Direct writing of digital images onto 3D surfaces

Abstract

Purpose

Aims to develop a greyscale “painting system” by enabling the physical reproduction of digital texture maps on arbitrary 3D objects selectively exposing “pixels” of photographic emulsion with a robot mounted light source.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing existing methods of “decorating” 3D components, the properties of photographic emulsion are introduced and the nature of the rendering process' pixels discussed. A proposed path planning algorithm, used to derive both the robot's movement and the exposure times directly from a VRML representation, is then presented.

Findings

Results obtained from successfully rendering images on the surface of a test object are presented.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of current system include the overall process time and the inability to handle objects with concave geometry.

Originality/value

The system requires no bespoke production tooling and fills an automation gap in rapid prototyping and manufacturing technology that is currently occupied by hand painting.

Citation

Sung, R.C.W., Corney, J.R., Towers, D.P., Black, I., Hand, D.P., McPherson, F., Clark, D.E.R. and Gross, M.S. (2006), "Direct writing of digital images onto 3D surfaces", Industrial Robot, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 27-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/01439910610700702