1. A system (100) for producing a paint stencil (514) for painting a design on a target surface, comprising:

a processor (210) configured to generate a geometry file (214) of a paint template design, the processor comprising:

a design module (302) configured to parse the design into a set of paint sub-designs, and

a template design module (304) configured to generate a geometry file for the paint template design based on the set of paint sub-designs, the generated geometry file for the paint template design comprising a paint template design corresponding to a paint sub-design; and

a plotter (104) coupled to the processor (210) and configured to produce a set of paint templates based on the geometric files of the paint template design, wherein:

each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the paint design on the target surface, an

Each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes corresponding to the set of alignment marks for each respective paint stencil design.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the stencil design module (304) is configured to generate, for each paint stencil design, a geometric file of the paint stencil design in a predetermined order relative to other paint stencil designs; and

the stencil design module (304) includes an alignment module (404), the alignment module (404) configured to orient the set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plotter (104) includes a cutting component (510), the cutting component (510) configured to form the set of alignment holes from each respective paint stencil based on a respective set of alignment marks.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the alignment module (404) includes a part geometry module (406) for a set of parts associated with the target surface; and

the alignment module (404) is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a first paint stencil design based on a first geometry of one or more of the set of parts associated with the target surface.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the alignment module (404) further comprises a template geometry module (408) comprising geometry data for each paint template design; and

the alignment module (404) is further configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a second paint stencil design based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the alignment module (404) further comprises a template geometry module (408) comprising geometry data for each paint template design; and

the alignment module (404) is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a current paint stencil design based on a geometry of the set of alignment marks on a previous paint stencil design.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on the previous paint stencil design.

8. The system of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

a communication module (306) coupleable to the plotter (104) and configured to transmit the generated geometry file of the paint template design to the plotter.

9. A method (800) of producing a paint stencil (514) for painting a design (602) on a target surface (604), comprising:

(802) generating, by a processor (210), a geometry file (214) of a paint template design based on a set of paint sub-designs (212), the generated geometry file (214) of the paint template design comprising a paint template design corresponding to a paint sub-design for the design (602) on the target surface (604); and

(804) producing, by a plotter (104), a set of paint templates (514) based on the geometry files (214) of the paint template design, wherein:

each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the design on the target surface, an

Each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes (702) corresponding to the set of alignment marks for each respective paint stencil design.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of generating a geometry file (214) of the paint template design comprises:

(902) parsing, by the processor (210), the design into the set of paint sub-designs;

(904) orienting the set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design; and

(906) combining a plurality of paint stencil designs in a predetermined order relative to one another to generate a geometric file of the paint stencil designs.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of orienting the set of alignment marks on a first paint stencil design is based on a first geometry of one or more of a set of parts associated with the target surface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of orienting the set of alignment marks on a second paint stencil design is based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of orienting the set of alignment marks on a current paint stencil design is based on a geometry of the set of alignment marks on a previous paint stencil design.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design comprises a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on the previous paint stencil design.

15. The method of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the step of producing the set of paint stencils comprises (1004) forming the set of alignment holes from each respective paint stencil based on the respective set of alignment marks.

Technical Field

Designs and/or logos are painted on the target surface of many parts or structures. For example, aircraft often include designs or logos that are painted on the target surface of the fuselage. Some paint designs include multiple layers of paint that mix multiple colors and/or transition from one color to another.

Multiple paint templates are utilized to apply multiple layers of paint on a target surface. Typically, an ordered set of paint templates is designed and utilized to facilitate painting the paint design (paint design) on a target surface. To begin the painting process, an initial paint stencil is utilized to facilitate application of a first paint layer on a target surface. A subsequent paint layer is then applied over and/or adjacent to one or more previous paint layers using a subsequent paint template. This process continues until the paint design is complete.

Conventional systems and methods for generating paint stencil designs and/or producing paint stencils are performed manually. Manually generating a paint stencil design and/or paint stencil production is a relatively slow and/or expensive process. In addition, inconsistencies may arise between two different paint stencil designs and/or paint stencils due to human error and/or differences between individuals who manually generate the paint stencil designs and/or paint stencils.

Disclosure of Invention

The subject matter of the present disclosure provides examples of paint design template production and corresponding systems and methods that overcome the above-described shortcomings of the prior art. It is desirable to reduce the amount of time it takes to create a design of a paint stencil and/or to produce a paint stencil. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop improved systems and methods for generating designs for paint templates and/or producing paint templates that reduce the amount of time and cost involved in aircraft manufacturing. The subject matter of the present application has therefore been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the shortcomings of conventional paint stencil designs and paint stencils, as well as conventional methods and systems for producing paint stencils for facilitating the painting of designs on target surfaces of components.

A system for producing a paint stencil for use in painting a design on a target surface is disclosed. The system includes a processor configured to generate a geometry file (geo-file) of a paint template design. The processor includes a design module configured to parse the design into a set of paint sub-designs and a template design module configured to generate a geometry file for a paint template design based on the set of paint sub-designs. The generated geometric file of the paint template design includes a paint template design corresponding to the paint sub-design. The system further includes a plotter (plotter) coupled to the processor and configured to produce a set of paint templates based on the geometric files of the paint template design. Each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the paint design on a target surface, and each paint stencil produces a set of alignment holes corresponding to the set of alignment marks for each respective paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.

The template design module is configured to generate, for each paint template design, a geometric file of the paint template design relative to other paint template designs in a predetermined order. The template design module includes an alignment module configured to orient the set of alignment marks on each respective paint template design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, where example 2 further includes the subject matter according to example 1 above.

The plotter includes a cutting component configured to form a set of alignment holes from each respective paint stencil based on a corresponding set of alignment marks. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, where example 3 further includes the subject matter according to example 2 above.

The alignment module includes a part geometry module for a set of parts associated with the target surface, and the alignment module is configured to orient a set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design based on a first geometry of one or more parts in the set of parts associated with the target surface. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, where example 4 further includes the subject matter according to any of examples 2 or 3 above.

The alignment module further comprises a template geometry module. The template geometry module includes geometry data for each paint stencil design, and the alignment module is further configured to orient a set of alignment marks on the second paint stencil design based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 further includes the subject matter according to example 4 above.

The alignment module further comprises a template geometry module. The template geometry module includes geometric data for each paint template design, and the alignment module is configured to orient a set of alignment marks on a current paint template design based on the geometry of the set of alignment marks on a previous paint template design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, where example 6 further includes subject matter according to any of examples 2-5 above.

The set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on the previous paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, where example 7 further includes the subject matter according to example 6 above.

Further disclosed herein is an apparatus for generating a geometric file of a paint template design for use in generating a paint template that facilitates painting the design on a target surface. The device includes: a design module configured to parse a paint design into a set of paint sub-designs and a stencil design module configured to generate a geometric file of the paint stencil design based on the set of paint sub-designs. The generated geometric file of the paint template design includes a paint template design corresponding to the paint sub-design. Each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the paint design on a target surface. The apparatus further includes a communication module coupleable to the plotter and configured to transmit the generated geometric file of the paint template design to the plotter. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure.

