InfoPrint: Embedding Information into 3D Printed Objects
This addresses the need for covert data storage and authentication in 3D printed objects, offering a practical solution for makers and industries, though it is incremental as it builds on existing 3D printing and imaging technologies.
The researchers tackled the problem of embedding invisible information into 3D printed objects using off-the-shelf dual-head FDM printers, enabling retrieval with infrared-based devices like thermal cameras and near-infrared scanners, and demonstrated applications such as interactive thermal displays and hidden board game tokens.
We present a technique to embed information invisible to the eye inside 3D printed objects. The information is integrated in the object model, and then fabricated using off-the-shelf dual-head FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printers. Our process does not require human intervention during or after printing with the integrated model. The information can be arbitrary symbols, such as icons, text,binary, or handwriting. To retrieve the information, we evaluate two different infrared-based imaging devices that are readily available-thermal cameras and near-infrared scanners. Based on our results, we propose design guidelines for a range of use cases to embed and extract hidden information. We demonstrate how our method can be used for different applications, such as interactive thermal displays, hidden board game tokens, tagging functional printed objects, and autographing non-fungible fabrication work.