WO2022026471A2

WO2022026471A2 - Compartmentalized enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO2022026471A2
Application number: PCT/US2021/043322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anca FULGER
Original assignee: Materialise N.V.; Materialise Usa, Llc
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2021-07-27
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Also published as: GB202202771D0; GB2601952A; WO2022026471A3

Abstract

A system and method for generating an enclosure for containing a plurality of objects is disclosed. In some examples, the method includes receiving a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating a shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device. In some examples, the method includes defining the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises.

Description

COMPARTMENTALIZED ENCLOSURE

Cross-Reference to Related Application(s)

[0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/057,551, filed July 28, 2020, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

[0002] This application relates to additive manufacturing. More particularly, this application relates to systems and methods for building compartmentalized enclosures around one or more objects during additive manufacturing.

Description of the Related Technology

[0003] In the field of additive manufacturing, three dimensional solid objects are formed from a digital model. Because the manufactured objects are three dimensional, additive manufacturing is commonly referred to as three dimensional ("3D") printing. Some example techniques for additive manufacturing include selective laser sintering ("LS") manufacturing, binder jetting, and metal sintering. These techniques direct a laser beam to a specified location in order to polymerize or solidify layers of building materials which are used to create the desired three dimensional ("3D") object. The 3D object is built on a layer-by-layer basis by solidifying the layers of the building material.

[0004] The handling of parts formed by techniques such as additive manufacturing can be problematic, particularly when there are large numbers of small parts involved. Parts can be lost in the building materials (e.g., powdered polymer or metal, etc.) or in the process of cleaning or removing the building materials from the parts. These problems may result in greater manufacturing costs due to wasted materials, and slower turn-around due to lost parts.

[0005] Furthermore, after the parts are manufactured, they often need to be packaged, such as by being placed in a container. After being retrieved and cleaned, as described above, the parts may then typically be sorted, counted and placed in a container. Additional operations may be required to perform these tasks, further slowing turn-around time and increasing manufacturing costs. [0006] In view of these and other problems identified by the inventors, systems and methods that improve recovery, cleaning, and containerization of parts are described herein.

SUMMARY

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for generating an enclosure for containing a plurality of objects is disclosed. In some examples, the method includes receiving a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating the shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device. In some examples, the method includes, defining the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: defining a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and defining one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner sub spaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects. In some examples, the method includes modifying the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process. [0008] Certain embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method for generating an enclosure for containing a plurality of objects. In some examples, the method includes receiving a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating the shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device. In some examples, the method includes defining the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: defining a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and defining one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner subspaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects. In some examples, the method includes modifying the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process. [0009] Certain embodiments provide a computing device comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. In some examples, the processor and memory configured to receive a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating the shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device. In some examples, the processor and memory configured to define the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: define a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and define one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner subspaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects. In some examples, the processor and memory configured to modify the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is an example of a system for designing and manufacturing three- dimensional (3D) objects.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of one example of the computer shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a high level process for manufacturing a 3D object.

[0013] FIG. 4A is an example of an additive manufacturing apparatus with a recoating mechanism.

[0014] FIG. 4B is another example of an additive manufacturing apparatus with a recoating mechanism.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly of a plurality of 3D objects designed using a computer.

[0016] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure designed using a computer.

[0017] FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure illustrated in of FIG. 6A. [0018] FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating an example digital representation of an assembly of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure designed using a computer.

[0019] FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure illustrated in of FIG. 7A.

[0020] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure designed using a computer.

[0021] FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure illustrated in of FIG. 8A.

[0022] FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure designed using a computer.

[0023] FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure illustrated in of FIG. 9A.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating example beam types of the one or more beams shown in FIG. 6B.

[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly (e.g., the assembly of FIG. 5) of a plurality of 3D objects confined within a freeform enclosure (e.g., sinter box, box, etc.) designed using a computer (e.g., computer of FIG. 1).

[0026] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example freeform enclosure.

[0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example process for generating an enclosure for containing a plurality of objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Systems and methods disclosed herein include techniques for generating an enclosure (e.g., a box, a sinter box, etc.) for containing a plurality of objects. In some examples, a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) objects may be generated on a computing system such as using computer-aided design (CAD). In order to have the plurality of object manufactured in an additive manufacturing process, the plurality of objects may be arranged as an assembly, so that the plurality of objects can fit within a build area of an additive manufacturing machine.

[0029] In some examples, the computing system may be configured to automatically design, using CAD for example, an enclosure around the assembly of objects, so that the enclosure is manufactured during the additive manufacturing process in parallel with the manufacturing of the assembly of objects. Beneficially, the enclosure prevents small objects from getting lost during the manufacturing process. The enclosure also provides a means for organizing the objects so that a user knows the location of a specific object within the enclosure. The enclosure also provides a means for cleaning the objects after completion of the manufacturing. Thus, certain aspects provide an improvement to the field of additive manufacturing, and further provide a practical application of the described techniques in the field of additive manufacturing.

[0030] Additive manufacturing processes generally include providing energy from an energy source (e.g., a laser, an electron beam, etc.) to solidify (e.g., polymerize) layers of building material (e.g., polymer, metal, etc.). For example, the additive manufacturing machine may selectively apply energy from an energy source to (e.g., print or scan) the building material based on processing parameters indicated in a job file. In another example, objects can be generated in additive manufacturing by gluing and/or binding building material by extruding material. The job file may include information regarding slices of a digital representation of an object or objects to be built using an additive manufacturing process. For example, 3D objects represented by CAD files may be arranged in a virtual build area corresponding to the build area of an additive manufacturing device. Accordingly, the build area may be characterized by a volume of space within which the objects may be manufactured. Optionally, support structures may be added to the 3D objects in the virtual build area (e.g., to improve build quality, heat dissipation, reduce deformation, etc.). The resulting 3D objects may be divided into layers or slices, as discussed. The job file, accordingly, may include slices (e.g., a stack of slices) of the 3D objects, and processing parameters of the additive manufacturing machine for building the 3D objects.

