Augmented three-dimensional printing

Abstract

A variety of techniques are disclosed for visual and functional augmentation of a three-dimensional printer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a three-dimensional printer having a working volume;   one or more spatial sensors configured to capture data from an object placed within the working volume;   a first processor configured to convert the data into a digital model of the object;   a second processor configured to operate the three-dimensional printer to fabricate a geometrically related object within the working volume based upon the digital model.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first processor and the second processor are the same processor. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the geometrically related object is a three-dimensional copy of the object. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional copy of the object is a scaled copy. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the geometrically related object includes material to enclose a portion of the object. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the geometrically related object includes a mating surface to the object. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first processor obtains the digital model using shape from motion. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more spatial sensors include a plurality of cameras positioned to provide coverage of different surfaces of the object within the working volume. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more spatial sensors include a single camera configured to navigate around the working volume. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more spatial sensors include one or more articulating mirrors. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising controllable lighting. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a computer automated design environment to view the digital model. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a computer automated design environment to modify the digital model. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 placing an object in a working volume of a three-dimensional printer;   capturing a three-dimensional image of the object, thereby providing a digital model;   generating tool instructions to fabricate a second object geometrically related to the object with the three-dimensional printer; and   controlling the three-dimensional printer with the tool instructions to fabricate the second object.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the second object is a three-dimensional copy of the object. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the second object is shaped and sized to enclose a portion of the object. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the second object includes a mating surface for mechanically coupling to the object. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein capturing a three-dimensional image of the object includes:
 capturing a plurality of images of the object with a plurality of cameras positioned to provide coverage of different surfaces of the object within the working volume; and 
 processing the plurality of images to obtain the digital model. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein capturing a three-dimensional image of the object includes:
 capturing a plurality of images of the object from a plurality of poses with a single camera configured to navigate around the working volume; and 
 processing the plurality of images to obtain the digital model. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein capturing a three-dimensional image of the object includes:
 capturing a plurality of images of the object from a plurality of poses with a single camera using one or more articulating mirrors; and 
 processing the plurality of images to obtain the digital model.