Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for filtering components, such as hardware components, compatible with computer-modeled structures are presented. A compatible components system provides selection methods that present components compatible with computer-aided design (CAD) models designed in computer modeling software. The system executes methods designed to filter components made available to designers using attribute information of the features and attribute information of the components. Designers may interact with the compatibility methods numerous times, narrowing components through a series or number of filtering steps until a desired compatible component is easily selected. The computer modeling software may include graphical user interfaces for selecting component source locations, filtering types of components presented by the system, and adding components to CAD models.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention interfaces with a supplier database in order to provide a user with an interactive supplier list. The user may then interact with the supplier list to identify one or more preferred providers, select one or more suppliers from the supplier list, and cause the software to generate a request for pricing for each selected provider. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a discrete object from an additively manufactured body of material including a precursor to a discrete object and at least a reference feature is disclosed. The system includes an automated manufacturing device, the automated manufacturing device including at least a controller configured to receive a graphical representation of precursor to a discrete object, receive a graphical representation of at least a reference feature on the precursor to the discrete object, and generate a computer model of the body of material, wherein the computer model of the body of material includes the graphical representation of the precursor to the discrete object and the graphical representation of the at least a reference feature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for filtering components, such as hardware components, compatible with computer-modeled structures are presented. A compatible components system provides selection methods that present components compatible with computer-aided design (CAD) models designed in computer modeling software. The system executes methods designed to filter components made available to designers using attribute information of the features and attribute information of the components. Designers may interact with the compatibility methods numerous times, narrowing components through a series or number of filtering steps until a desired compatible component is easily selected. The computer modeling software may include graphical user interfaces for selecting component source locations, filtering types of components presented by the system, and adding components to CAD models.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a discrete object from an additively manufactured body of material including a precursor to a discrete object and at least a reference feature is disclosed. The system includes an automated manufacturing device, the automated manufacturing device including at least a controller configured to receive a graphical representation of precursor to a discrete object, receive a graphical representation of at least a reference feature on the precursor to the discrete object, and generate a computer model of the body of material, wherein the computer model of the body of material includes the graphical representation of the precursor to the discrete object and the graphical representation of the at least a reference feature.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for secret sharing for secure collaborative graphical design. Graphical secret shares are generated from a three-dimensional graphical design and distributed to one or more contributor devices. Contributor graphical designs modifying graphical secret shares may be received from contributor devices. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize custom pricing in the context of an electronic marketplace. Such custom pricing can be implemented by transmitting specifications of custom pricing engines and/or custom design document interrogator engines to the marketplace along with or independently from one or more design documents containing structures to be priced. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

Abstract: A system for secure, oblivious-client optimization of manufacturing processes includes manufacturer exchange module executing on a secure server, which receives from a plurality of manufacturer clients at least an identification of a manufacturing device operated by the at least a manufacturer and at least a manufacturing constraint, an avatar generator e configured to generate at least a manufacturing avatar, and a simulator executing on the secure server, the simulator designed and configured to receive a design of a part to be manufactured using an automated manufacturing device and at least an optimization criterion, and simulate at least a first manufacturing process using a first avatar manufacturer avatar of the plurality of manufacturer avatars.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for secret sharing for secure collaborative graphical design. Graphical secret shares are generated from a three-dimensional graphical design and distributed to one or more contributor devices. Contributor graphical designs modifying graphical secret shares may be received from contributor devices. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: Methods involving adding a removable fixating material to a partially manufactured workpiece to stabilize a plurality of partially formed objects therein for subsequent manufacturing. In one example, valleys are formed in a workpiece between adjacent partially formed objects so that interconnecting portions remain to interconnect the partially formed objects. Then, the removable fixating material is installed in the valleys, and once the removable fixating material has hardened, the workpiece is further processed to at least remove the interconnecting portions. In some embodiments, a mold is used to install the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a prefabricated temporary frame is used for installing the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a temporary frame is formed from the workpiece along with the plurality of objects during manufacturing.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize custom pricing in the context of an electronic marketplace. Such custom pricing can be implemented by transmitting specifications of custom pricing engines and/or custom design document interrogator engines to the marketplace along with or independently from one or more design documents containing structures to be priced. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize targeted-advertising functionality in the context of a product program. For example, such logistical functionality may enable users to benefit from the use of one or more functionalities enabled by targeted advertising, such as fully or partially ad-sponsored software, relevant training or assistance recommendations, and user-customized advertising, among others. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

