Method and system of making digital image transfer thermoformed objects
View Patent ↗A method and system is provided for forming a three-dimensional image and, more particularly, for making three-dimensional digital image transfer thermoformed objects on, e.g., generic molds. The system comprises a computer infrastructure operable to receive images of a subject, display the images, stitch together the images to form a single image, adjust portions of the images or single image to compensate for deformation during thermoforming of the single image, register the single image with points on a mold, and print the single image.
1. A system for thermoforming an image, comprising:
a computer infrastructure comprising hardware components being operable to:
receive images of a subject;
display the images;
stitch together the images to form a single image;
adjust portions of the single image or the images to compensate for deformation during thermoforming of the single image;
register features of the single image or the images with points on a mold;
print the single image via a printer; and
store in a storage device of the computer infrastructure a matrix of a generic mold for thermoforming the images.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer infrastructure is configurable to compress portions of the single image or the images.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the computer infrastructure is configurable to compress side portions of the single image to about 50% to 60%.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer infrastructure is operable to print the single image using dye sublimation printing.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the generic mold includes customized features.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the matrix includes registration marks for aligning features of the single image.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the images include a frontal view and two side views, taken at about a 30 degree angle from the frontal view.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the stitching together comprises stitching together the frontal view and the two side views.