The stencil design module is configured to generate, for each paint stencil design, a geometric file of the paint stencil design in a predetermined order relative to the other paint stencil designs, and the stencil design module includes an alignment module configured to orient the set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, where example 9 further includes the subject matter according to example 8 above.

The alignment module includes a part geometry module for a set of parts associated with the target surface, and the alignment module is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design based on a first geometry of one or more parts of the set of parts associated with the target surface. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, where example 10 further includes subject matter according to example 9 above.

The alignment module further includes a template geometry module including geometric data for each paint template design, and the alignment module is further configured to orient a set of alignment marks on the second paint template design based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint template design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, where example 11 further includes subject matter according to example 10 above.

The alignment module further comprises a template geometry module. The template geometry module includes geometric data for each paint template design, and the alignment module is configured to orient a set of alignment marks on a current paint template design based on the geometry of the set of alignment marks on a previous paint template design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 that is the present disclosure, where example 12 further includes subject matter according to any one of examples 9-11 above.

The set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on a previous paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, where example 13 also includes the subject matter of example 12 above.

Additionally disclosed herein is a method of producing a paint stencil for painting a design on a target surface. The method includes generating, by a processor, a geometry file of a paint template design based on a set of paint sub-designs. The generated geometric file of the paint template design includes the paint template design corresponding to the paint sub-design of the design. The method also includes generating, by the plotter, a set of paint templates based on the geometry file of the paint template design. Each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating the painting of the design on the target surface, and each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes corresponding to the set of alignment marks of each respective paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure.

The step of generating a geometric file of the paint stencil design includes: parsing, by a processor, a design into the set of paint sub-designs, orienting the set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design, and combining a plurality of paint stencil designs in a predetermined order with respect to one another to generate a geometric file of the paint stencil designs. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure, where example 15 further includes subject matter according to example 14 above.

The step of orienting the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design is based on a first geometry of one or more of a set of parts associated with the target surface. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, where example 16 further includes subject matter according to example 15 above.

The step of orienting the set of alignment marks on the second paint stencil design is based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure, where example 17 further includes subject matter according to example 16 above.

The step of orienting the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design is based on the geometry of the set of alignment marks on the previous paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, where example 18 further includes subject matter according to any one of examples 15-17 above.

The set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on a previous paint stencil design. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, where example 19 further includes the subject matter according to example 18 above.

The step of producing the set of paint stencils includes forming a set of alignment holes from each respective paint stencil based on the corresponding set of alignment marks. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, where example 20 further includes subject matter according to any one of examples 14-19 above.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples including implementations and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular example, embodiment, or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain instances, embodiments, and/or implementations that may not be present in all instances, embodiments, or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

Drawings

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical examples of the subject matter and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a paint template production system according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computing device included in the paint template production system of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a processor included in the computing system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

fig. 3B is a block diagram of another processor included in the computing device of fig. 2, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a stencil design module included in each of the processors of FIGS. 3A and 3B in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a plotter included in the paint stencil production system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of another plotter included in the paint stencil production system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an aircraft including a target surface for painting a design thereon, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a top view of a first set of paint templates, each paint template including a set of alignment holes, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a top view of a second set of paint templates, each paint template including a set of alignment holes, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7C is a top view of a third set of paint templates, each paint template including a set of alignment holes, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method for producing and/or facilitating production of a set of paint templates in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow diagram of sub-steps of the method of FIG. 8, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; and

fig. 10 is a schematic flow diagram of sub-steps of the method of fig. 8, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference throughout this specification to "one example," "an example," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. The appearances of the phrases "in one example," "in an example," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, use of the term "implementation" refers to an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the disclosure, but which may be associated with one or more examples if there is no explicit correlation to indicate otherwise.

Systems and methods for generating a paint stencil to facilitate painting a design on a target surface of a component are disclosed herein. The system includes a processor configured to generate a geometry file of a paint template design. The processor includes: the system includes a design module configured to parse a design into a set of paint sub-designs and a template design module configured to generate geometric files of a paint template design based on the set of paint sub-designs, wherein the generated geometric files of the paint template design include paint template designs corresponding to the paint sub-designs. The system further includes a plotter configured to produce a set of paint templates based on the geometric files of the paint template design. In some examples, each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks, and each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes corresponding to the set of alignment marks.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system 100 for producing a paint stencil for facilitating the painting of paint designs and/or logos (also referred to herein individually or collectively as paint designs, or simply designs) on a target surface of a component. In at least the illustrated embodiment, system 100 includes components such as a computing device 102 coupled to plotter 104 and/or in communication with plotter 104.

Computing device 102 may include any suitable computing system and/or device that may design and/or facilitate the design of a paint template. Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of one embodiment of a computing device 102 is shown. In at least the illustrated embodiment, the computing device 102 includes components such as a User Interface (UI)202, an input device 204, an output device 206, a storage device 208, and a processor 210 that are coupled to and/or in communication with each other.

In some instances, UI 202 includes any suitable technology, system, and/or device known or developed in the future that enables a user to interact with computing device 102. According to one example, the UI 202 includes, but is not limited to, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and other types of UIs as may be and contemplated herein.

In some instances, the input device 204 includes any suitable system and/or device known or developed in the future that enables a user to interact with the UI 202. Examples of input devices 204 include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, trackball, pointing stick, joystick, jog disk (or knob), touch screen, and/or microphone, as well as other types of input devices as may be and contemplated herein.

In some instances, output device 206 includes any suitable system and/or device known or developed in the future that can provide data to a user. Example output devices 206 include, but are not limited to, displays or monitors, as well as other types of output devices as may be and contemplated herein.

According to some examples, storage device 208 includes any suitable type of device and/or system now known or later developed that can store computer-usable data. In various embodiments, the storage device 208 comprises one or more non-transitory computer-usable media (e.g., readable, writable, readable-writable, etc.) that may include any non-transitory and/or persistent apparatus or device that may contain, store, communicate, propagate, and/or transport instructions, data, computer programs, software, code, routines, etc. for processing by or in connection with a computer processing device (e.g., the processor 210).

In some implementations, the storage device 208 stores and/or is configured to store a set of paint sub-designs 212 for the paint design generated by the processor 210, as described elsewhere herein. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the storage device 208 stores and/or is configured to store a geometry file 214 of the paint template design generated by the processor 210, as described elsewhere herein.

In some examples, processor 210 includes any suitable non-volatile/persistent hardware and/or software that can design and/or facilitate the design of a paint stencil. In some implementations, the processor 210 includes hardware and/or software configured to execute instructions and/or rules in one or more modules and/or applications that may design and/or facilitate designing a paint template for paint design and/or logo.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a block diagram of one embodiment of a processor 210A that may design and/or facilitate designing paint templates is shown. Processor 210A is one example of processor 210 of FIG. 2 of computing device 102. At least in the illustrated embodiment, the processor 210A includes components such as a design module 302 coupled to or in communication with a stencil design module 304.

