3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Apple Patent Describes New 3D Modeling Method
qidi

Apple Patent Describes New 3D Modeling Method

October 24, 2018

Apple has obtained a patent for a 3D modeling technique that uses triangular tessellation to form shapes. The patent office has approved the method, which breaks smooth surfaces into little triangles that approximate the shape of the original model, on October 23, 2018. The Apple patent has certain unique features that could be very useful to 3D printing enthusiasts.

The software truly shines when it comes to infill design, i.e. little patterns inside an object retain its rigidity. While infill is usually simpler, involving shapes or squiggles inside an object in a uniform way to keep the structure from collapsing, the tradition version creates the entire inside of the object uniformly, leading to cracking or brittleness in the finished product.

Apple’s version, instead, alters the shape of the internal infill to differently-sized triangles. Depending on the print, the software varies up the sizes of these triangles, giving them a better overall form. This ensures that there is more infill on the edges of the object, conforming to their shape. Similarly, the system also smoothens out the edges of the print with the same parameters.

This isn’t Apple’s first foray into 3D printing tech. The Apple patent listed Michael R. Sweet, Senior Printing System Engineer at Apple Inc., Canada, as the sole inventor. He has previously patented at least 13 other 3D printing-related inventions, as well.

Apple & 3D Modeling

Apple Patent

Sweet describes the drawing he posted in the patent (as shown above), listing it’s importance. “In one embodiment, the triangles making up the triangular tessellations are fixed-size triangles. In another embodiment, the triangles making up the triangular tessellations are dynamically sized triangles. By way of example, small triangles could be used to form an object’s edges or other regions in which strength/support is needed. Larger triangles could be used to build-up or construct areas where strength/support is not as critical,” wrote Sweet in the patent.

The patent states the benefits of the the system as well. According to the literature, it can speed up printing considerably as the print head does not have to move back and forth. As a result, it only moves forward to make the triangular shapes, cutting a lot of time wastage. Similarly, it also allow for smoother surfaces and edges, as stated earlier.

While Apple are patenting a 3D modeling technique for 3D printing, it doesn’t necessarily mean they developing a 3D printer. Large companies tend to stack up useful patents for technologies as a means of maintaining the technological lead. It might be more likely that Apple is developing a software than them developing a 3D printer. Regardless, many companies might be eager to adopt this method and form. Apple has a lot of model making experience due to their work with animation studios. It may come in handy in those areas, especially with all the growth in 3D printing tech among studios. at this point we can only speculate.

Apple Color 3D Printer
Related Story
Apple’s Color 3D Printer Patent Approved

Featured image courtesy of Apple and Michael Sweet.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Rapid Fusion Launches AI Assistant for Large-Format 3D Printers

British manufacturer Rapid Fusion has introduced "Bob," an AI-powered assistant designed to optimize operations for its large-format 3D printing systems. The company developed... read more »

News
Rapid Fusion Launches AI Assistant for Large-Format 3D Printers

Creality Submits IPO Prospectus for Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing

Shenzhen-based 3D printer manufacturer Creality has submitted a prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for a main board listing. The company began... read more »

News
Creality Submits IPO Prospectus for Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing

Graphjet Technology Partners with Malaysian University on 3D-Printed Heat Sink Development

Graphjet Technology has entered into a collaboration agreement with the Centre for Materials Engineering and Smart Manufacturing (MERCU) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).... read more »

News
Graphjet Technology Partners with Malaysian University on 3D-Printed Heat Sink Development

Humtown drives US Manufacturing Comeback with Additive Sand Casting

Humtown Products, an Ohio-based company, is positioning itself to serve manufacturers looking to bring production back to the United States. The company specializes... read more »

News
Humtown drives US Manufacturing Comeback with Additive Sand Casting

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Releases Advanced Dataset for 3D Printing Quality Monitoring

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has released a comprehensive dataset for its Peregrine software, which monitors and analyzes parts created through powder bed additive... read more »

News
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Releases Advanced Dataset for 3D Printing Quality Monitoring

Creality Expands Flagship Lineup with K2 and K2 Pro 3D Printers

Creality has announced the launch of the K2 and K2 Pro, two new additions to its high-end K series. Built on a rigid... read more »

3D Printers
Creality Expands Flagship Lineup with K2 and K2 Pro 3D Printers

Farsoon and Stark Future Complete KLINGA Project, Producing Over 1,000 Titanium Parts

Farsoon Europe GmbH and Stark Future have completed the KLINGA Project, a collaborative engineering initiative that produced more than 1,000 titanium parts using... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Farsoon and Stark Future Complete KLINGA Project, Producing Over 1,000 Titanium Parts

Swiss Steel Group’s Ugitech Introduces Custom Wire for 3D Metal Printing

Swiss Steel Group and its French subsidiary Ugitech have launched UGIWAM wire, a new product designed for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Swiss Steel Group's Ugitech Introduces Custom Wire for 3D Metal Printing

QIDI Launches Q2 3D Printer for Home Users with Industrial-Grade Features

QIDI Tech has introduced the QIDI Q2, a compact, beginner-friendly desktop 3D printer engineered to bring professional-grade capabilities into the home. Designed as... read more »

3D Printers
QIDI Launches Q2 3D Printer for Home Users with Industrial-Grade Features

Purdue University Partners with Thermwood to Integrate Simulation with Large-Scale 3D Printing

Purdue University's Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center has partnered with Thermwood to combine predictive simulation technology with large-scale 3D printing for composite parts... read more »

News
Purdue University Partners with Thermwood to Integrate Simulation with Large-Scale 3D Printing

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing