摘要：
Example implementations relate to compensating for distortions in 3D printing processes. One example implementation determines a geometry and a spatial arrangement of an object model within a virtual build volume, the object model representing an object to be generated within a build volume of a powder-based additive manufacturing system using a thermally curable binder agent. An assistance structure model is generated within the virtual build volume, the assistance structure model representing an assistance structure to be generated within the build volume to assist during a printing phase when the object to be generated is defined using the thermally curable binder agent and to assist during a curing phase when the thermally curable binder agent is cured to generate the object. The assistance structure model has a geometry and spatial arrangement within the virtual build volume that is dependent on the geometry and spatial arrangement of the object model within the virtual build volume.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1 . A method comprising: determining a geometry and a spatial arrangement of an object model within a virtual build volume, the object model representing an object to be generated within a build volume of a powder-based additive manufacturing system using a thermally curable binder agent; generating an assistance structure model within the virtual build volume, the assistance structure model representing an assistance structure to be generated within the build volume to assist during a printing process when the object to be generated is defined using the thermally curable binder agent and to assist during a curing process when the thermally curable binder agent is cured to generate the object; the assistance structure model having a geometry and spatial arrangement within the virtual build volume that is dependent on the geometry and spatial arrangement of the object model within the virtual build volume.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assistance structure to assist during the printing process to stabilize powder within the build volume of the powderbased additive manufacturing system.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assistance structure to assist during the curing process to modify an airflow.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the geometry and spatial arrangement of the object model within the virtual build volume comprises determining one or more of the following: a centroid of the object model within the virtual build volume; a height of a centroid of the object model within the virtual build volume; a center of mass of the object model; a height of a center of mass of the object model within the virtual build volume.
5. The method of claim 1 , comprising determining the geometry and spatial arrangement of a second object model within the virtual build volume; and the geometry and spatial arrangement of the assistance structure within the virtual build model is dependent on the geometry and spatial arrangement of the second object model within the virtual build volume.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assistance structure comprises one or more of the following: a planar member; a planar member comprising a number of holes therethrough; a longitudinally extending member having a solid or hollow cross-section.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assistance structure model is spaced apart from the object model within the virtual build volume.
8. The method of claim 1 , comprising determining an object generating property associated with generating the object, and using the object generating property to generate the assistance parameter.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the object generating property comprises a property of one or more of the following: a type of powder to be used to generate the object; a type of thermally curable binder agent to be used to generate the object; a type of thermally curable binder agent to be used to generate the assistance structure; a non-binder agent to be used to generate the assistance structure; a curing heat to be used to generate the object; an airflow to be used to generate the object.
10. The method of claim 1 , comprising generating the object in a build volume using the virtual build volume by: applying an agent layer-by-layer to powder in the build volume accordance with the object model and the assistance structure model to generate a build bed.
11 . The method of claim 10, comprising applying the thermally curable binder agent in accordance with the object model and applying one of the thermally curable binder agent or a non-binder agent in accordance with the assistance structure model.
12. The method of claim 10, comprising applying heat to the build bed to generate the object.
13. An apparatus comprising: a memory and a processor to: determine a geometry and a spatial arrangement of an object model within a virtual build volume, the object model representing an object to be generated within a build volume of a powder-based additive manufacturing system using a thermally curable binder agent; generate an assistance structure model within the virtual build model, the assistance structure model representing an assistance structure to be generated within the build volume during a printing process when the object is defined using the thermally curable binder agent and to assist during a curing process when the thermally curable binder is cured to generate the object; the assistance structure model having a geometry and spatial arrangement within the virtual build model that is dependent on the geometry and spatial arrangement of the object model within the virtual build volume.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, comprising an agent dispensing apparatus to apply an agent layer-by-layer to powder within the build volume; the processor to control the agent dispensing apparatus to: apply agent layer-by-layer to powder in accordance with the object model and the assistance structure model to generate a build bed.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: determine a geometry and a spatial arrangement of an object model within a virtual build volume, the object model representing an object to be generated within a build volume of a powder-based additive manufacturing system using a thermally curable binder agent; generate an assistance structure model within the virtual build model, the assistance structure model representing an assistance structure to be generated within the build volume to assist during a printing process when the object to be generated is defined using the thermally curable binder agent and to assist during a curing process when the thermally curable binder agent is cured to generate the object; the assistance structure model having a geometry and spatial arrangement within the virtual build model that is dependent on the geometry and spatial arrangement of the object model within the virtual build volume.