PORE REMOVAL FROM SCREEN DEVICES TO INCREASE FLOW UNIFORMITY

According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor that may access information about a screen device having pores, in which the screen device is to be employed to filter liquid from a slurry composed of the liquid and material elements to form a part from the material elements. The processor may also access information about a main body, in which the main body is to support the screen device during formation of the part and has a plurality of openings that are larger than the pores in the screen device. The processor may identify, based on relative locations of the pores and the openings, pores that are to be removed from the screen device to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores across the screen device and may modify the accessed information about the screen device to remove the identified pores from the screen device.

BACKGROUND

Various types of products may be fabricated from a pulp of material. Particularly, a pulp molding die that includes a main body and a wire mesh may be immersed in the pulp of material and the material in the pulp may form into the shape of the main body and the wire mesh. The main body and the wire mesh may have a desired shape of the product to be formed and may thus have a complex shape in some instances. The main body and the wire mesh may include numerous pores for liquid passage, in which the pores in the wire mesh may be significantly smaller than the pores in the main body. During formation of the product, a vacuum force may be applied through the pulp molding die which may cause the material in the pulp to be sucked onto the wire mesh and form into a shape that matches the shape of the pulp molding die. The material may be removed from the wire mesh and may be solidified to have the desired shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media, in which a processor may identify pores that are to be removed from a screen device, which may be part of a pulp molding die (or equivalently, a mold tool set), to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores across the screen device. The processor may also modify information about the screen device to remove the identified pores from the screen device in the modified information. In some examples, the processor may also identify pillars that may form channels between the screen device and a main body (e.g., a mold) that are to be removed or removed. The pillars may be part of the screen device and may thus be removed or moved from the screen device. In any regard, the processor may identify the pillars that are to be removed or moved to further increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores across the screen device.

Through implementation of the features of the present disclosure, the pores in a 3D fabricated screen device may be designed to enable parts formed on the screen device to be fabricated in an efficient manner. For instance, by increasing (or in some instances, maximizing) uniformity of liquid flow through the pores across the screen device, the uniformity of the rates at which sections of a part may be formed from material elements across the screen device may be increased (or in some instances, maximized). As a result, the part may not have sections that are built up more slowly, which may require that additional time be taken to build up those sections. Instead, the uniform build-up of the sections of the part may enable the part to be formed at an increased efficiency level, e.g., at a minimized length of time, with a minimized amount of material elements, or the like.

Reference is first made toFIGS.1and2A-2C.FIG.1shows a block diagram of an example apparatus100that may identify pores204that are to be removed from a screen device202to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores204across the screen device202.FIG.2Ashows a cross-sectional side view of an example pulp molding die200in which the example screen device202discussed with respect toFIG.1may be implemented.FIG.2Bshows an enlarged view of a section of the pulp molding die200shown inFIG.1andFIG.2Cshows a view similar toFIG.2B, with some pores204and pillars206removed. It should be understood that the example apparatus100depicted inFIG.1and/or the example pulp molding die200depicted inFIGS.2A-2Cmay include additional features and that some of the features described herein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scopes of the apparatus100and/or the pulp molding die200.

The apparatus100may be a computing system such as a server, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or the like. As shown, the apparatus100may include a processor102, which may be a semiconductor-based microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or other suitable hardware device. The apparatus100may also include a memory110that may have stored thereon machine-readable instructions (which may also be termed computer-readable instructions) that the processor102may execute. The memory110may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. The memory110may be, for example, Random-Access memory (RAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an optical disc, and the like. The memory110, which may also be referred to as a computer readable storage medium, may be a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, where the term “non-transitory” does not encompass transitory propagating signals.

Although the apparatus100is depicted as having a single processor102, it should be understood that the apparatus100may include additional processors and/or cores without departing from a scope of the apparatus100. In this regard, references to a single processor102as well as to a single memory110may be understood to additionally or alternatively pertain to multiple processors102and multiple memories110. In addition, or alternatively, the processor102and the memory110may be integrated into a single component, e.g., an integrated circuit on which both the processor102and the memory110may be provided.

As shown inFIG.1, the memory110may have stored thereon machine-readable instructions112-118that the processor102may execute. Although the instructions112-118are described herein as being stored on the memory110and may thus include a set of machine-readable instructions, the apparatus100may include hardware logic blocks that may perform functions similar to the instructions112-118. For instance, the processor102may include hardware components that may execute the instructions112-118. In other examples, the apparatus100may include a combination of instructions and hardware logic blocks to implement or execute functions corresponding to the instructions112-118. In any of these examples, the processor102may implement the hardware logic blocks and/or execute the instructions112-118. As discussed herein, the apparatus100may also include additional instructions and/or hardware logic blocks such that the processor102may execute operations in addition to or in place of those discussed above with respect toFIG.1.