In some examples, the design module 302 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that can facilitate and/or facilitate generating a plurality of paint templates for paint design. In some implementations, the design module 302 is configured to receive (e.g., from a user and/or other computing device (not shown)) a paint design.

Further, the design module 302 analyzes the paint design and parses the paint design into a plurality of different paint layers. For example, the design module 302 is configured to determine that a particular color and/or a transition between two or more colors is a combination of two or more different paint layers and resolve the particular color and/or the transition between colors to different paint layers to form the paint sub-design set 212 for a paint design. The design module 302 is further configured to arrange the different paint layers in the paint sub-design collection 212 such that the paint layers are painted in the correct order on the target surface (e.g., the fuselage of an aircraft, etc.).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the set of paint sub-designs 212 may include any suitable number of paint sub-designs that allow and/or cause the paint design to be parsed into a controllable paint layer such that the design may be painted on a target surface. In various embodiments, the number of paint sub-designs in paint sub-design set 212 may vary based on the type and/or size of a particular paint design. Thus, various embodiments of the paint sub-design collection 212 will typically include two or more paint sub-designs.

In various embodiments, the design module 302 transmits the set of paint sub-designs 212 (including the correct order) to the storage device 208 for storage therein. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the design module 302 transfers the paint sub-design set 212 (including the correct order) to the stencil design module 304 for processing therein.

In some examples, the template design module 304 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that can generate a plurality of paint templates for a paint design. In some implementations, the stencil design module 304 is configured to receive the set of paint sub-designs 212 from the design module 302. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the template design module 304 is configured to retrieve the set of paint sub-designs 212 from the storage device 208 that stores the set of paint sub-designs.

According to one example, the paint sub-design sets 212 are arranged in the correct order to paint the design on the target surface. In some implementations, the stencil design module 304 is configured to arrange the set of paint sub-designs 212 in the correct order to paint the design on the target surface in response to determining that the set of paint sub-designs 212 is not arranged in the correct order.

In various embodiments, the template design module 304 is configured to generate a plurality of paint template designs based on the set of paint sub-designs 212 generated by the design module 302. As such, the number of paint stencil designs may correspond to the number of paint sub-designs in the set of paint sub-designs 212.

Multiple paint template designs may be combined to generate a geometry file 214 of the paint template design. In various embodiments, each paint template design in the generated geometry file 214 of paint template designs corresponds to a paint sub-design in the set of paint sub-designs 212. At this point, the paint stencil designs in the geometry file 214 of paint stencil designs may include the same number of paint stencil designs as the number of paint sub-designs in the set of paint sub-designs 212. Further, the paint stencil designs in the geometry file 214 of paint stencil designs may be arranged in the same order as their corresponding paint sub-designs in the set of paint sub-designs 212 so that the paint layers of the paint designs may be formed on the target surface in the proper/correct order of painting.

The paint stencil design (and corresponding paint stencil based thereon) may include any suitable shape that allows and/or enables the target surface to be painted. Example shapes may include, but are not limited to, circles, ovals, triangles, quadrilaterals, shapes having five or more sides, and the like, as well as other regular or irregular geometric shapes that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the paint stencil design (and its corresponding paint stencil) may include rectangles, as well as other shapes that are possible and contemplated herein.

The paint stencil design (and corresponding paint stencil based thereon) may include any suitable dimensions that allow and/or enable the target surface to be painted. In various embodiments, the dimensions correspond to the entire target surface and/or the entire design to be painted on the target surface. In other embodiments, the one or more dimensions correspond to one or more portions of the target surface and/or one or more portions of the design to be painted on the target surface. In some embodiments, wherein the paint stencil design (and its corresponding paint stencil) comprises a rectangular shape, two sides of the rectangle comprise a length of about one meter (1m) or about three feet (3ft.) and other lengths as may be and contemplated herein, and the remaining two sides comprise a length corresponding to the size of the design to be painted on the target surface. For example, for large designs (e.g., designs that include heights and lengths greater than about two meters (2m) or six feet (6ft.) to be painted on a particular target surface (e.g., the fuselage of an aircraft), a rectangular paint stencil design may include a height of about one meter (1m) or three feet (3ft.) and a length that matches and/or corresponds to the entire length of the design. At this point, it is apparent that painting a design (and/or logo) on the fuselage of an aircraft will require (entail) a geometric file 214 of the paint stencil design to include multiple paint stencil designs.

In some embodiments, the paint template design (and corresponding paint templates based thereon) includes a set of alignment marks (e.g., one or more alignment marks schematically similar to actual alignment marks or alignment holes 702A and 702B (e.g., fig. 7)) to facilitate alignment of a paint template corresponding to the paint template design on a target surface (see, e.g., aircraft fuselage 604 (fig. 6)) and/or on one or more previous layers of paint. That is, the paint stencil is properly and/or correctly oriented on the target surface and/or the previous paint layer or layers using the set of alignment marks.

Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of one embodiment of a template design module 304 is shown. At least in the illustrated embodiment, the stencil design module 304 includes components such as an alignment mark module 402 coupled to and/or in communication with the alignment module 404.

In some examples, the alignment mark module 402 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that may include and/or facilitate the set of alignment marks included on the paint stencil design. According to some examples, the alignment indicia includes any suitable indicia, indications, and/or identifiers known or developed in the future that may be used to align and/or orient the paint stencil on the target surface to be painted and/or on one or more previous paint layers. In some embodiments, the alignment marks represent holes (e.g., alignment holes). In additional or alternative embodiments, the alignment mark comprises a transparent and/or translucent region that may be in a particular material that comprises and/or forms at least a portion of the paint stencil.

In some implementations, all of the alignment marks in the paint stencil design 214 (and its corresponding paint stencil 514 (see, e.g., fig. 5A)) are alignment holes. In other embodiments, at least two alignment marks in the paint stencil design 214 (and its corresponding paint stencil 514) are different alignment marks. For example, at least one alignment mark includes an alignment hole and at least one other alignment mark includes transparent and/or translucent regions, as well as other combinations that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some examples, the alignment marks comprise any suitable shape known or developed in the future. Example shapes include, but are not limited to, regular or irregular geometric shapes (e.g., circles, ovals, triangles, quadrilaterals, shapes having five or more sides, etc.), biometric shapes (e.g., eyes, tear drops, eyebrows, hands, fingers, feet, toes, ears, nose, mouth, head, torso, arms, legs, tails, fingernails, toenails, etc.), and/or natural shapes (e.g., trees, leaves, fruits, plants, rocks, mountains, hills, tips (points), peninsulas, diamonds, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, stars, waterfalls, snowflakes, raindrops, bodies of water (e.g., rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, oceans, seas, bays, etc.), and the like, as well as other regular and/or irregular shapes that may be and are contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, all of the alignment marks in the paint stencil design (and its corresponding paint stencil) comprise the same shape. In other embodiments, at least two alignment marks in the paint stencil design 214 (and its corresponding paint stencil 514) comprise different shapes. Referring to fig. 7, for example, alignment mark 702A includes a different shape than alignment mark 702B. As described elsewhere herein, different shapes may have different meanings, instructions, and/or symbols.

