Multi-orientation adaptive slice and path generation based on support constraint and relationship matrix

Purpose The step effect and support structure generated by the manufacturing process of fused deposition molding parts increase the consumables cost and decrease the printing quality. Multiorientation printing helps improve the surface quality of parts and reduce support, but path interference exists between the printing layer and the layers printed. The purpose of this study is to design printing paths between different submodels to avoid interference when build orientation changed. Design/methodology/approach Considering support constraint, build orientation sequence is designed for submodels decomposed by model topology. The minimum printing angle between printing layers is analyzed. Initial path through the oriented bounding box is planned and slice interference relationship is then detected according to the projection topology mapping. Based on the relationship matrix of multiorientation slice, feasible path is calculated by directed graph (DG). Final printing path is determined under support constraint and checked by minimum printing angle. The simulation model of the robotic arm is established to verify the accessibility of printing path under the constraint of support and slice. Findings The proposed method can reduce support structure, decrease volume error and effectively solve the interference problem of the printing path for multiorientation slice. Originality/value The method based on projection topology mapping greatly improves the efficiency of interference detection. A feasible path calculated through DGs ensures the effectiveness of the printing path with the constraint of support and slice.