[0031] For example, for each slice, the job file may include processing parameters corresponding to a printing pattern for the energy source to apply energy to (e.g., laser to print, electron beam to print, etc.) the physical layer of building material corresponding to that slice. It should be noted that as discussed herein, the terms slice and layer may be used interchangeably. The printing pattern may include one or more vectors that each indicates a spatial position to apply the energy to the layer of building material and a direction to apply the energy to the building material (e.g., a direction to move the laser beam, electron beam, or other energy source over the building material while printing).

[0032] An additive manufacturing machine builds an object on a layer by layer basis by applying energy to (e.g., printing) the layers of building material according to the printing pattern for each individual layer as indicated in a job file. For example, the additive manufacturing machine may print a first layer of physical building material corresponding to a first slice of a digital representation of an object according to the printing pattern for the first slice. The additive manufacturing machine may then print a second layer of building material corresponding to a second slice adjacent to the first slice according to the printing pattern for the second slice. The additive manufacturing machine continues printing layers of building material corresponding to all the slices in the job file, until the layer corresponding to the last slice is printed. It should be noted that slices can be flat or can be freeform (e.g., generated through multi-axis robot material extrusion).

[0033] Though some embodiments described herein are described with respect to certain additive manufacturing techniques using certain building materials, the described systems and methods may also be used with certain other additive manufacturing techniques and/or certain other building materials as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention may be practiced within a system for designing, simulating, and/or manufacturing 3D objects. Turning to FIG. 1, an example of a computer environment suitable for the implementation of 3D object design, build simulation, and manufacturing is shown. The environment includes a system 100. The system 100 includes one or more computers 102a- 102d, which can be, for example, any workstation, server, or other computing device capable of processing information. In some embodiments, each of the computers 102a- 102d can be connected, by any suitable communications technology (e.g., an internet protocol), to a network 105 (e.g., the Internet). Accordingly, the computers 102a-102d may transmit and receive information (e.g., software, digital representations of three dimensional (3D) objects, commands or instructions to operate an additive manufacturing device, etc.) between each other via the network 105.

[0035] The system 100 further includes one or more additive manufacturing devices (e.g., 3D printers) 106a-106b. As shown the additive manufacturing device 106a is directly connected to a computer 102d (and through computer 102d connected to computers 102a- 102c via the network 105) and additive manufacturing device 106b is connected to the computers 102a- 102d via the network 105. Accordingly, one of skill in the art will understand that an additive manufacturing device 106 may be directly connected to a computer 102, connected to a computer 102 via a network 105, and/or connected to a computer 102 via another computer 102 and the network 105. [0036] It should be noted that though the system 100 is described with respect to a network and one or more computers, the techniques described herein also apply to a single computer 102, which may be directly connected to an additive manufacturing device 106.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of one example of a computer of FIG. 1. The computer 102a includes a processor 210 in data communication with a memory 220, an input device 230, and an output device 240. In some embodiments, the processor is further in data communication with an optional network interface card 260. Although described separately, it is to be appreciated that functional blocks described with respect to the computer 102a need not be separate structural elements. For example, the processor 210 and memory 220 may be embodied in a single chip.

[0038] The processor 210 can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any suitable combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0039] The processor 210 can be coupled, via one or more buses, to read information from or write information to memory 220. The processor may additionally, or in the alternative, contain memory, such as processor registers. The memory 220 can include processor cache, including a multi-level hierarchical cache in which different levels have different capacities and access speeds. The memory 220 can also include random access memory (RAM), other volatile storage devices, or non-volatile storage devices. The storage can include hard drives, flash memory, etc.

[0040] The processor 210 also may be coupled to an input device 230 and an output device 240 for, respectively, receiving input from and providing output to a user of the computer 102a. Suitable input devices include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, buttons, keys, switches, a pointing device, a mouse, a joystick, a remote control, an infrared detector, a bar code reader, a scanner, a video camera (possibly coupled with video processing software to, e.g., detect hand gestures or facial gestures), a motion detector, or a microphone (possibly coupled to audio processing software to, e.g., detect voice commands). Suitable output devices include, but are not limited to, visual output devices, including displays and printers, audio output devices, including speakers, headphones, earphones, and alarms, additive manufacturing devices, and haptic output devices.

[0041] The processor 210 further may be coupled to a network interface card 260. The network interface card 260 prepares data generated by the processor 210 for transmission via a network according to one or more data transmission protocols. The network interface card 260 also decodes data received via a network according to one or more data transmission protocols. The network interface card 260 can include a transmitter, receiver, or both. In other embodiments, the transmitter and receiver can be two separate components. The network interface card 260, can be embodied as a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any suitable combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 for manufacturing a 3D object or device. As shown, at a step 305, a digital representation of the object is designed using a computer, such as the computer 102a. For example, two dimensional (2D) or 3D data may be input to the computer 102a for aiding in designing the digital representation of the 3D object. Continuing at a step 310, information corresponding to the 3D object is sent from the computer 102a to an additive manufacturing device, such as additive manufacturing device 106, and the device 106 commences a manufacturing process for generating the 3D object in accordance with the received information. At a step 315, the additive manufacturing device 106 continues manufacturing the 3D object using suitable materials, such as a polymer or metal powder. Further, at a step 320, the 3D object is generated.

