On the Potential of Slicing Algorithms in Additive Manufacturing for the Optimization of Geometrical Part Accuracy

Abstract

Despite its potentials, geometrical inaccuracies remain a major shortcoming for Additive Manufacturing in general and especially for Fused Layer Modeling, even though much research effort is put in enhancing mechanical properties and reducing process-specific deviations by optimizing process parameters. Novel slicing and path planning algorithms, such as non-planar printing, are suitable tools for addressing these problems and thus for improving geometrical part accuracy, but are subject of current research and only partly applicable. With the aim to show and evaluate the potential of these algorithms in the context of tolerancing, this paper proposes an approach for applying one pre-processing technique to 3D-printed parts. The exemplary application shows the applicability and the high potential of advanced slicing and path planning algorithms. The findings therefore indicate that aspects of pre-processing should be matched with the parts geometry and therefore have to be frontloaded into the product and the tolerance design for their consideration.