Further, the alignment marks include any suitable size and/or area that may include and/or form the alignment marks. In various examples, the alignment marks are alignment holes.

In some embodiments, all of the alignment marks in the paint stencil design (and its corresponding paint stencil) are the same size. In other embodiments, at least two alignment marks in the paint stencil design (and its corresponding paint stencil) comprise different sizes.

In further examples, the paint stencil design (and paint stencils based thereon) include any suitable number of alignment marks that allow and/or enable proper alignment of the paint stencil with the target surface and/or one or more previous paint layers.

In some examples, the paint stencil design (and paint stencils based thereon) include any suitable number of alignment marks per unit length that allow and/or enable proper alignment of the paint stencil with the target surface and/or one or more previous paint layers. In various embodiments, the paint stencil design (and paint stencil) includes a number of alignment marks per unit length ranging from about one (1) alignment mark per centimeter (1cm) to about one (1) alignment mark per ten centimeters (10cm), as well as other numbers per unit length and/or number ranges per unit length that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the paint stencil design (and paint stencil) includes a number of alignment marks per unit length in the range of about one (1) alignment mark per five centimeters (5cm) or one alignment mark per two (2) inches, as well as other numbers per unit length that are possible and contemplated herein.

In some embodiments, different portions of the paint stencil design (and paint stencils based thereon) include two or more portions containing different alignment marks and/or different alignment marks per unit length. That is, in some instances, different instructions and/or orientations of the paint design on the surface are represented with different alignment marks. For example, a first alignment mark may represent a continuity of a color or feature of a paint design, while a second alignment mark may represent a color transition, an intersection of colors, a transition of a design feature, and/or an intersection of design features, among other purposes that may be and are contemplated herein. In another non-limiting example, a portion of the paint stencil design (and paint stencil) may contain a plurality of alignment marks per unit length at locations, wherein the design intersects colors, transitions from one color to another, intersects colors and locations (or parts) on the paint target surface, intersects parts and colors, intersects locations (or parts) and colors, intersects parts and colors, and/or wherein the design is such that one shape/feature crosses/transitions with another shape/feature, the other shape/feature is not one that does not include a color, location, part, shape and/or feature, as well as part of the paint stencil design (and paint stencil) that is interleaved/transitioned for other purposes as may be and contemplated herein.

In additional or alternative embodiments, the paint template design includes a set of symbols (e.g., one or more of symbols 704A and 704B) included thereon. Symbols include any suitable symbols known or developed in the future that can be understood and/or interpreted by a human and/or computing device. Example symbols include, but are not limited to, alphanumeric symbols, words, shapes, lines and/or icons, and the like, as well as other symbols possible and contemplated herein. In some implementations, one or more symbols may include/form a description or annotation, and/or may represent a description or annotation for using and/or aligning a paint template generated by a paint template design.

In some implementations, all symbols in the paint template design set 214 (and its corresponding paint template(s) 514) contain the same symbol 704. In other embodiments, at least two different paint stencil designs 214 (and their corresponding paint stencils 514) include different symbols 704.

As discussed elsewhere herein, the geometry file 214 of the paint template design includes a plurality of paint template designs. In various embodiments, at least two of the paint stencil designs in the geometric file 214 of paint stencil designs include different numbers of alignment marks (e.g., alignment holes, etc.). In additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the paint stencil designs in the geometric file 214 of paint stencil designs include one or more different alignment marks (e.g., alignment holes and transparent and/or translucent areas, etc.) respectively included thereon. In a further additional or alternative embodiment, at least two of the geometric files 214 of paint stencil designs include one or more differently shaped alignment marks respectively included thereon. In still further additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the geometric files 214 of paint stencil designs include one or more different sizes and/or dimensions of alignment marks respectively included thereon. In still further additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the geometric files 214 of paint stencil designs include one or more portions respectively including thereon different alignment marks per unit length. In other additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the geometric files 214 of paint stencil designs include one or more different symbols respectively included thereon.

In some examples, the alignment module 404 of the stencil design module 304 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that may include and/or facilitate the inclusion of a set of alignment marks on the paint stencil design. At least in the illustrated embodiment, the alignment module 404 includes components such as a part geometry module 406 and a template geometry module 408.

In some examples, part geometry module 406 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that may include data regarding a target surface. In certain examples, the target surface is a surface of a component (e.g., an aircraft (see fig. 6), a spacecraft, an automobile, a truck, a train, a billboard, a building, etc.) that includes one or more parts of the component included and/or formed thereon. At this point, part geometry module 406 includes data (e.g., a schematic, etc.) regarding one or more parts and/or portions of the component. That is, the data may include a list of parts of the component, characteristics of one or more portions of the target surface (e.g., size, one or more planes, curvature, taper, one or more intersections of parts of the component, one or more intersections of one or more parts of the component located adjacent to the target surface, etc.), and a list of parts of the component adjacent to the target surface, as well as their orientation and/or position relative to each other. Further, the part geometry module 406 is configured to determine the relative position and/or orientation of the parts of the component, the characteristics of one or more portions of the target surface, and the location of the component parts positioned adjacent to the target surface onto the target surface on which the paint design is to be painted.

In a non-limiting example where the surface of the component is an aircraft fuselage 604 (see, e.g., fig. 6), the part geometry module 406 may include a listing and schematic of parts of the fuselage 604 (e.g., nose, tail, landing gear, lights, one or more windows, one or more doors, one or more hatches, etc.), characteristics of one or more portions of the fuselage (e.g., size, length, curvature, taper, intersection of parts and/or portions of the fuselage, intersection of one or more parts of the aircraft and one or more fuselages located adjacent to the fuselage) and/or parts located adjacent to the fuselage 604 (e.g., wings, horizontal stabilizers, vertical stabilizers, etc.). Further, the part geometry module 406 is configured to determine one or more relative positions and/or orientations of various fuselage parts, one or more partial characteristics of the fuselage 604, and/or parts of the aircraft 600 positioned adjacent to the fuselage 604 to locations where paint designs 602 (e.g., company logos and/or names (see, e.g., fig. 6)) are to be painted on the fuselage 604.

In various embodiments, the template geometry module 408 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that may include data regarding one or more paint templates and/or one or more paint layers that have been applied to a target surface. For example, the target surface may already include one or more design layers painted thereon. At this point, the template geometry module 408 includes data (e.g., schematics, etc.) regarding one or more portions of the design that have been painted on the target surface. That is, the data includes a list of portions of the design, characteristics of one or more portions of the design, and a list of component parts adjacent to the target surface, as well as their orientation and/or position relative to each other. In some examples, the template geometry module 408 is configured to determine the relative position and/or orientation of the completed portion of the design, the characteristics of one or more portions of the design, and the location of component parts positioned adjacent to the one or more completed portions of the design onto a target surface on which one or more subsequent portions of the design are to be painted.