[0043] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary additive manufacturing apparatus 400 for generating a 3D object. In this example, the additive manufacturing apparatus 400 is a laser sintering device. The laser sintering device 400 may be used to generate one or more 3D objects layer by layer. The laser sintering device 400, for example, may utilize a powder (e.g., metal, polymer, etc.), such as the powder 414, to build an object a layer at a time as part of a build process.

[0044] Successive powder layers are spread on top of each other using, for example, a recoating mechanism 415A (e.g., a re-coater blade). The recoating mechanism 415A deposits powder for a layer as it moves across the build area, for example in the direction shown, or in the opposite direction if the recoating mechanism 415A is starting from the other side of the build area, such as for another layer of the build. After deposition, a computer-controlled carbon dioxide (C02) laser beam scans the surface and selectively binds together the powder particles of the corresponding cross section of the product. In some embodiments, the laser scanning device 412 is an X axis and Y axis moveable infrared laser source. As such, the laser source can be moved along an X axis and along a Y axis in order to direct its beam to a specific location of the top most layer of powder. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the laser scanning device 412 may comprise a laser scanner which receives a laser beam from a stationary laser source, and deflects it over moveable mirrors to direct the beam to a specified location in the working area of the device. During laser exposure, the powder temperature rises above the material (e.g., glass, polymer, metal) transition point after which adjacent particles flow together to create the 3D object. The device 400 may also optionally include a radiation heater (e.g., an infrared lamp) and/or atmosphere control device 416. The radiation heater may be used to preheat the powder between the recoating of a new powder layer and the scanning of that layer. In some embodiments, the radiation heater may be omitted. The atmosphere control device may be used throughout the process to avoid undesired scenarios such as, for example, powder oxidation.

[0045] In some other embodiments, such as shown with respect to FIG. 4B, a recoating mechanism 415B (e.g., a leveling drum/roller) may be used instead of the recoating mechanism 415A. Accordingly, the powder may be distributed using one or more moveable pistons 418(a) and 418(b) which push powder from a powder container 428(a) and 428(b) into a reservoir 426 which holds the formed object 424. The depth of the reservoir, in turn, is also controlled by a moveable piston 420, which increases the depth of the reservoir 426 via downward movement as additional powder is moved from the powder containers 428(a) and 428(b) in to the reservoir 426. The recoating mechanism 415B, pushes or rolls the powder from the powder container 428(a) and 428(b) into the reservoir 426. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the embodiment in FIG. 4B may use the radiation heater alone for preheating the powder between recoating and scanning of a layer.

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly 500 of a plurality of 3D objects designed using a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1). For example, the assembly 500 may be represented by a CAD file, and the plurality of 3D objects may be arranged in a virtual build area corresponding to the build area of an additive manufacturing device (e.g., additive manufacturing device 106 of FIG. 1). Here, each of the plurality of 3D objects have unique shape and size characteristics. Each of the objects in the assembly 500 is positioned within a 3D space, or virtual build area, thereby providing each of the 3D objects with a position having X, Y, and Z coordinates within the virtual build area.

[0047] Note however, that while each of the plurality of 3D objects are arranged in the assembly 500 according to the build area of the additive manufacturing device 106, there is no structure to prevent or restrict the movement of the objects after their manufacture. Thus, while the location of each of the objects within the assembly 500 is known, once they have been manufactured, the objects may shift and reorganize themselves. As such, each of the objects may have to be identified and distinguished from the other objects by hand. Moreover, after manufacturing of the plurality of objects, each object may have to be cleaned and sorted individually.

Example Techniques for Generating an Enclosure for Containing a Plurality of Objects

[0048] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly (e.g., the assembly 500 of FIG. 5) of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure 600 (e.g., sinter box, box, etc.) designed using, for example CAD software on, a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1). The enclosure 600 may include a generally rectangular cuboid shape, or any other suitable shape that can accommodate the size and shape of the assembly 500 and the build area of the additive manufacturing device (e.g., additive manufacturing device 106 of FIG. 1). It should be noted that while FIG. 6A illustrates the enclosure 600 as having a generally rectangular shape, the enclosure 600 may comprise any suitable shape or form that can accommodate the assembly 500 of objects contained within it.

[0049] As discussed, 3D objects represented by CAD files may initially be arranged in a virtual build area using the computer 102. For example, a CAD file may include a design of a plurality of objects, the design indicating the shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to the build area of the additive manufacturing device 106.

[0050] Using the computer 102, the enclosure 600 may be designed such that the enclosure 600 is defined around the assembly 500 and within the virtual build area. In some examples, defining the enclosure 600 may include: (i) defining a plurality of outer walls 622, and (ii) defining one or more inner walls within the enclosure. Here, the outer walls 622 may include walls of the enclosure 600 that are located between the objects and the build area. That is, the outer walls 622 are the exterior walls of the enclosure 600 that bound the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the outer walls 622. In this example, the outer walls 622 form a cuboid shape. Consequently, the inner space of the enclosure 600 may be a rectangular cuboid shaped inner space.

[0051] In some examples, one or more of the outer walls 622 may be defined such that they occupy the outermost regions of the build area, or regions within the build area. In one example, one or more of the outer walls 622 may be defined such that the outer walls 622 bound less than all of the objects in the assembly 500 of objects. In this way, only one object or a subset of objects in the assembly 500 may be bounded by the enclosure 600.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, each of the plurality of outer walls 622 and the one or more inner walls may be characterized by a plurality of perforations. By making the outer and inner walls perforated, excess material (e.g., metal and/or polymer material) can be salvaged after the manufacturing process. For example, by shaking or moving the enclosure 600, excess material that has been trapped in the enclosure 600 or the objects of the assembly 500 can be collected as it falls through the perforations. The perforations also provide the additional benefit of allowing the use of forced element tools (e.g., air compressor tools, water compressor tools) to force air or water into the enclosure 600 to clean the objects contained therein. It should be noted that although FIG. 6A illustrates the perforations as a plurality of rectangular perforations, other shapes are also contemplated including circular and triangular (e.g., using inclined beams) perforations.