The processor102may execute the instructions112to access information about a screen device202having pores204. The processor102may access the information via input from a user, from a data store, via a network, and/or the like. The information about the screen device202may include information such as the dimensions of the screen device202, the shape of the screen device202, the locations of the pores204within the screen device202, the orientations (e.g., the normals) of the pores204, the material or materials from which the screen device202is to be fabricated, and/or the like. In some examples, the information about the screen device202may include information that may be used to fabricate the screen device202using, for instance, a 3D fabrication system. According to examples, the information about the screen device202may be included as comma separated values, in a tabular format, or the like. In addition or alternatively, the information about the screen device202may be included as a digital model of the screen device202.

In the examples discussed herein, the screen device202may be employed to filter liquid from a slurry220composed of the liquid and material elements224to form a part from the material elements224. The liquid may be water or another type of suitable liquid in which material elements224, which may be pulp material, e.g., paper, wood, fiber crops, bamboo, or the like, may be mixed into a slurry220. The material elements224may be, for instance, fibers of the pulp material.

In addition to the pores204, the screen device202may include pillars206that may extend below the screen device202to support the screen device202on a main body210such that a channel208may be formed between the screen device202and the main body210. In other examples, the pillars206may be formed on the main body210instead of or in addition to the screen device202.

The processor102may execute the instructions114to access information about a main body210(which may equivalently be referenced as a mold) having openings214. As shown inFIG.2A, the openings214may be formed between or within a solid portion212of the main body210. The processor102may access the information about the main body210in any of the manners similar to those discussed above with respect to the information about the screen device202. According to examples, the information about the main body210may be included as comma separated values, in a tabular format, or the like. In addition or alternatively, the information about the main body210may be included as a digital model of the main body210.

According to examples, and as shown inFIGS.2A-2C, the openings214in the main body210may have circular cross-sections that may be relatively larger in diameter than the pores204in the screen device202. In other examples, the openings214may have other shapes, such as rectangular, oval, triangular, etc., shapes. In operation, a vacuum pressure may be applied from a side of the main body210opposite the screen device202when the pulp molding die200is immersed in a pulp or slurry220containing a material. As liquid in the pulp or slurry220flows through the pores204in the screen device202and the openings214in the main body210as denoted by the arrows222, the material elements224in the pulp or slurry220may be compressed onto the screen device202and may take the shape of the screen device202. Particularly, the material elements224may form into a part on the screen device202as the liquid is drawn from the slurry220and the remaining material elements224are dried.

In some examples, as the pores204in the screen device202may not exactly line up with the openings214in the main body210, the screen device202and/or the main body210may include channels208, e.g., formed by the pillars206, that may enable the flow of liquid between sections of the screen device202and the main body210that may be in contact with each other. The channels208may thus enable pressure to be applied through a larger number of the pores204and thus cause liquid to flow through the larger number of the pores204.

In some instances, liquid may flow more rapidly through the pores204, e.g., pore204a,that are positioned within the circumferences of the openings214projected from the main body toward the screen device202than the pores that are outside of the projected circumferences, e.g., pore204c.This may occur as there are fewer obstructions between the pore204aand the opening214than there are between the pore204cand the opening214. As a result, when vacuum pressure is applied, the material elements224may gather more rapidly over the pores204that are positioned in-line with the openings214than the pores204that are not positioned in-line with the openings214. This difference in the rates at which the material elements224gather may result in some sections of the part to reach intended thicknesses more quickly than other sections of the part. This difference in the rates may also cause a relatively long length of time for the sections of the part to be formed above the pores204that are not in-line with the openings214.

As disclosed herein, some of the pores204may be removed from the screen device202to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores204across the screen device202. Through increase of the uniformity of liquid flow through the pores204, the rates at which the material elements224may be collected together across the screen device202may be more uniform. As a result, the length of time in forming a part on the screen device202having intended thicknesses may be reduced and/or optimized. In this regard, the processor102may execute the instructions116to identify pores204that are to be removed. Particularly, the processor102may apply a set of rules to identify which of the pores204that are to be removed and which of the pores204are to be maintained.