In the above and continuing non-limiting aircraft example according to some examples, the template geometry module 408 includes a list and schematic of one or more completed portions of the design on the fuselage 604, one or more characteristics of one or more completed portions of the design 602, and/or a list and schematic of parts of the aircraft 600 positioned adjacent to the fuselage 604. Further, the template geometry module 408 is configured to determine one or more relative positions and orientations of one or more completed portions, one or more characteristics of one or more completed portions, and/or parts of the aircraft 600 positioned adjacent to one or more completed portions of the paint design 602 to a location where one or more subsequent portions of the paint design 602 and/or paint layers are to be painted on the fuselage 604.

In various implementations, the alignment module 404 is configured to determine the location of each alignment mark of the set of alignment marks on the paint stencil design using the part geometry module 406 and/or the stencil geometry module 408. In a non-limiting example of a first paint layer for design, the alignment module 404 utilizes data in the part geometry module 406 to determine a position to orient one or more alignment marks of the paint template design relative to one or more parts of a component that includes a target surface, one or more portions of the target surface, one or more characteristics of the target surface, and/or one or more parts of the component adjacent to the target surface. In some examples, when one or more alignment marks are included on a paint stencil based on a paint stencil design, the one or more alignment marks may be utilized to properly and/or correctly align the paint stencil on the target surface with respect to one or more features of a component on the target surface, one or more portions of the target surface, one or more characteristics of the target surface, and/or one or more features of the component adjacent to the target surface, such that a first layer of the design may be painted on the target surface in a desired and/or correct position.

In an additional or alternative non-limiting example for a second paint layer of the design and/or a subsequent paint layer of the design, the alignment module 404 utilizes data in the template geometry module 408 to determine the location of one or more alignment marks of the paint template design relative to one or more portions of the design that have been painted on the target surface. At this time, when one or more alignment marks are included on a paint stencil designed based on the paint stencil, the paint stencil on the target surface is properly/correctly aligned with respect to one or more portions of the design (e.g., one or more previous paint layers) that have been painted on the target surface using the one or more alignment marks, so that a second or subsequent layer of the design can be painted on the target surface with respect to the first or previous layer in an intended and/or correct position.

In further additional or alternative non-limiting examples for the second paint layer of the design and/or subsequent paint layers of the design, the alignment module 404 utilizes data in the part geometry module 406 and data in the template geometry module 408 to determine a position to orient one or more alignment marks of the paint template design relative to one or more parts of the component that include the target surface, one or more portions of the target surface, one or more characteristics of the target surface, and/or one or more parts of the component adjacent to the target surface and relative to one or more portions of the design that have been painted on the target surface. At this time, when one or more alignment marks are included on the paint stencil designed based on the paint stencil, the one or more alignment marks are utilized to properly and/or correctly align the paint stencil on the target surface with respect to one or more parts of the components on the target surface, one or more portions of the target surface, one or more characteristics of the target surface and/or one or more parts of the components adjacent to the target surface and with respect to one or more portions of the design that have been painted on the target surface, so that a second or subsequent layer of the design can be painted on the target surface in an intended and/or correct position.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a block diagram of another embodiment of a processor 210B that designs and/or facilitates designing a paint stencil is shown. Processor 210B is one example of processor 210 of FIG. 2 of computing device 102. The processor 210B is similar to the processor 210A described elsewhere herein, including a design module 302 coupled to and/or in communication with a stencil design module 304. In at least the illustrated embodiment, the processor 210B includes, among other components, a communication module 306 and a storage device 208 coupled to and/or in communication with the stencil design module 304.

Communication module 306 includes any suitable communication hardware and/or software that allows and/or enables communication between processor 210B (see, e.g., template design module 304 (fig. 3)) and storage 208 and/or communication between processor 210B (see, e.g., template design module 304 (fig. 3)) and plotter 104.

In various implementations, the communication module 306 transmits and/or facilitates transmission of the geometry files 214 of the paint template design (including the correct order) from the template design module 304 to the storage device 208 for storage therein. In an additional or alternative embodiment, template design module 304 transfers geometry files 214 of the paint template design (including the correct order) from template design module 304 to plotter 104 for processing therein.

Referring again to fig. 1, plotter 104 includes any suitable system and/or apparatus that may produce and/or facilitate production of paint stencil set 514 (see, e.g., fig. 5A and 5B). In various implementations, the set of paint templates 514 is based on the set of paint template designs included in the geometry file 214 of the paint template design generated by the computing device 102.

In various examples, one or more of the set of paint templates 514 are used to paint a design on a target surface. In certain examples, the target surface is any suitable surface and/or component that is known or developed in the future. Example target surfaces may include, but are not limited to, surfaces of spacecraft, automobiles, trucks, trains, billboards or buildings, and the like, as well as other surfaces that may be and are contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the target surface is the fuselage of an aircraft, as discussed elsewhere herein.

The paint stencil may comprise any suitable material and/or may be made ofFormed of a material that may allow and/or enable a design to be painted on a target surface and/or component. In various embodiments, the paint stencil comprises and/or is formed from a polyester film or a plastic film, as well as other similar materials that may be and are contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the polyester film comprises biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) or other stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET), includingAs well as other materials that may be and are contemplated herein.

Referring to fig. 5A, a block diagram of one embodiment of plotter 104A is shown. In at least the illustrated embodiment, plotter 104A includes, among other components, an input/output (I/O) module 502, a storage device 504, a processor 506A including a template module 508A, and a cutting component 510, coupled to and/or in communication with each other.

I/O module 502 includes any suitable hardware and/or software that may communicate and/or facilitate plotter 104 in communication with computing device 102. In various implementations, the I/O module 502 is configured to receive the geometry file 214 of the paint template design from the computing device 102. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the I/O module 502 is configured to retrieve the geometry file 214 of the paint template design from the storage device 208 in the computing device 102.

In some examples, each paint stencil design in the geometry file 214 of paint stencil designs is arranged in the correct order for painting the design on the target surface. In some implementations, plotter 104 is configured to arrange the paint stencil designs in the geometry files 214 of the paint stencil design in a correct order to paint the design on the target surface in response to determining that the paint stencil designs in the geometry files 214 of the paint stencil design are not arranged in the correct order.

In various embodiments, storage 504 comprises any suitable type of device and/or system, known or developed in the future, that may store computer-usable data. In various embodiments, storage 504 includes one or more non-transitory computer-usable media (e.g., readable, writable, readable-writable, etc.) including any non-transitory and/or persistent apparatus or device that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, and/or transport instructions, data, computer programs, software, code, routines, etc. for processing by or in connection with a computer processing device (see, e.g., processors 506A and 506B).

In some implementations, the storage 504 stores and/or is configured to store a set of paint templates 514 for paint design generated by the processors 506A and 506B, as discussed elsewhere herein. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the storage device 504 stores and/or is configured to store the received/retrieved geometry file 214 of the paint template design generated by the processor 210, as discussed elsewhere herein.

In various embodiments, processor 506A includes any suitable non-volatile/persistent hardware and/or software that can produce and/or facilitate the production of one or more paint templates. In various embodiments, processor 506A includes hardware and/or software configured to execute instructions and/or rules in one or more modules and/or applications that may produce and/or facilitate production of paint template set 514 of geometry files 214 for paint design and/or logo-based paint template design.