[0053] In some examples, each of the plurality of outer walls 622 and the one or more inner walls are formed by a plurality of vertical beams and horizontal beams. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, each of the plurality of vertical beams on each outer wall 622 run parallel to other vertical beams on the same outer wall 622. Similarly, each of the plurality of horizontal beams on each outer wall 622 run parallel to other horizontal beams on the same outer wall 622. The one or more inner walls of the enclosure may be similarly constructed, as shown in FIGs. 6B and 6C. As such, the perforations in the plurality of outer walls 622 and the one or more inner walls may be sized according to a distance between the vertical beams of the plurality of vertical beams and a distance between the horizontal beams of the plurality of horizontal beams. In some examples, the size of the perforations in the plurality of outer walls 622 and the one or more inner walls may be modified by a user or computer 102, such that the perforations are larger in certain areas of the enclosure 600, and smaller in other areas of the enclosure 600. For example, while larger objects may not require outer walls 622 and inner walls having a dense array of vertical and horizontal beams, smaller objects may require a relatively denser array of vertical and horizontal beams to prevent the objects from passing through the outer and inner walls.

[0054] In certain aspects, defining the enclosure 600 may include defining a first thickness of the beams that form the plurality of outer walls 622 and defining a second thickness of the beams that form the one or more inner walls. For example, the beams that form the plurality of outer walls 622 may be thicker than the beams that form the one or more inner walls. Such a variance in beam thickness provides for a relatively stronger structure of the enclosure 600, while reducing the amount of material required to form the one or more inner walls during manufacturing.

[0055] In some examples, defining the plurality of outer walls 622 may include defining the plurality of outer walls 622 such that the inner space is generally a spherical shape. In some examples, one or more of the plurality of outer walls 622 may be defined such that the inner space includes a hemispherical shape or a semi-hemispherical shape.

[0056] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls of the enclosure 600 includes defining an outer access panel (not shown) on one or more of the plurality of outer walls. Here, the outer access panel may be movable along a hinge of a corresponding outer wall to provide access to one or more of the plurality of objects contained in the enclosure 600 after manufacture without breaking the enclosure 600. In some examples, an outer wall of the enclosure 600 may include a plurality of access panels, wherein each access panel is configured for accessing a specific one or more of the plurality of objects contained in the enclosure 600. For example, a first outer wall of the enclosure 600 may include a first access panel and a second access panel. The first access panel may provide access to a first object in a first inner subspace, while the second access panel may provide access to a second object in a second inner subspace.

[0057] In some examples, the enclosure 600 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using different materials. For example, the enclosure 600 may be generated using a first material (e.g., polymer), while one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using a second material (e.g., metal). In some examples, the enclosure 600 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material. In some examples, the enclosure 600 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material using the same properties (e.g., thickness, density, shape, yield stress, fracture toughness, etc.). In some examples, the enclosure 600 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material using different properties (e.g., thickness, density, shape, yield stress, fracture toughness, etc.). For example, the enclosure 600 may be generated using a first material (e.g., polymer) with a first property, while one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the first material with a second property. [0058] FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure 600 illustrated in of FIG. 6A. Here, the inner space of the enclosure 600 is separated or partitioned by a plurality of inner walls 624 into a plurality of inner subspaces 626a-d defined using CAD. As shown, the inner walls 624 that enclose the inner subspaces 626a-d may be defined according to the shape and size of the object contained within the inner subspaces as well as the shape and size of neighboring objects. That is, the inner walls 624 are walls inside the enclosure 600 that bound the plurality of objects within a respective inner subspace. In some examples, the inner walls provide multiple levels within the enclosure 600. For example, horizontally oriented inner walls may separate an object from other objects on top or below the object. Moreover, vertically oriented inner walls may separate an object from other objects adjacent to the object and on the same horizontal plane as the object. It should be noted that although FIG. 6B illustrates a plurality of inner walls 624, embodiments that are limited to a single inner wall are also contemplated.

[0059] In some examples, the plurality of inner walls 624 may be defined to separate the inner space of the enclosure 600 into a plurality of inner subspaces 626a-d, such that each inner subspace accommodates the shape of one or more of the plurality of objects. For example, the one or more inner walls 624 may be defined such that movement of an object enclosed within the one or more inner walls 624 is restricted to within the inner subspace. In some examples, the one or more inner walls 624 may be defined according to the shape of the enclosed object. For instance, the shape of the enclosed object may be used to define the inner walls 624 such that a curvature or shape of the inner walls 624 follows the shape of the object. In this example, defining the inner walls 624 in such a way may reduce the freedom of movement of the enclosed object.

[0060] Similar to the outer walls 622, the inner walls 624 may generally be formed by a plurality of vertical beams and horizontal beams. In some examples, the inner walls 624 may include additional layers of vertical and horizontal beams that make the inner walls 624 thicker in some areas. For example, a first object may be adjacent to a second object, but due to their respective shapes, there may be one or more relatively large spaces between the objects. In order to reduce their freedom of movement, the inner walls 624 may be thicker in some areas to fill in the one or more relatively large spaces. In some examples, the thickness of the inner walls 624 may be increased by additional inner walls. For example, to fill a relatively wide gap between two objects, an inner wall 624 between the two objects may be defined by a plurality of vertical inner walls, where each of the plurality of vertical inner walls are connected to at least one other vertical inner wall by one or more horizontal beams. In some examples, the volume occupied by the inner walls 624 may be expanded in certain areas by increasing the distance between the vertical and horizontal beams. For example, the distance between the vertical and horizontal beams may be increased such that the perforations in the inner walls are larger. In some examples, the thickness of the vertical and horizontal beams may also be increased.

