Attribute driven process architecture for additive manufacturing

In additive manufacturing (AM) process, the manufacturing attributes are highly dependent upon the execution of hierarchical plan. Among them, material deposition plan can frequently interrupt the AM process due to tool-path changes, tool start-stop and non-deposition time, which can be challenging during free-form part fabrication. In this paper, the layer geometries for both model and support structure are analyzed to identify the features that create change in deposition modality. First, the overhanging points on the part surface are identified using the normal vector direction of the model surface. A k-th nearest point algorithm is implemented to generate the 3d boundary support contour which is used to construct the support structure. Both model and support structures are sliced and contours are evaluated. The layer contour, plurality, concavity, number of contours, geometric shape, size and interior islands are considered to generate an AM deposition model. The proposed model is solved for minimizing the change in deposition modality by maximizing the continuity and connectivity in the material deposition plan. Both continuity and connectivity algorithms are implemented for model and support structure for free-form object. The proposed algorithm provides the optimum deposition direction that results in minimum number of tool-path segments and their connectivity while minimizing contour plurality effect. This information is stored as a generic digital file format named Part Attributable Motion (PAM). A common application program interface (API) platform is also proposed in this paper, which can access the PAM and generate machine readable file for different existing 3D printers. The proposed research is implemented on three free-form objects with complex geometry and parts are fabricated. Also, the build time is evaluated and the results are compared with the available 3d printing software.