In various implementations, the processor 506A includes a template module 508A, the template module 508A including any suitable hardware and/or software that can generate a paint template for paint design. In various embodiments, the template module 508A is configured to generate a plurality of paint templates based on the geometry files 214 of the paint template design generated by the template design module 304. In some examples, the number of paint templates corresponds to the number of paint template designs in the geometry file 214 of paint template designs.

In various embodiments, a plurality of paint stencil designs are combined to generate a set of paint stencils 514. In some implementations, each paint stencil in the generated set of paint stencils 514 corresponds to a paint stencil design in the geometry file 214 of paint stencil designs. At this point, the paint templates in the set of paint templates 514 include the same number of paint templates as the number of paint template designs in the geometry file 214 of paint template designs. Further, the paint templates in the set of paint templates 514 may be arranged in the same order as their corresponding paint template designs in the geometric file 214 of paint template designs such that the paint layers of the paint designs on the target surface may be painted in the proper/correct order.

In various examples, the one or more paint stencils include any suitable shape that allows and/or enables the target surface to be painted. Example shapes may include, but are not limited to, circles, ovals, triangles, quadrilaterals, shapes having five or more sides, and the like, as well as other regular or irregular geometric shapes that are possible and contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the paint stencil comprises a rectangular shape, as well as other shapes that are possible and contemplated herein.

In various examples, the paint stencil includes any suitable dimensions that allow and/or enable the target surface to be painted. In various embodiments, the dimensions correspond to the entire target surface and/or the entire design to be painted on the target surface. In other embodiments, the one or more dimensions correspond to one or more portions of the target surface and/or one or more portions of the design to be painted on the target surface. In some examples, wherein the paint stencil comprises a rectangular shape, two sides of the rectangle comprise a length of about one meter (1m) or about three feet (3ft.), as well as other lengths that are possible and contemplated herein, and the remaining two sides comprise a length corresponding to the size of the design to be painted on the target surface. For example, for large designs (e.g., designs that include heights and lengths greater than about two meters (2m) or six feet (6ft.) to be painted on a particular target surface (e.g., the fuselage of an aircraft), a rectangular paint stencil design includes a height of one meter (1m) or three feet (3ft.) and a length that matches and/or corresponds to the entire length of the design. At this point, it is apparent that a painted design (and/or logo) on the fuselage of an aircraft requires a paint stencil set 514 that includes a plurality of paint stencils.

In some implementations, the paint stencil includes a set of alignment marks (e.g., one or more alignment marks) that align the paint stencil on the target surface and/or align the paint stencil with one or more previous layers of paint. That is, the paint stencil is properly and/or correctly oriented on the target surface and/or the previous paint layer or layers using the set of alignment marks.

In various embodiments, the paint stencil includes any of the various embodiments of the alignment marks or sets of alignment marks discussed elsewhere herein. In some examples, the alignment mark and/or set of alignment marks on the paint template includes any one or more alignment mark characteristics discussed elsewhere herein with respect to the alignment mark and/or paint template design (e.g., one or more shapes, one or more sizes, one or more dimensions, one or more regions, number/numbers per unit length, one or more types, etc., as well as other characteristics possible and contemplated herein). In some embodiments, the set of paint stencils includes one or more alignment holes for aligning/orienting one or more paint stencils over a target surface and/or a previous paint layer.

In some examples, the set of paint templates 514 includes a plurality of paint templates. In various embodiments, at least two paint stencils in the set of paint stencils 514 include different numbers of alignment marks (e.g., alignment holes, etc.). In additional or alternative embodiments, the paint stencil includes two or more different alignment marks (e.g., alignment holes having different shapes and/or sizes, etc.) contained thereon. In further additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the paint stencils in the paint stencil set 514 include two or more different alignment marks (e.g., alignment holes having different shapes and/or sizes, etc.) respectively included thereon. In still further additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the paint stencils in the set of paint stencils 514 include two or more different sizes and/or dimensions of alignment marks respectively included thereon. In still further additional or alternative embodiments, at least two of the paint stencils in the set of paint stencils 514 include two or more portions each including thereon a different alignment mark per unit length.

In various embodiments, cutting component 510 comprises any suitable system, apparatus, and/or device that can produce and/or facilitate the production of one or more paint stencils. In some embodiments, the cutting member 510 includes a sharp edge, a blade, and/or is capable of cutting from a material (e.g., BoPET material)) And other cutting devices that remove one or more portions to produce a paint stencil. In some embodiments, the cutting component 510 is configured to remove material from multiple areas/portions of material to form a set of alignment marks on the paint stencil. In some examples, the set of alignment marks formed on one or more paint stencils (e.g., dislodged material) corresponds to one or more alignment marks in the paint stencil design and includes one or more characteristics of the plurality of alignment marks.

Referring to fig. 5B, a block diagram of one embodiment of plotter 104B is shown. At least in the illustrated embodiment, plotter 104B includes I/O module 502, storage 504, and cutting component 510 similar to plotter 104A described above. In various implementations, plotter 104B further includes components, such as a processor 506B including a template module 508B and a scribe-line (script) component 512, coupled to and/or in communication with each other.

In various embodiments, the processor 506B is configured to be similar to and/or include all of the functionality of the processor 506A discussed elsewhere herein. Further, template module 508B is configured to be similar to and/or include all of the functionality of template module 508A discussed elsewhere herein.

In various implementations, the template module 508B (and the processor 506B) is configured to generate a paint template that includes a set of symbols (e.g., any of the one or more symbols described above). In some instances, the symbol comprises any suitable symbol known or developed in the future that can be understood and/or interpreted by a human and/or computing device. Example symbols include, but are not limited to, alphanumeric symbols, words, shapes, lines and/or icons, and the like, as well as other symbols that may be and are contemplated herein. In some embodiments, the one or more symbols include/form a description or annotation and/or represent a description or annotation for using and/or aligning a paint template generated by a paint template design.

In some embodiments, all symbols in the paint stencil contain the same symbol. In other embodiments, the at least two symbols in the paint stencil comprise different symbols. In additional or alternative embodiments, at least two paint stencils in the set of paint stencils 514 include two or more different symbols.

The scoring assembly 512 comprises any suitable system, device, and/or apparatus that can produce one or more symbols on a paint stencil. In various embodiments, the scoring component 512 comprises a pen, pencil, marker, scratch (scratch aw) and/or a conformable material (e.g., BoPET material)) Other marking devices producing one or more symbols. In some examples, the set of symbols formed on the one or more paint templates corresponds to one or more symbols in the paint template design and includes one or more characteristics of the various symbols discussed herein.

As described in the various examples discussed above, in various embodiments, the design module 302 is configured to parse an overall design that includes a number of paint sub-designs 212. Paint sub-design 212 is used by plotters (see, e.g., plotter 104A (fig. 5A) and plotter 104B (fig. 5B)) to make a paint stencil or Mylar part that is placed against a component (e.g., a vehicle (airplane)) for painting a strip, pattern, or logo on a portion of the vehicle. For a long fuselage of an aircraft, as an example, the geometric file 214 of paint stencil designs includes a plurality of paint sub-designs 212 for making a plurality of paint stencils 514 for different portions of the fuselage.