[0061] It should be noted that the beams may not be limited to vertical beams and horizontal beams. In some examples, the outer walls 622 and the inner walls 624 may be formed by one or more inclined beams, wherein each inclined beam is inclined by one or more angles relative to a vertical or horizontal axis. Thus, in some examples, the outer walls 622 and/or the inner walls 624 may be formed by inclined beams, or a combination of vertical beams, horizontal beams, and/or inclined beams.

[0062] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of inner walls 624 of the enclosure 600 includes defining an inner access panel (not shown) on one or more of the plurality of inner walls 624 such that a user may have access to an inner subspace (e.g., a first inner subspace 626c) via another inner subspace (e.g., a second inner subspace 626d). Here, the inner access panel may be movable along a hinge of a corresponding inner wall to provide access to one or more of the plurality of objects contained in the inner subspaces 626 without breaking one or more of the plurality of inner walls 624. In some examples, an inner wall of the enclosure 600 may include a plurality of access panels, wherein each access panel is configured for accessing a specific one or more of the plurality of objects contained in an inner subspace.

[0063] In certain aspects, defining the inner walls 624 may also include defining one or more beams 630a/630b coupling one or more of the plurality of objects to one or more of the inner walls 624 and/or the outer walls 622. For examples, a first beam 630a of the one or more beams may couple a first object of the plurality of objects to a first inner wall of the plurality of inner walls 624. In this example, the first inner wall may define, in part, a first inner subspace 626c containing the first object. In another example, a second beam 630b of the one or more beams may couple the first object to a first outer wall of the plurality of outer walls 622. In this example, the first outer wall may also define, in part, the first inner subspace 626c containing the first object. The thickness and location of the one or more beams 630a/630b may be user configurable via the computer 102.

[0064] In some examples, the plurality of inner walls 624 of the enclosure 600 may be defined using a Voronoi algorithm that uses each of the plurality of objects as seeds to define the plurality of inner walls 624. For instance, the Voronoi algorithm may subdivide the inner space of the enclosure 600 into a finite number of inner subspaces. For example, the Voronoi algorithm may define the volume and shape of each of the inner subspaces based on the size and shape of the corresponding object and adjacent objects. Other parameters determined by the Voronoi algorithm may include thickness of the beams, the number of beams, the thickness of the inner walls 624, direction of the inner walls 624, the size and/or number of the perforations in the inner walls 624, etc.

[0065] In some examples, the plurality of inner walls 624 of the enclosure 600 may be defined using any other suitable algorithm (e.g., Delaunay triangulation, Dirichlet tessellation, Fortune's algorithm, Bowyer-Watson algorithm, etc.), or alternatively, an algorithm configured to provide manual definition of the plurality of inner walls 624 via user input. It should be noted that one or more of the algorithms described herein may be used as part of a CAD software operating on the computer 102.

[0066] In one example, a user may utilize the computer 102 to create walls around each object. For instance, starting from one side of the assembly 500 of objects, the user may create one or more walls around the plurality of until the desired inner walls are completed. In another example, the user may utilize the computer 102 to draw virtual boxes around each of the objects in the assembly 500 and then merge the virtual boxes together. Here, the edges of the boxes may indicate the paths of the plurality of inner walls 624.

[0067] In certain aspects, defining the enclosure 600 around the plurality of objects may include defining an outer label 628a on at least one of the plurality of outer walls 622 of the enclosure 600 and/or an inner label 628b on at least one of the one or more inner walls 624 of the enclosure 600. In some examples, the label may include one or more of a text label (e.g., using any suitable symbols or alphanumeric characters), a data matrix, a quick response (QR) code, an Aztec code, or any other suitable symbol or code for labeling the enclosure 600. In some examples, such labels may describe the contents, ownership, type, place of manufacture, identification, and/or any other information regarding the enclosure 900 and its contents. [0068] FIG. 7 A is a perspective view illustrating an example digital representation of an assembly (e.g., the assembly 500 of FIG. 5) of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure 700 (e.g., sinter box, box, etc.) designed using, for example CAD software on, a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1).

[0069] Similar to the examples shown in FIGs. 6A and 6B, the enclosure 700 may be defined, by a computer 102, around the plurality of objects and within the build area. In some examples, defining the enclosure 700 may include: (i) defining a plurality of outer walls 722, and (ii) defining one or more inner walls within the enclosure.

[0070] In some examples, the plurality of outer walls 722 are designed such that each of the plurality of outer walls 722 is at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of objects. For example, the shape of an object may include a surface with rather dramatic contours, such as a large base that tapers to a relatively narrow top (e.g., a conical shape). In such an example, an outer wall 722 that is adjacent to the object may be defined such that the outer wall 722 follows the contours of the shape. Accordingly, a portion of the outer wall 722 that is adjacent to the large base might protrude outward, then taper with the surface of the object such that the outer wall contracts inward with the tapering of the object.

[0071] In certain aspects, the plurality of outer walls 722 may be defined such that the inner space is essentially a union of a plurality of rectangular cuboids. Using the example enclosure 700 illustrated in FIG. 7A, the plurality of outer walls 722 are shaped to keep at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of objects each object in the assembly 500 of objects. Accordingly, the plurality of outer walls 722 may be contoured such that the inner space may be characterized as a union of a plurality of rectangular cuboids.

