*The slicing software is used to process the 3D geometry into 2D slices then toolpaths for the additive manufacturing process. The improvements in slicing software allow different types of infill to be chosen. Even though the choice is abundant Most infill structures are confined to a constant density which limits the user from modifying local mechanical properties inside the structure. In this paper, we propose a novel toolpath enhancing algorithm. We start with the toolpath generated by a commonly used slicer, such as slic3r and Cura, then adapting the toolpath to a custom defined density field. We enrich the infill toolpath by modifying the width of the infill toolpath with connected Fermat curves. Connected Fermat curves maintain the original topology of the infill toolpath which prevents the extruder from traversals without material deposition. This method allows the creation of a toolpath that incorporates the design optimization result. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a toolpaths design of an optimized structure.*


Enhanced Toolpath Planning for Fused Filament Fabrication

Division / Sponsors: 
Design Engineering Division and Computers & Information In Engineering Division


Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IDETC-CIE/IDETC-CIE2020/volume/83907

IDETC2020 - Virtual Conference

Supporting the need among researchers worldwide for additional online and multimedia content, ASME now offers the ASME Conference Video Collection. This platform will collect and provide long-term access to conference presentation videos, encompassing all technology areas within ASME's technical conference and events program. About 30,000-40,000 engineers across all mechanical engineering and related disciplines participate in ASME conferences each year. This includes authors of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 technical papers published by ASME, the majority of whom also submit video presentations for our virtual conferences. The video collection will be available as an add-on to existing product packages or as a separate subscription.