In some examples, the design module 302 is configured to parse the design into a set of paint sub-designs 212, where one of the paint sub-designs corresponds to the selected paint sub-design 212B (for making the paint stencil 514), as shown in FIG. 7B. In some examples, the stencil design module 304 is configured to generate the geometry files 214 of the paint stencil design using the set of paint sub-designs 212, wherein the stencil design module 304 selectively removes geometry and/or artifacts that are not related to the selected paint sub-design 212B (which corresponds to the selected paint stencil or Mylar part) such that the stencil design module 304 only generates the geometry files of the selected paint sub-design 212B.

In various instances, the alignment module 404 is configured to create alignment marks (e.g., to be scribed) and alignment holes 702 (e.g., to be cut), where the alignment holes 702 have a geometry or artifact that is oriented relative to the selected paint sub-design 212B. In some examples, the alignment module 404 is configured to utilize part geometry and/or template geometry information to determine a location at which the alignment hole 702A is oriented, such as along a side of a paint line 706A (where the paint line is used to position the assembled paint stencil 514 or Mylar part relative to the vehicle, where the paint line is aligned with a paint layer on the vehicle). In a further example, alignment module 404 is configured to determine additional locations where alignment holes 702D and 702E are further oriented, such as along paint line 706B, where alignment hole 702D is on an opposite side of paint line 706B. In still further examples, the alignment module 404 is configured to determine locations where alignment holes 702A in the sets of alignment holes 702B, 702C, 702D, and 702E, etc., are to be oriented, where the alignment holes are included in a geometric subset related to a portion of the generated paint template 514-plotter 104A or 104B is to be cut using the cutting component 510 to generate the paint template 514, and where other geometric features (e.g., text, lines, or alignment marks to be scribed/marked only) are included in another separate geometric subset related to a portion of the generated paint template 514-plotter 104B is to be scribed using the scribing component 512.

In some implementations, the stencil design module 304 is configured to generate the geometric file 214 of a design for a paint stencil design that includes alignment holes 702 and only scribed lines and alignment marks, the alignment holes 702 being in a subset associated with the portion of the paint stencil that the plotter 104 will cut, the only scribed lines and alignment marks being in a second subset associated with the portion of the paint stencil that the plotter 104 will scribe. At this point, template design module 304 communicates with communication module 306, which is coupled to plotter 104. Further, the template design module 304 is configured to transmit the generated geometry file 214 of the paint template design to the plotter 104, thereby producing a paint template and/or Mylar part having alignment holes 702, the alignment holes 702 being cut out and scribed with lines, symbols, and/or alignment marks, respectively.

Referring to fig. 8-10, fig. 8-10 are flow diagrams illustrating various embodiments of methods 800, 802, and 804 for producing and/or facilitating production of a paint stencil for painting a design on a target surface of a component. Methods 800 through 1000 allow and/or make more efficient production of a set of paint templates and/or application of a paint design on a target surface because the amount of time utilized to generate alignment marks on one or more paint templates is reduced.

The method 800 (see, e.g., FIG. 8) begins with the processor 210 generating a geometry file 214 of a paint template design based on a set of paint sub-designs 212 (block 802). In various embodiments, the generated geometry file 214 of the paint template design includes a paint template design corresponding to a paint sub-design for the design (see, e.g., design 602 (FIG. 6)).

Plotter 104 produces a set of paint templates 514 for the design (block 804). In various embodiments, each paint template in the set of paint templates is based on a corresponding paint template design in the geometry file 214 of paint template designs as discussed elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for painting the design on a target surface. Further, each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes 702 corresponding to a set of alignment marks on the respective paint stencil design.

In various embodiments, method 802 (see, e.g., fig. 9) begins with processor 210 parsing a design into a set of paint sub-designs 212 (block 902), as discussed elsewhere herein. In some implementations, the processor 210 orients a set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design in the set of paint stencil designs (block 904), as discussed elsewhere herein.

In various embodiments, orienting the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design is based on a first geometry associated with the target surface for one or more parts of the set of parts, as discussed elsewhere herein. In additional or alternative embodiments, orienting the set of alignment marks on the second paint stencil design is based on a second geometry for the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design, as discussed further elsewhere herein.

In other embodiments, orienting the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design is based on the geometry used for the set of alignment marks on the previous paint stencil design. In various embodiments, the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on a previous paint stencil design.

In various embodiments, a method 804 (see, e.g., FIG. 10) begins with processor 506 receiving and/or retrieving geometry files 214 of a paint template design (block 1002). In some implementations, the processor 506 creates a plurality of paint templates 514 based on the geometry files 214 of the paint template design (block 1004). In various embodiments, each paint stencil 514 corresponds to a paint stencil design in a geometric file of paint stencil designs.

In various implementations, the processor 506 forms a plurality of alignment holes on each paint stencil (block 1006). In some embodiments, each alignment hole corresponds to an alignment mark included in the respective paint stencil design.

In certain implementations, the processor 506 combines the paint templates to produce a set of paint templates for painting a design on a target surface (block 1008). In some examples, processor 506 arranges the set of paint stencils in the proper/correct order to ensure that the design is accurately painted on the target surface.

In the description above, certain terms may be used, such as "upper," "lower," "above," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "left," "right," "above," "below," and the like. Where applicable, these terms are used to provide some clear description when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an "upper" target surface may become a "lower" target surface simply by flipping the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms "include," "have," and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an", and "the" also refer to "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term "plurality" may be defined as "at least two".

Additionally, examples in this specification of "coupled" one element to another element may include direct and indirect couplings. Direct coupling may be defined as one element coupled to, and making some contact with, another element. An indirect coupling may be defined as a coupling between two elements that are not in direct contact with each other — but with one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element may include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, "adjacent," as used herein, does not necessarily mean touching. For example, one element may be adjacent to another element without contacting the element.

As used herein, the phrase "at least one of," when used with a list of items, means that a different combination of one or more of the listed items can be used, and that only one of the items in the list may be required. The item may be a specific object, thing or kind. In other words, "at least one" refers to any combination of items or number of items from the list that may be used, but may not require all of the items in the list. For example, "at least one of item a, item B, and item C" may refer to item a; item A and item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, "at least one of item a, item B, and item C" may refer to, for example, but not limited to, two of item a, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.

In addition, as used herein, the term "set" may refer to "one or more" unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term "plurality of collections" may refer to a plurality or pluralities of "one or more", and/or "one or more" consistent with the theory of collections, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which such terms refer. Furthermore, reference to, for example, "a second" item does not require or exclude the presence of, for example, "a first" or a lower numbered item and/or the presence of, for example, "a third" or a higher numbered item.

As used herein, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured to" perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any modification, and is not merely capable of performing the specified function with potential for further modification. In other words, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured to" perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, "configured to" means the existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enables the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform a specified function, without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as "configured to" perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as "adapted to" and/or "operative to" perform that function.