As discussed above, the processor102may have accessed information that may include the identification of the locations of the pores204in the screen device202and the locations of the openings214in the main body210. According to examples, the processor102may identify the pores204that are to be removed from the screen device202based on relative locations of the pores204in the screen device202with respect to circumferences of the openings214projected from the main body210toward the screen device202when the screen device202is positioned on the main body210, for instance, as shown inFIG.2A.

By way of a particular non-limiting example, the processor102may determine that a pore204is to be removed from the screen device202based on an entire perimeter of the pore204being within the projected circumference of an opening214of the main body210. As shown inFIG.2B, pore204amay match this example. As another non-limiting example, the processor102may determine that a pore204is to be removed from the screen device202based on a center of the pore204overlapping a portion of the projected circumference of an opening214of the main body210. As shown inFIG.2B, pore204bmay match this example. As a further non-limiting example, the processor102may determine that a pore204is to be removed from the screen device202based on a center of the pore204being outside of the projected circumference of an opening214of the main body210, while a portion of the pore204is within the projected circumference of the opening214. As a yet further non-limiting example, the processor102may determine that a pore204is to be removed from the screen device202based on an entire perimeter of the pore204being outside of the projected circumference of an opening214of the main body210. In this example, the processor102may determine that the pore204is to be removed based on the perimeter of the pore204being within a certain distance to the projected circumference of the opening214.

In other examples, however, the processor102may determine that a pore204that is not completely within the projected circumference of an opening214is not to be removed. In yet other examples, the processor102may make pore removal determinations based on other criteria, such as, for instance, a density of pores204within a given location, sizes of the pores204, flow characteristics of liquid through the pores204, and/or the like. In a particular example, the processor102may maintain some of the pores that are positioned entirely within the projected circumference of the opening214while removing some or all of the pores204that are adjacent to the maintained pores204.

The processor102may determine which of the rules to follow in determining which pores204to remove based on any of a number of manners. For instance, the processor102may apply a first rule to remove some of the pores204and a screen device202with the removed pores204may be fabricated. A test may be performed on the screen device202to determine the flow properties of the liquid through screen device202. This process may be repeated for a number of different pore removal configurations to determine the pore removal configuration that may result in the highest level of liquid flow uniformity across the screen device202. In some examples, the tests may be performed empirically on fabricated screen devices202, while in other examples, the tests may be performed through use of modeling techniques, such as through implementation of computational fluid dynamics modeling.

In some examples, the processor102may determine whether removal of a pore204from the screen device202causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed a predefined distance threshold. In some instances in which the gap between pores204is relatively large, the lack of liquid flow at an area of the gap on the screen device202may result in material elements224failing to collect on the area. As a result, a thinner section of material elements224may form on the area, and may thus require a greater length of time for the material elements224to form into the part.

In order to prevent the thinner sections from forming on the screen device202, the processor102may determine whether removal of the pore204may cause a gap in the pores204that may be sufficiently large to cause an area of smaller thickness material elements224to form on the screen device202. The predefined distance threshold may be based upon, for instance, sizes of the material elements224, the concentration of material elements224in the slurry220, the amount of vacuum pressure applied through the screen device202, and/or the like. In addition, the predefined distance threshold may be determined through physical testing, modeling, and/or the like.

In any regard, based on a determination that removal of the pore204causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed the predefined distance threshold, the processor102may maintain the pore204in the screen device202.

According to examples, the processor102may access information about the pillars206that may provide a channel208between the screen device202and the main body210. The processor102may access the information about the pillars206from the information about the screen device202. That is, for instance, the pillars206may be part of the screen device202and the information about the screen device202may include information about the pillars206. In other examples, the pillars206may be part of the main body210and the information about the main body210may include information about the pillars206. In yet other examples, the information about the pillars206may be separate from both the information about the screen device202and the main body210.

In any regard, the processor102may identify, from the accessed information about the pillars206, pillars206that are to be removed or moved from their stated locations. The identification of which pillars206to remove or move may be made to increase uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. That is, some of the pillars206may be positioned at locations at which the pillars206may restrict the flow of the liquid in the channel208as compared with other locations and removal of those pillars206may increase the liquid flow222at those locations. Additionally or alternatively, the channel208may include locations where the liquid flow222is higher than other locations and movement of the pillars206from the lower flow locations to the higher flow locations may result in the flow at the locations being more uniform with respect to each other. A result of the more uniform liquid flow222through the locations of the channel208may be that liquid flow222through the pores204near those locations may also be more uniform.

