Three-dimensional design and manufacturing systems

摘要

Embodiments relate to printing a three-dimensional (3D) article from a 3D design file describing a 3D design. A computer processor receives the design file in an encrypted format. The design file includes a design file identifier and a 3D printer identifier identifying a 3D printer capable of printing a 3D article in accordance with the design file. The processor constructs an authentication request for authenticating use of the design file with the printer and transmits the authentication request to an authentication server. The processor receives a response from the authentication server enabling printing of the article from the design file on the printer. The processor uses a decryption key included in the response to decrypt the design file including 2D contour data. The processor sends the decrypted design file to the printer associated with the printer identifier. The printer prints the article in accordance with the decrypted contour data.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method of printing a three-dimensional (3D) article from a 3D design file describing a 3D design, the method comprising:
receiving, at a computer processor, the 3D design file in encrypted format, the 3D design file comprising a unique design file identifier and a unique 3D printer identifier identifying a 3D printer capable of printing a three-dimensional article in accordance with the 3D design file; constructing, using the computer processor, an authentication request for authenticating use of the design file with the 3D printer specified by the 3D printer identifier, the request including the unique design file identifier and the unique 3D printer identifier; transmitting the authentication request from the computer processor to an authentication server; receiving, at the computer processor, an authentication response from the authentication server, the response enabling printing of the article from the 3D design file on the specified 3D printer, the response comprising a decryption key arranged to decrypt the encrypted 3D design file; using the decryption key, at the computer processor, to decrypt the received encrypted 3D design file, comprising decrypting two-dimensional (2D) contour data included in the 3D design file, and sending the decrypted 3D design file to the 3D printer associated with the unique 3D printer identifier; and printing the article in accordance with the decrypted 2D contour data at the 3D printer.