Abstract: Methods and software for generating machine-control instructions for controlling subtractive manufacturing equipment to form a plurality of objects from a single workpiece. In some embodiments, the machine-control instructions are for milling equipment that mills the objects from a single body of material by milling material from obverse and reverse sides of the body of material. Milling from the obverse side forms valleys in the obverse side and leaves interconnecting portions that connect together the plurality of objects. A removable fixating material is added to the valleys for holding the objects firmly in place relative to one another for milling from the reverse side. After the removable fixating material has hardened, milling from the reverse side removes the interconnecting portions. Milling operations from the obverse and reverse sides can include operations in addition to the forming of the valleys and removing of the interconnecting portions.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize targeted-advertising functionality in the context of a product program. For example, such logistical functionality may enable users to benefit from the use of one or more functionalities enabled by targeted advertising, such as fully or partially ad-sponsored software, relevant training or assistance recommendations, and user-customized advertising, among others. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for secret sharing for secure collaborative graphical design. Graphical secret shares are generated from a three-dimensional graphical design and distributed to one or more contributor devices. Contributor graphical designs modifying graphical secret shares may be received from contributor devices. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for secret sharing for secure collaborative graphical design. Graphical secret shares are generated from a three-dimensional graphical design and distributed to one or more contributor devices. Contributor graphical designs modifying graphical secret shares may be received from contributor devices. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: A system for secure, oblivious-client optimization of manufacturing processes includes manufacturer exchange module executing on a secure server, which receives from a plurality of manufacturer clients at least an identification of a manufacturing device operated by the at least a manufacturer and at least a manufacturing constraint, an avatar generator e configured to generate at least a manufacturing avatar, and a simulator executing on the secure server, the simulator designed and configured to receive a design of a part to be manufactured using an automated manufacturing device and at least an optimization criterion, and simulate at least a first manufacturing process using a first avatar manufacturer avatar of the plurality of manufacturer avatars.

Abstract: Methods for providing a workpiece computer model including a plurality of objects defined in a body of material. A temporary support frame is provided as part of a two-sided machining process in which the workpiece is partially milled from an obverse side. The machine-control instructions are also based on one or more occupying structures added to the workpiece to fill in one or more excess unoccupied regions of the workpiece that would otherwise be machined away during machining of the objects. Providing such occupying structure(s) reduces the amount of machining that needs to be performed.

Abstract: A system that provides automatic/semi-automatic price quotations for joining one or more instantiations of a structure that is modeled in a computer model. The system automatically extracts joining price-influencing data from the computer model. The system uses the joining price-influencing data and joining pricing parameters to automatically determine a joining price quotation which can be provided as a standalone or be utilized to calculate firm fabrication-price quote(s) for the structure. In some embodiments, the system further includes fabrication ordering functionality that allows a user place a fabrication order with a fabricator based on the price quotation. Such systems can be implemented in any of a wide variety of manners, such as within a single computing device or across a communications network, among others. In some embodiments, functionalities of the system are integrated into computer-modeling software directly of via add-on software.

Abstract: A method carried out on a computer system for ordering and executing expedited production options. A user may submit a request for manufacturing a product defined by a 3D computer model. Systems described herein may then verify that the request is subject to an expedited production option and parse the 3D computer model to identify the processes required to manufacture the product. The product may then be manufactured with an expedited lead time that may vary as a function of the processes in question and the nature of the applicable expedited production option.