Parts and outer layers having differing physical properties

Abstract

Some examples include a computer-readable medium storing executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, are to cause the processor to receive electronic data describing a part to be manufactured in a three-dimensional additive manufacturing process; develop instructions using the electronic data for creating an outer layer on a surface of the part in the additive manufacturing process, where the outer layer having a physical property that differs from that of the surface of the part; and manufacture the part using the instructions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-readable medium storing executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, are to cause the processor to:
 receive electronic data describing a part to be manufactured in a three-dimensional additive manufacturing process;   develop instructions using the electronic data for creating an outer layer on a surface of the part in the additive manufacturing process, the outer layer having a physical property that differs from that of the surface of the part; and   manufacture the part using the instructions.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the physical property is magnetism, an ultraviolet color, or an infrared color. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the physical property is a fluorescent color that contrasts with the surface of the part under ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has varying thicknesses. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4 , wherein the varying thickness is determined based on the electronic data such that the thickness is greater in positions on the surface of the part where artifacts or imperfections are likely to occur. 
     
     
         6 . A computer-readable medium storing executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, are to cause the processor to:
 generate a model of a three-dimensional part, the model including an outer layer abutting a surface of the three-dimensional part, the outer layer and the surface sharing a common visually perceptible color and not sharing a physical property; and   manufacture the three-dimensional part in accordance with the model and using additive manufacturing.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 6 , wherein the physical property is magnetism, a fluorescent color that contrasts with the surface of the three-dimensional part under ultraviolet light, or an ultraviolet or infrared color. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 6 , wherein the outer layer of the model has a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 receiving electronic data that describes a three-dimensional part to be manufactured in an additive manufacturing process;   processing the electronic data to develop instructions for creating a three-dimensional outer layer on an exterior surface of the three-dimensional part, the outer layer having a physical property that is not shared by a portion of the part underlying the outer layer; and   manufacturing the three-dimensional part by additive manufacturing, including using the instructions to manufacture the outer layer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the physical property is a fluorescent color which contrasts with the underlying portion of the part under ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the physical property is an ultraviolet or infrared color. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the physical property is magnetism. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the processing includes developing the instructions based on an expected need for post-processing selected portions of the exterior surface of the part to remove surface imperfections. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the outer layer has a physical property that is not present on a portion of the part underlying the outer layer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the developed instructions specify manufacturing the outer layer on selected portions of the exterior surface of the part, and the manufacturing the part includes using the instructions to manufacture the outer layer on the selected portions of the exterior surface of the part.