Abstract
PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the feasibility of adding macro-textures to triangle meshes for additive manufacturing (AM) focusing on possible time and quality issues in both software processing and part fabrication.Design/methodology/approachA demonstrative software tool was developed to apply user-selected textures to existing meshes. The computational procedure is a three-dimensional extension of the solid texturing method used in computer graphics. The tool was tested for speed and quality of results, considering also the pre- and post-processing operations required. Some textured meshes were printed by different processes to test build speed and quality.FindingsThe tool can handle models with realistic complexity in acceptable computation times. Parts are built without difficulties or extra-costs achieving a good aesthetic yield of the texture.Research limitations/implicationsThe tool cannot reproduce sample patterns but requires the development of a generation algorithm for different type of textures. Mesh processing operations may take a long time when very fine textures are added to large parts.Practical implicationsDirect texturing can help obtain parts with aesthetic or functional textures without the need for surface post-treatments, which can be especially difficult and expensive for plastic parts.Originality/valueThe proposed method improves the uniformity and consistency of textures compared to existing approaches, and can support future systematic studies on the detail resolution of AM processes.
Highlights
The high geometric complexity allowed by additive manufacturing (AM) techniques allows designers to add unique features to products
The proposed solution for direct texturing has been tested against the constraints posed by AM processes
The paper has dealt with the feasibility of adding surface texture to digital models for AM applications
Summary
The high geometric complexity allowed by additive manufacturing (AM) techniques allows designers to add unique features to products. As an alternative to post-processing treatments, AM parts can be directly textured by adding surface detail to the triangle meshes in stereolithography (STL) format used as input for the build process (Figure 1). This is becoming easier for several reasons. Structural properties may be enhanced by properly designed surface texture; Ko et al (2019) show that Voronoi-like patterns increase the bending strength of plastic parts, while Johnson et al (2018) fabricate prototypes of protective armor with bio-inspired patterns that improve resistance to blade penetration
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