Multi-orientational deposition to minimize support in the layered manufacturing process

Abstract

A support structure is necessary for part fabrication in some layered manufacturing (LM) processes, but the utilization of support structures often causes low efficiency and poor quality of the finished parts. In this paper, a process planning approach based on a multi-orientational deposition (MOD) method is proposed to minimize the use of support structures, so as to improve the efficiency in LM process and surface quality of a part built. An algorithm to determine the successive layer area difference (SLAD) for layer deposition and its application to overhang feature extraction and reduction using the MOD method is also introduced.