Adaptive tool-path generation of rapid prototyping for complex product models

Rapid prototyping (RP) provides an effective method for model verification and product development collaboration. A challenging research issue in RP is how to shorten the build time and improve the surface accuracy especially for complex product models. In this paper, systematic adaptive algorithms and strategies have been developed to address the challenge. A slicing algorithm has been first developed for directly slicing a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model as a number of RP layers. Closed Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) curves have been introduced to represent the contours of the layers to maintain the surface accuracy of the CAD model. Based on it, a mixed and adaptive tool-path generation algorithm, which is aimed to optimize both the surface quality and fabrication efficiency in RP, has been then developed. The algorithm can generate contour tool-paths for the boundary of each RP sliced layer to reduce the surface errors of the model, and zigzag tool-paths for the internal area of the layer to speed up fabrication. In addition, based on developed build time analysis mathematical models, adaptive strategies have been devised to generate variable speeds for contour tool-paths to address the geometric characteristics in each layer to reduce build time, and to identify the best slope degree of zigzag tool-paths to further minimize the build time. In the end, case studies of complex product models have been used to validate and showcase the performance of the developed algorithms in terms of processing effectiveness and surface accuracy. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Society of Manufacturing Engineers. All rights reserved.