The processor102may determine which of the pillars206to remove or move through implementation of empirical testing and/or computer modeling. For instance, liquid flow222characteristics through the channel208resulting from removal or movement of some of the pillars206may be determined and a determination may be made as to the uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. Additional liquid flow222characteristics through the channel208resulting from the removal or movement of others of the pillars206may be determined and determinations may be made as to the uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. Moreover, a determination may be made as to which removal and/or movement of the pillars206resulted in the greatest increase in the uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. The processor102may remove and/or move those pillars206.

By way of particular non-limiting example, the processor102may remove all of the pillars206that extend directly above an opening214. In addition, or alternatively, the processor102may remove a certain number of the pillars206and may arrange the remaining pillars206to be equidistant from each other.

According to examples, the processor102may determine whether removal or movement of a pillar206causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars206of the removed or moved pillar206to exceed a predefined span threshold. In some instances in which the span of the screen device202between pores204is relatively large, the screen device202may be bowed toward the main body210at the span, which may restrict liquid flow222at that section. This may result in a greater deviation in liquid flow at that section as compared with other locations in the channel208.

In order to prevent spans of the screen device202between the pillars206from bowing to an extent that may affect liquid flow222through the channel208, the processor102may determine whether removal or movement of the pillar206may cause a span to be sufficiently large to cause the span to bow beyond some predefined level. The predefined span threshold may be based upon, for instance, the thickness of the screen device202, the material or materials from which the screen device202is fabricated, the amount of vacuum pressure applied through the screen device202, and/or the like. In addition, the predefined span threshold may be determined through physical testing, modeling, and/or the like.

In any regard, based on a determination that removal or movement of the pillar206causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars206of the removed or moved pillar206to exceed the predefined span threshold, the processor102may maintain the pillar206.

According to examples, the processor102may identify the pores204to be removed and the pillars206to be removed or moved concurrently with each other. That is, for instance, the processor102may identify combinations of pores204and the pillars206that may be removed to increase (and/or maximize) uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. The processor102may identify the combination of pores204and pillars206to remove through empirical testing and/or modeling of different combinations of pore204and pillar206removals.

The processor102may execute the instructions118to modify the accessed information about the screen device202to remove the identified pores204from the screen device202. For instance, the processor102may modify or update the information about the screen device202to remove the identified pores204identified in the accessed information. As such, when the screen device202is fabricated using the information about the screen device202, the removed pores204may not be formed in the screen device202. In examples in which the information about the screen device202is included as comma separated values, the processor102may delete the entries corresponding to the removed pores204from the comma separated values.

The processor102may also modify the accessed information about the pillars206to remove or move the identified pillars206. For instance, the processor102may modify or update the information about the pillars206to remove or move the pillars206identified in the accessed information. As such, when the screen device202is fabricated using the information about the screen device202, the removed pillars206may not be formed in the screen device202and the moved pillars206may be formed at the moved positions on the screen device202. In examples in which the information about the pillars206is included as comma separated values, the processor102may delete the entries corresponding to the removed pillars206from the comma separated values and may add entries corresponding to the moved pillars206in the comma separated values.

An example of the screen device202with some of the pores204and some of the pillars206removed is depicted inFIG.2C. As shown inFIG.2C, the liquid flow222may differ from the liquid flow222depicted inFIG.2B. Particularly, for instance, the liquid flow222through the pores204inFIG.2Cmay be more uniform across the screen device202.

According to examples, the processor102may cause a three-dimensional (3D) fabrication system to fabricate the screen device202according to the information about the screen device202. In some examples, the processor102may also cause the 3D fabrication system300to fabricate the main body210to have openings214according to the information about the main body210. An example of a suitable 3D fabrication system300that may be employed to fabricate the screen device202, and in some examples, the main body210, is depicted inFIG.3. It should be understood that the example 3D fabrication system300depicted inFIG.3may include additional features and that some of the features described herein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scope of the 3D fabrication system300.

The build material particles302may be formed into a build material layer304on a build platform306during fabrication of the screen device202, and in some examples, the main body210. The build material particles302may include any suitable material for use in forming 3D objects, for instance, a polymer, a plastic, a ceramic, a nylon, a metal, combinations thereof, or the like, and may be in the form of a powder or a powder-like material. As shown, the 3D fabrication system300may include a recoater308, which may spread, spray, or otherwise form the build material particles302into a build material layer304as the recoater308is moved across the build platform306as indicated by the arrow310. According to examples, the build platform306may provide a build area for the build material particles302to be spread into successive layers304of build material particles302. The build platform306may be movable in a direction away from the recoater308during formation of successive build material layers304.