The present technology may be systems, methods, and/or computer program products. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or multiple computer-readable storage media) including computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform aspects of the present technology.

The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic memory device, a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device, an electromagnetic memory device, a semiconductor memory device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer-readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory ("RAM"), a read-only memory ("ROM"), an erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM" or flash memory), a static random access memory ("SRAM"), a portable compact disc read-only memory ("CD-ROM"), a digital versatile disc ("DVD"), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically coded device (e.g., punch cards) or a structure of protrusions in grooves (including instructions recorded thereon), and any suitable combination of the foregoing. As used herein, a computer-readable storage medium should not be construed as a transitory signal per se, such as a radio wave or other freely propagating electromagnetic wave, an electromagnetic wave propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., a light pulse through a fiber optic cable), or an electrical signal transmitted through an electrical wire.

The computer-readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a respective computing/processing device, or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, e.g., the internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and/or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmissions, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. The network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

The computer-readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present technology may be assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, set-state data (state-setting data), or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C + + or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language, or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider). To perform aspects of the present technique, in some embodiments, an electronic circuit comprising, for example, a programmable logic circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a programmable array logic (PLA), may personalize the electronic circuit by executing computer-readable program instructions with state information of the computer-readable program instructions.

Aspects of the technology are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the technology. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium including the instructions stored therein comprise an article of manufacture including instructions which implement various aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented method such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present technology. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. Identified modules of program instructions may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one example of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

Further, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses:

clause 1. a system (100) for producing a paint stencil (514) for painting a design on a target surface, comprising:

a processor (210) configured to generate a geometry file (214) of a paint template design, the processor comprising:

a design module (302) configured to parse the design into a set of paint sub-designs, and

a template design module (304) configured to generate a geometry file for the paint template design based on the set of paint sub-designs, the generated geometry file for the paint template design comprising a paint template design corresponding to a paint sub-design; and

a plotter (104) coupled to the processor (210) and configured to produce a set of paint templates based on the geometric files of the paint template design, wherein:

each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the paint design on the target surface, an

Each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes corresponding to the set of alignment marks for each respective paint stencil design.

Clause 2. the system of clause 1, wherein:

the stencil design module (304) is configured to generate, for each paint stencil design, a geometric file of the paint stencil design in a predetermined order relative to other paint stencil designs; and

the stencil design module (304) includes an alignment module (404), the alignment module (404) configured to orient the set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design.

Clause 3. the system of clause 2, wherein the plotter (104) includes a cutting component (510), the cutting component (510) configured to form the set of alignment holes from each respective paint stencil based on a respective set of alignment marks.

Clause 4. the system of clause 2, wherein:

the alignment module (404) includes a part geometry module (406) for a set of parts associated with the target surface; and

the alignment module (404) is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a first paint stencil design based on a first geometry of one or more of the set of parts associated with the target surface.

Clause 5. the system of clause 4, wherein:

the alignment module (404) further comprises a template geometry module (408) comprising geometry data for each paint template design; and

the alignment module (404) is further configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a second paint stencil design based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design.

Clause 6. the system of clause 2, wherein:

the alignment module (404) further comprises a template geometry module (408) comprising geometry data for each paint template design; and

the alignment module (404) is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a current paint stencil design based on a geometry of the set of alignment marks on a previous paint stencil design.

Clause 7. the system of clause 6, wherein the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on the previous paint stencil design.

Clause 8. an apparatus for generating a geometric file (214) of a paint template design, the geometric file (214) of the paint template design for generating a paint template (514) that facilitates painting the design on a target surface, the apparatus comprising:

a design module (302) configured to parse a paint design into a set of paint sub-designs;

a stencil design module (304) configured to generate a geometry file for the paint stencil design based on the set of paint sub-designs, the generated geometry file for the paint stencil design comprising a paint stencil design corresponding to a paint sub-design, wherein each paint stencil design comprises a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the paint design on the target surface; and

a communication module (306) coupleable to a plotter (104) and configured to transmit the generated geometry file of the paint template design to the plotter.

Clause 9. the apparatus of clause 8, wherein:

the stencil design module (304) is configured to generate, for each paint stencil design, a geometric file of the paint stencil design in a predetermined order relative to other paint stencil designs; and

the stencil design module (304) includes an alignment module (404), the alignment module (404) configured to orient the alignment of the set on each respective paint stencil design.

Clause 10. the apparatus of clause 9, wherein:

the alignment module (404) includes a part geometry module (406) for a set of parts associated with the target surface; and

the alignment module (404) is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a first paint stencil design based on a first geometry of one or more of the set of parts associated with the target surface.

Clause 11. the apparatus of clause 10, wherein:

the alignment module (404) further comprises a template geometry module (408) comprising geometry data for each paint template design; and

the alignment module (404) is further configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a second paint stencil design based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design.

Clause 12. the apparatus of clause 9, wherein:

the alignment module (404) further comprises a template geometry module (408) comprising geometry data for each paint template design; and

the alignment module (404) is configured to orient the set of alignment marks on a current paint stencil design based on a geometry of the set of alignment marks on a previous paint stencil design.

The apparatus of clause 13. the apparatus of clause 12, wherein the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on the previous paint stencil design.

Clause 14. a method (800) of producing a paint stencil (514) for painting a design (602) on a target surface (604), comprising:

(802) generating, by a processor (210), a geometry file (214) of a paint template design based on a set of paint sub-designs (212), the generated geometry file (214) of the paint template design comprising a paint template design corresponding to a paint sub-design for the design (602) on the target surface (604); and

(804) producing, by a plotter (104), a set of paint templates (514) based on the geometry files (214) of the paint template design, wherein:

each paint stencil design includes a set of alignment marks for facilitating painting of the design on the target surface, an

Each paint stencil is produced with a set of alignment holes (702) corresponding to the set of alignment marks for each respective paint stencil design.

Clause 15. the method of clause 14, wherein the step of generating a geometric file (214) of the paint template design comprises:

(902) parsing, by the processor (210), the design into the set of paint sub-designs;

(904) orienting the set of alignment marks on each respective paint stencil design; and

(906) combining a plurality of paint stencil designs in a predetermined order relative to one another to generate a geometric file of the paint stencil designs.

Clause 16. the method of clause 15, wherein the step of orienting the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design is based on a first geometry of one or more of the set of parts associated with the target surface.

Clause 17. the method of clause 16, wherein the step of orienting the set of alignment marks on a second paint stencil design is based on a second geometry of the set of alignment marks on the first paint stencil design.

Clause 18. the method of clause 15, wherein the step of orienting the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design is based on the geometry of the set of alignment marks on the previous paint stencil design.

Clause 19. the method of clause 18, wherein the set of alignment marks on the current paint stencil design includes a first alignment mark that is different from a second alignment mark on the previous paint stencil design.

Clause 20. the method of clause 14, wherein the step of producing the set of paint templates comprises (1004) forming the set of alignment holes from each respective paint template based on the corresponding set of alignment marks.

The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.