[0072] In some examples, the plurality of outer walls 722 may be defined by using a voxelization process on one or more of the 3D objects in the assembly 500. Voxelization is a technique for representing a particular 3D shape as a collection of voxels, where voxels are subdivisions of 3D space. Voxelization generally involves determining which voxels in a particular volume are considered to be occupied by a 3D object, and which voxels in the volume are considered to be not occupied by (or “external to”) the 3D object. In one example, the computer 102 may perform a voxelization process on the one or more 3D objects defined by the CAD file. Here, the computer 102 may define the plurality of outer walls 722 by voxelizing the one or more of the plurality of objects to generate a plurality of voxels corresponding to the object(s). The computer 102 may then define the plurality of outer walls to have a shape that conforms to the plurality of voxels while maintaining at least a threshold distance from any of the plurality of voxels. Alternatively, the computer 102 may define the plurality of outer walls to have a shape that conforms to the one or more objects while maintaining at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of voxels (e.g., voxels corresponding to the one or more objects).

[0073] In some examples, the enclosure 700 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using different materials. For example, the enclosure 700 may be generated using a first material (e.g., polymer), while one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using a second material (e.g., metal). In some examples, the enclosure 700 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material. In some examples, the enclosure 700 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material using the same properties (e.g., thickness, density, shape, yield stress, fracture toughness, etc.). In some examples, the enclosure 700 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material using different properties (e.g., thickness, density, shape, yield stress, fracture toughness, etc.). For example, the enclosure 700 may be generated using a first material (e.g., polymer) with a first property, while one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the first material with a second property. [0074] FIG. 7B is a cross section of the enclosure 700 shown in of FIG. 7A. Here, the inner space of the enclosure 700 is separated or partitioned by a plurality of inner walls 724 into a plurality of inner subspaces 726a-d, all of which may be defined using CAD. As shown, the inner walls 724 that enclose the inner subspaces 726a-d may be defined according to the shape and size of the object contained within the inner subspaces as well as the shape and size of neighboring objects. It should be noted that although FIG. 7B illustrates a plurality of inner walls 724, embodiments that are limited to a single inner wall are also contemplated.

[0075] In certain aspects, defining the enclosure 700 around the plurality of objects may include defining an outer label 728a on at least one of the plurality of outer walls 722 of the enclosure 700 and/or an inner label (not shown) on at least one of the one or more inner walls 724 of the enclosure 700. In some examples, the label may include text using any suitable alphanumeric characters. [0076] Once the enclosure (e.g., enclosure 600 of FIGs. 6A and 6B, or enclosure 700 of FIGs. 7A and 7B) has been defined within the build area and around the plurality of objects, the computer 102 may modify the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the modified design to be used by the additive manufacturing device 106 to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process.

[0077] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly (e.g., the assembly 500 of FIG. 5) of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure 800 (e.g., sinter box, box, etc.) designed using CAD software on a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1). The enclosure 800 may include a generally rectangular cuboid shape, or any other suitable shape that can accommodate the size and shape of the assembly 500 and the build area of the additive manufacturing device (e.g., additive manufacturing device 106 of FIG. 1). It should be noted that while FIG. 8 A illustrates the enclosure 800 as having a generally rectangular shape, the enclosure 800 may comprise any suitable shape or form that can accommodate the assembly 500 of objects contained within it.

[0078] Here, the enclosure 800 is structurally similar to the enclosure illustrated in FIG. 6A, except that the instant enclosure 800 includes a label 802 on an outer wall. In this example, the label 802 is similar to the labels illustrated in FIGs. 6B and 7B, in that the label 802 may include text describing the contents of the enclosure. As with the labels illustrated in FIGs. 6B and 7B, the label 802 of FIG. 8 A and its text may be designed using a computer and generated during an additive manufacturing process.

[0079] FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure 800 illustrated in of FIG. 8A. In this example, a few contents of the assembly 500 are visible within the enclosure 800.

[0080] FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly (e.g., the assembly 500 of FIG. 5) of a plurality of 3D objects confined within an enclosure 900 (e.g., sinter box, box, etc.) designed using, for example CAD software on, a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1). In this example, the enclosure may be designed and generated using processes and techniques that are the same or similar to those described in FIGs. 7 A and 7B.

[0081] Here, the enclosure 900 is structurally similar to the enclosure illustrated in FIG. 7A, except that the instant enclosure 900 includes a label 902 on an outer wall. In this example, the label 902 is similar to the labels illustrated in FIGs. 6B and 7B, in that the label 902 may include one or more of a text label, a data matrix, a QR code, or an Aztec code. As with the labels illustrated in FIGs. 6B and 7B, the label 902 of FIG. 9A and its text may be designed using a computer and generated during an additive manufacturing process.

[0082] FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view of the enclosure 900 illustrated in of FIG. 9A. In this example, a few contents of the assembly 500 are visible within the enclosure 900. It should be noted that the position of the labels in FIGs. 6B, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B may be determined by a user, or alternatively, by an algorithm on the computer 102. For example, a user may provide the computer 102 with an input of the label text, and the computer 102 may determine a position of the label using an existing surface of the enclosure that is large enough to accommodate the text. Alternatively, if there is no existing outer wall or inner wall surface of the enclosure that is large enough to accommodate the label text, the computer 102 may add an additional outer wall layer to the enclosure in order to accommodate the text.

[0083] In some examples, the enclosure 900 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using different materials. For example, the enclosure 900 may be generated using a first material (e.g., polymer), while one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using a second material (e.g., metal). In some examples, the enclosure 900 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material. In some examples, the enclosure 900 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material using the same properties (e.g., thickness, density, shape, yield stress, fracture toughness, etc.). In some examples, the enclosure 900 and one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the same material using different properties (e.g., thickness, density, shape, yield stress, fracture toughness, etc.). For example, the enclosure 900 may be generated using a first material (e.g., polymer) with a first property, while one or more pieces of the assembly 500 may be generated using the first material with a second property. [0084] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating example beam types of the one or more beams shown in FIG. 6B. Here, FIG. 10 includes an enclosure 1002 with an inner subspace 1012 containing an object 1010. One or more walls of the enclosure 1002 may be inner walls or outer walls.