According to examples, the 3D fabrication system300may include decks312,314from which build material particles302may be supplied for formation into build material layers304. For instance, the deck312may supply an amount of build material particles302on top of the deck312that the recoater308may push over the build platform306as the recoater308is moved across the build platform306as denoted by the arrow310to form a build material layer304on the build platform306or on a previously formed build material layer304.

As shown, the processor102may control operations of the recoater308. In other examples, however, the 3D fabrication system300may include a separate controller (not shown) that may control operations of the recoater308in which the processor102may communicate with the controller. The processor102and/or the controller320may control other components of the 3D fabrication system300. For instance, the 3D fabrication system300may include fabrication components330and the memory110may have instructions that the processor102or controller may execute to control the fabrication components330. Particularly, the processor102or controller may control the fabrication components330to cause the build material particles302at selected locations of the build material layer304to be bound and/or fused together to form the pillars206of the screen device202in the build material layer304.

The fabrication components330may include an agent delivery device that the processor102may control to selectively deliver an agent onto the build material layer304. For instance, the processor102may control the agent delivery device to deliver a fusing agent onto the selected locations of the build material layer304that are to be bound/fused together to form the pillars206. By way of particular example, the agent delivery device may be a printhead having a plurality of nozzles in which droplet ejectors, e.g., resistors, piezoelectric actuators, and/or the like, may be provided to eject droplets of an agent through the nozzles.

According to examples, the agent may be a fusing and/or a binding agent to selectively bind and/or solidify the build material particles302on which the agent has been deposited. In particular examples, the agent may be a chemical binder, a thermally curable binder, and/or the like. In other particular examples, the agent may be a fusing agent that may increase the absorption of energy to selectively fuse the build material particles302upon which the agent has been deposited. The fabrication components330may also include another agent delivery device that the processor102may control to selectively deliver another type of agent onto the build material layer304. The other type of agent may be a detailing agent, which may inhibit or prevent fusing of build material particles302upon which the detailing agent has been deposited, for example by modifying the effect of a fusing agent.

The fabrication components330may also include an energy source that may apply energy, e.g., warming energy, onto the build material layer304, for instance, to warm the build material particles302in the build material layer304to an intended temperature. The energy source may output energy, e.g., in the form of light and/or heat and may be supported on a carriage, which may be movable across the build platform306. As such, for instance, the energy source may output energy onto the build material layer304as the carriage is moved across the build platform306to cause the build material particles302upon which the fusing agent has been deposited to melt and subsequently fuse together. In other examples, the screen device202may be formed through implementation of another fabrication technique. For instance, the screen device202may be formed through selective laser ablation, selective laser melting, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, and/or the like.

Reference is now made toFIGS.4and5A-5B, which respectively depict flow diagrams of example methods400,500for identifying pores204that are to be removed from a screen device202to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores204across the screen device202. It should be understood that the methods400,500depicted inFIGS.4and5A-5Bmay include additional operations and that some of the operations described therein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scopes of the methods400,500. The descriptions of the methods400,500are also made with reference to the features depicted inFIGS.1-3for purposes of illustration. Particularly, the processor102may execute some or all of the operations included in the methods400,500.

At block402, the processor102may access information about a screen device202having attributes that are to form matching attributes on a part, in which the part is to be formed from a slurry220composed of a liquid and material elements224. As discussed herein, the information about the screen device202may include information about pores204in the screen device202. At block404, the processor102may access information about a main body210having openings214that are larger than the pores204in the screen device202, in which the main body210is to support the screen device202during formation of the part. The information about the main body210may include about the openings214.

At block406, the processor102may identify, based on the accessed information about the screen device202and the main body210, pores204in the screen device202that are to be removed to increase uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. In addition, at block408, the processor102may modify the accessed information about the screen device202to remove the identified pores204from the screen device202.

Turning now toFIGS.5A and5B, at block502, the processor102may access information about pores204in a screen device202and openings214in a main body210. At block504, the processor102may determine relative locations of the pores204and the openings214. At block506, the processor102may identify a pore204that is to be removed from the screen device202, for instance, based on the relative locations of the pores204with respect to circumferences of the openings projected from the main body210toward the screen device202when the screen device202is positioned on the main body210.

At block508, the processor102may determine whether removal of a pore204from the screen device202causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed a predefined distance threshold. Based on a determination that removal of the pore204causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed the predefined distance threshold, at block510, the processor102may maintain the pore204in the screen device202. In addition, the processor102may identify another pore204that is to be removed at block506and may repeat blocks508-510.

