Direkte generative Fertigung von Schmiedegesenken eröffnet neue Möglichkeiten

Umformwerkzeuge sind eine neue und bislang nicht erforschte Anwendung generativ gefertigter Werkzeuge. Der Vortrag präsentiert ein Fallbeispiel, bei dem ein typisches Schmiedeteil mit recht komplexer Geometrie erfolgreich unter Verwendung eines generativ gefertigten Schmiedegesenks hergestellt werden konnte. Die Marktanforderungen zur frühestmöglichen Verfügbarkeit echter Schmiedeteile werden dargestellt. Die gesamte Prozesskette von der 3D-CAD-Werkzeugkonstruktion über die Schmiedeprozesssimulation, das Laserstrahlschmelzen der Gesenkeinsätze und die Gesenkmontage bis hin zu den eigentlichen Schmiedeversuchen unter produktionsähnlichen Bedingungen wird dargestellt und mit konventioneller Schmiedegesenkkonstruktion und ‑fertigung verglichen. Die Vorteile und Besonderheiten der generativen Prozesskette werden herausgestellt. Die gefertigten Schmiedeteile werden hinsichtlich Formfüllung, Maßhaltigkeit und Gefüge mit konventionell geschmiedeten Teilen verglichen. Die Lieferzeit der generativ gefertigten Schmiedegesenke wird der von konventionell hergestellten gegenübergestellt, ebenso die Kosten, um die Vorteile des Einsatzes generativer Fertigung herauszustellen. Es werden Randbedingungen beschrieben, unter denen die generative Fertigung von Schmiedegesenken technisch und wirtschaftlich sinnvoll ist.

Tracking of industrial objects by using CAD models

In this paper we present a model-based approach for real-time camera pose estimation in industrial scenarios. The line model which is used for tracking is generated by rendering a polygonal model and extracting contours out of the rendered scene. By un-projecting a point on the contour with the depth value stored in the z-buffer, the 3D coordinates of the contour can be calculated. For establishing 2D/3D correspondences the 3D control points on the contour are projected into the image and a perpendicular search for gradient maxima for every point on the contour is performed. Multiple hypotheses of 2D image points corresponding to a 3D control point make the pose estimation robust against ambiguous edges in the image.

Efficient Bimanual Symmetric 3D Manipulation for Bare-Handed Interaction

Recently, stable markerless 6 DOF video based handtracking devices became available. These devices simultaneously track the positions and orientations of both user hands in different postures with at least 25 frames per second. Such hand-tracking allows for using the human hands as natural input devices. However, the absence of physical buttons for performing click actions and state changes poses severe challenges in designing an efficient and easy to use 3D interface on top of such a device. In particular, for coupling and decoupling a virtual object’s movements to the user’s hand (i.e. grabbing and releasing) a solution has to be found. In this paper, we introduce a novel technique for efficient two-handed grabbing and releasing objects and intuitively manipulating them in the virtual space. This technique is integrated in a novel 3D interface for virtual manipulations. A user experiment shows the superior applicability of this new technique. Last but not least, we describe how this technique can be exploited in practice to improve interaction by integrating it with RTT DeltaGen, a professional CAD/CAS visualization and editing tool.

CAD Files and European Design Law

Three-dimensional printing (“3DP”) is an additive manufacturing technology that starts with a virtual 3D model of the object to be printed, the so-called Computer-Aided-Design (“CAD”) file. This file, when sent to the printer, gives instructions to the device on how to build the object layer-by-layer. This paper explores whether design protection is available under the current European regulatory framework for designs that are computer-created by means of CAD software, and, if so, under what circumstances. The key point is whether the appearance of a product, embedded in a CAD file, could be regarded as a protectable element under existing legislation. To this end, it begins with an inquiry into the concepts of “design” and “product”, set forth in Article 3 of the Community Design Regulation No. 6/2002 (“CDR”). Then, it considers the EUIPO’s practice of accepting 3D digital representations of designs. The enquiry goes on to illustrate the implications that the making of a CAD file available online might have. It suggests that the act of uploading a CAD file onto a 3D printing platform may be tantamount to a disclosure for the purposes of triggering unregistered design protection, and for appraising the state of the prior art. It also argues that, when measuring the individual character requirement, the notion of “informed user” and “the designer’s degree of freedom” may need to be reconsidered in the future. The following part touches on the exceptions to design protection, with a special focus on the repairs clause set forth in Article 110 CDR. The concluding part explores different measures that may be implemented to prohibit the unauthorised creation and sharing of CAD files embedding design-protected products.