[0085] In a first example, FIG. 10 illustrates one or more beams 1004 coupling the object 1010 to the enclosure 1002. As discussed, the thickness and location of the one or more beams 1004 may be user configurable or determined by an algorithm based on the size and weight of the object 1010. [0086] In a second example, FIG. 10 illustrates a first set of tree beams 1006 coupling the object 1010 to the enclosure 1002. Here, a single beam (base beam) coupled to the enclosure 1002 may be connected to multiple beams (tree beams) coupled to the object 1010. Similarly, a second set of tree beams 1008 may couple the object 1010 to the enclosure 1002, where only a single beam is coupled to the object 1010 and connected to multiple beams coupled to the enclosure 1002. It should be noted that one or more of the first set of tree beams 1006, the one or more beams 1004, and the second set of tree beams 1008 may be determined and defined by a user, or alternatively, by an algorithm automatically on the computer 102.

[0087] As discussed, a user may select a type of beam, a number of beams, and location of the beams. Similarly, an algorithm may determine the type, number, and location of the beams based on a size and weight of the object.

[0088] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an example digital representation of an assembly (e.g., the assembly 500 of FIG. 5) of a plurality of 3D objects confined within a freeform enclosure 1100 (e.g., sinter box, box, etc.) designed using, for example CAD software on, a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1). The freeform enclosure 1100 may include any suitable shape that can accommodate the size and shape of the assembly 500 and the build area of the additive manufacturing device (e.g., additive manufacturing device 106 of FIG. 1).

[0089] Using the computer 102, the freeform enclosure 1100 may be designed such that the freeform enclosure 1100 is defined around the assembly 500 and within the virtual build area. In this example, the outer walls include a freeform shape determined by the shape of the assembly 500. For example, if one side of the assembly 500 has a concave surface, then an outer wall of the enclosure freeform 1100 adjacent to that concave surface may also have a relatively concave surface. In some examples, a user may determine the shape and form of the outer walls of the freeform enclosure 1100. Alternatively, a freeform computer algorithm may be used to determine the shape and form of the outer walls of the freeform enclosure 1100 based on the shape and form of the outer surface of the assembly. As such, the freeform enclosure 1100 may accommodate any angles and shapes of the assembly 500.

[0090] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example freeform enclosure 1200. In this example, the freeform enclosure 1200 includes an outer wall 1202 and an inner wall 1204, and contains a first object 1206 in a first inner subspace 1210 and a second object 1208 in a second inner subspace 1212. As discussed, the outer wall 1202 of the freeform enclosure 1200 may be designed to fit around any angle and shape of the objects contained within it. Similarly, any inner walls 1204 of the freeform enclosure 1200 may also be designed according to the angles and shapes of the objects contained within it. As such, the inner spaces (1210 and 1212) of the freeform enclosure 1200 may be formed according to the shape and size of the objects therein. The freeform enclosure 1200 may be determined and defined by a user, or alternatively, by an algorithm automatically on the computer 102.

[0091] It should be noted that one or more aspects of the examples illustrated and described in the foregoing can be combined with one or more aspects from other of the examples illustrated and described, and still be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example process 1300 for selecting processing parameters for build of an object using additive manufacturing. The process 1300 may be performed by a suitable computing device, such as a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1).

[0093] At block 1302, the process 1300 receives a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating the shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device.

[0094] At block 1304, the process 1300 defines the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: (i) defining a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and (ii) defining one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner subspaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects.

[0095] At block 1306, the process 1300 modifies the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process.

[0096] In certain aspects, defining the one or more inner walls of the enclosure further comprises executing a Voronoi algorithm using the plurality of objects as seeds to define the one or more inner walls; or executing a freeform algorithm to define the one or more inner walls.

[0097] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a rectangular cuboid; or defining the plurality of outer walls using a freeform algorithm such that the inner space is based on a shape of an outer surface of the plurality of objects.

[0098] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a rectangular cuboid comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that each of the plurality of outer walls is at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of objects.

[0099] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a union of a plurality of rectangular cuboids.

[0100] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls comprises: (i) voxelizing the plurality of objects to generate a plurality of voxels corresponding to the plurality of objects; and (ii) defining the plurality of outer walls to have a shape conforming to the plurality of voxels while maintaining at least a threshold distance from any of the plurality of voxels.

[0101] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls comprises: defining the plurality of outer walls to have a shape conforming to the plurality of objects while maintaining at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of voxels.

[0102] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls of the enclosure further comprises defining an outer access panel on at least one of the plurality of outer walls, the outer access panel being movable along a hinge with respect to the plurality of outer walls to provide access to one or more of the plurality of objects in the enclosure after manufacture without breaking the enclosure. In certain aspects, defining the one or more inner walls of the enclosure further comprises defining an inner access panel on at least one of the one or more inner walls, the inner access panel being movable along a hinge with respect to the plurality of inner walls to provide access to one or more of the plurality of objects in the enclosure after manufacture without breaking the one or more inner walls.

[0103] In certain aspects, defining the enclosure around the plurality of objects further comprises defining a label on at least one of the plurality of outer walls of the enclosure.

[0104] In certain aspects, defining the enclosure around the plurality of objects further comprises defining a label on at least one of the one or more inner walls of the enclosure.

