume
(405) calculated by the data processing module. It calculates the production time (601) which
includes post processing, logistics, etc. The module is capable of calculating the overall cost (602)
involved based on the machine capability available with the service provider as well as the
manufacturing partners. A list of suppliers (603) along with the cost and lead time is provided to
the user for confirmation (604). Once the user confirms the order, a quotation in a standard
template (605) is generated and notified to the user for confirmation and future references (606).
The module also has the feature of changing from “instant quote” to “manual quote” based on
requirements. The module is enabled with the manual quote feature as 3D printing some specific
parts may require additional discussions with the user.
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processes of the payment module. The module provides
the user with various payment options (701) including credit card, debit card, internet banking,
etc. based on the confirmed quotation (604). The user is required to fill in the shipping address
(703) for the confirmed order. The user is facilitated with providing a shipping address different
from the billing details (702).
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processes of the tracking and monitoring module. This
module is a key differentiator in this service system. It provides the user with features for real time
monitoring and tracking of the manufacturing process of the user’s 3D model after login (801).
The user can monitor (802) the 3D printing process through a live video interface and track the
progress. This module is also capable of providing the service provider with statistics such as
process time, etc. for process quality monitoring. Once the part is manufactured, it is prepared for
shipping. Once shipped the user can track (803) the package through the service provider’s
logistics provider.
The above embodiments are described by the way of producing a user uploaded model
through the IoT integrated web interface and the way of offering 3D printing as a service. The
described web interface can be designed in different variations without departing from the scope
of the invention.