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Direct writing of digital images onto 3D surfaces

Raymond C.W. Sung (Scottish Manufacturing Institute, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Jonathan R. Corney (Scottish Manufacturing Institute, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
David P. Towers (Scottish Manufacturing Institute, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Ian Black (Scottish Manufacturing Institute, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Duncan P. Hand (Scottish Manufacturing Institute, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Finlay McPherson (Scottish Manufacturing Institute, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Doug E.R. Clark (School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot‐Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Markus S. Gross (Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, Cambridge, UK)

Industrial Robot

ISSN: 0143-991x

Article publication date: 1 January 2006

514

Abstract

Purpose

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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

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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

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

Research limitations/implications

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

Originality/value

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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.

Keywords

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

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Company

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