[0105] In certain aspects, the plurality of outer walls and the one or more inner walls each comprise a plurality of beams defining a plurality of rectangular perforations.

[0106] In certain aspects, the plurality of outer walls and the one or more inner walls each comprise a plurality of perforations. [0107] In certain aspects, the process 1300 further comprises defining one or more beams coupling one or more of the plurality of objects to the enclosure.

[0108] In certain aspects, a first beam of the one or more beams couples a first object of the plurality of objects to a first inner wall of the one or more inner walls that in part defines a first inner subspace of the plurality of inner spaces containing the first object.

[0109] In certain aspects, a first beam of the one or more beams couples a first object of the plurality of objects to a first outer wall of the plurality of outer walls.

[0110] In certain aspects, the one or more inner walls have a reduced thickness as compared to the plurality of outer walls.

[0111] In certain aspects, defining the plurality of outer walls comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a sphere.

[0112] Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for the use of a computer control system. A skilled artisan will readily appreciate that these embodiments may be implemented using numerous different types of computing devices, including both general purpose and/or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use in connection with the embodiments set forth above may include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments (e.g., networks, cloud computing systems, etc.) that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. These devices may include stored instructions, which, when executed by a microprocessor in the computing device, cause the computer device to perform specified actions to carry out the instructions. As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.

[0113] A microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS® processor, a Power PC® processor, or an Alpha® processor. In addition, the microprocessor may be any conventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor. The microprocessor typically has conventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines. [0114] Aspects and embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein may be implemented as a method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. The term "article of manufacture" as used herein refers to code or logic implemented in hardware or non- transitory computer readable media such as optical storage devices, and volatile or non-volatile memory devices or transitory computer readable media such as signals, carrier waves, etc. Such hardware may include, but is not limited to, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), microprocessors, or other similar processing devices.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for generating an enclosure for containing a plurality of objects, the method comprising: receiving a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating a shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device; defining the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: defining a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and defining one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner subspaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects; and modifying the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the one or more inner walls of the enclosure further comprises: executing a Voronoi algorithm using the plurality of objects as seeds to define the one or more inner walls; or executing a freeform algorithm to define the one or more inner walls.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the plurality of outer walls comprises: defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a rectangular cuboid; or defining the plurality of outer walls using a freeform algorithm such that the inner space is based on a shape of an outer surface of the plurality of objects.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is the rectangular cuboid comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that each of the plurality of outer walls is at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of objects.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the plurality of outer walls comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a union of a plurality of rectangular cuboids.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein defining the plurality of outer walls comprises: voxelizing the plurality of objects to generate a plurality of voxels corresponding to the plurality of objects; and defining the plurality of outer walls to have a shape conforming to the plurality of voxels while maintaining at least a threshold distance from any of the plurality of voxels.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein defining the plurality of outer walls comprises: voxelizing the plurality of objects to generate a plurality of voxels corresponding to the plurality of objects; and defining the plurality of outer walls to have a shape conforming to the plurality of objects while maintaining at least a threshold distance from any surface of any of the plurality of voxels.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of: defining the plurality of outer walls of the enclosure further comprises defining an outer access panel on at least one of the plurality of outer walls, the outer access panel being movable along a hinge with respect to the plurality of outer walls to provide access to one or more of the plurality of objects in the enclosure after manufacture without breaking the enclosure; or defining the one or more inner walls of the enclosure further comprises defining an inner access panel on at least one of the one or more inner walls, the inner access panel being movable along a hinge with respect to the plurality of inner walls to provide access to one or more of the plurality of objects in the enclosure after manufacture without breaking the one or more inner walls.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the enclosure around the plurality of objects further comprises one more of: defining a label on at least one of the plurality of outer walls of the enclosure; or defining a label on at least one of the one or more inner walls of the enclosure.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the enclosure around the plurality of objects further comprises defining one or more of the plurality of outer walls or the one or more inner walls using a material different from another material used to define the plurality of objects.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outer walls and the one or more inner walls each comprise a plurality of beams defining a plurality of rectangular perforations.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer walls and the one or more inner walls each comprise a plurality of perforations.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising defining one or more beams coupling one or more of the plurality of objects to the enclosure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a first beam of the one or more beams couples a first object of the plurality of objects to a first inner wall of the one or more inner walls that in part defines a first inner subspace of the plurality of inner subspaces containing the first object.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein a first beam of the one or more beams couples a first object of the plurality of objects to a first outer wall of the plurality of outer walls.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more inner walls have a reduced thickness as compared to the plurality of outer walls.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the plurality of outer walls comprises defining the plurality of outer walls such that the inner space is a sphere.

18. A non- transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method for generating an enclosure for containing a plurality of objects, the method comprising: receiving a design of the plurality of objects, the design indicating a shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device; defining the enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: defining a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and defining one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner subspaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects; and modifying the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein defining the one or more inner walls of the enclosure further comprises: executing a Voronoi algorithm using the plurality of objects as seeds to define the one or more inner walls; or executing a freeform algorithm to define the one or more inner walls.

20. A computing device comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor and memory configured to: receive a design of a plurality of objects, the design indicating a shape, size, and position of each of the plurality of objects relative to a build area corresponding to an additive manufacturing device; define an enclosure within the build area and around the plurality of objects, wherein defining the enclosure comprises: define a plurality of outer walls of the enclosure bounding all of the plurality of objects within an inner space defined by the plurality of outer walls; and define one or more inner walls of the enclosure, the one or more inner walls separating the inner space into a plurality of inner subspaces, each inner subspace containing different one or more objects of the plurality of objects; and modify the design of the plurality of objects to include the defined enclosure, the design being used by the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the plurality of objects and the enclosure at a same time using an additive manufacturing process.