Additive Manufacturing using UV Polymerization of Complex Surfaces Generated by Two Main B-Splines

摘要

In the modern industry the necessity to realize products with given specifications requires the use of proper tools. In particular, the realization of prototypes or the possibility to realize directly the product without customized tools can be allowed with less time consuming by additive manufacturing instead of conventional techniques. The present research aims at investigating the effect of a complex geometry on dimensional and surface quality of a component made by additive manufacturing of UV treatable polymers by a poly-jet system. A semi-ellipsoid surface was generated on two main B-spline lines realized with different curvatures using six control points each. The CAD information was converted into a STL and a slicing interval less than 0.05 mm applied. The effect of the two building directions imposed to the nozzle with respect to the two main profiles of the surface was evaluated in terms of surface waviness and staircase. Due to the complexity of the geometry, the shape information was detected by a 3D SCANNER. The shape of the photopolymerized model was in excellent agreement with that of CAD and the 3D SCANNER was able to detect waviness and staircase. The methodology proposed and results are reported in detail.