Reduction of Support Structures and Building Time by Optimized Path Planning Algorithms in Multi-axis Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is an emerging technology that enables new product design. However, major inhibitors are long building times and a fixed build direction of the workpieces. In this article, new optimization and path planning methods for multi-axis additive manufacturing are presented going beyond conventional three-axis systems. This includes an adaptation of the building direction and an algorithm for the special case of cylindrical axes. These methods can reduce the production time drastically by avoiding support structures and by using the integration of predefined building blocks to substitute the infill. We present both, the new manufacturing process and the necessary computation methods for optimal process and path planning. Decreasing the building time and the amount of support structures paves the way for new application domains of additive manufacturing in the future.