However, at block508, based on a determination that removal of the pore204does not cause a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed the predefined distance threshold, at block512, the processor102may modify the accessed information about the pores204in the screen device202to remove the pore204. In addition, at block514, the processor102may determine whether there is an additional pore204that is to be considered for removal. Based on a determination that there is an additional pore204that is to be removed, the processor102may identify the pore204at block506and may repeat blocks506-514until the processor102determines that there are no additional pores204for consideration for removal.

Based, however, on a determination that there are no additional pores204for consideration for removal at block514, at block516(FIG.5B) the processor102may access information about pillars206that are to provide a channel208between the screen device202and the main body210. At block518, the processor102may identify, from the accessed information about the pillars206, a pillar206that is to be removed or moved to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores204across the screen device202. At block520, the processor may determine whether removal or movement of a pillar206causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars206of the removed or moved pillar206to exceed a predefined span threshold. Based on a determination that removal of the pillar206causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars206of the removed or moved pillar206to exceed the predefined span threshold, at block522, the processor102may maintain the pillar206.

However, based on a determination that removal of the pillar206does not cause the shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars206of the removed or moved pillar206to exceed the predefined span threshold, at block524, the processor102may modify the accessed information about the pillars206to remove or move the pillars206identified to be removed or moved. In addition, at block526, the processor102may determine whether there is an additional pillar206that is to be considered for removal or movement. Based on a determination that there is an additional pillar206that is to be removed or moved, the processor102may identify the pillar206at block518and may repeat blocks518-526until the processor102determines that there are no additional pillars206for consideration for removal.

Based on a determination that there are no additional pillars206that are to be removed or moved, the processor102may end the method500. In some examples, however, at block528, the processor102may control fabrication components330to fabricate the screen device202with the removed pores204and the removed and/or moved pillars206.

According to examples, instead of separately identifying and removing the pores204and the pillars206, the processor102may identify and remove pores204and pillars206concurrently with each other.

Some or all of the operations set forth in the methods400and500may be contained as utilities, programs, or subprograms, in any desired computer accessible medium. In addition, the methods400and500may be embodied by computer programs, which may exist in a variety of forms. For example, the methods400and500may exist as machine-readable instructions, including source code, object code, executable code or other formats. Any of the above may be embodied on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Examples of non-transitory computer readable storage media include computer system RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and magnetic or optical disks or tapes. It is therefore to be understood that any electronic device capable of executing the above-described functions may perform those functions enumerated above.

Turning now toFIG.6, there is shown a block diagram of a computer-readable medium600that may have stored thereon computer-readable instructions for identifying pores204and pillars206that are to be removed from a screen device202to increase uniformity of liquid flow through the pores204across the screen device202. It should be understood that the computer-readable medium600depicted inFIG.6may include additional instructions and that some of the instructions described herein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scope of the computer-readable medium600disclosed herein. The computer-readable medium600may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium, in which the term “non-transitory” does not encompass transitory propagating signals.

The computer-readable medium600may have stored thereon machine-readable instructions602-608that a processor, such as the processor102depicted inFIG.1, may execute. The computer-readable medium600may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. The computer-readable medium600may be, for example, Random Access memory (RAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an optical disc, and the like.

The processor may fetch, decode, and execute the instructions602to access information about a screen device202having pores204and pillars206, in which the screen device202is to be employed to filter liquid from a slurry220composed of the liquid and material elements224to form a part from the material elements224. The processor may fetch, decode, and execute the instructions604to access information about a main body210, in which the main body210is to support the screen device202during formation of the part. The main body210may have a plurality of openings214that are larger than the pores204in the screen device202. The processor may fetch, decode, and execute the instructions606to identify, based on relative locations of the pores204and the openings214, pores204and pillars206that are to be removed from the screen device202to increase uniformity of liquid flow222through the pores204across the screen device202. In addition, the processor may fetch, decode, and execute the instructions608to modify the accessed information about the screen device202to remove the identified pores204and pillars206from the screen device202.

The processor may also fetch, decode, and execute instructions to determine whether removal of a pore204from the screen device202causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed a predefined distance threshold and, based on a determination that removal of the pore204causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pores204of the removed pore204to exceed the predefined distance threshold, maintain the pore204in the screen device202. The processor may further fetch, decode, and execute instructions to determine whether removal of a pillar206causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars106of the removed pillar106to exceed a predefined span threshold and based on a determination that removal of the pillar206causes a shortest distance between nearest neighboring pillars206of the removed pillar206to exceed the predefined span threshold, maintain the pillar206.