Optimal Orientation selection in different rapid prototyping processes

摘要

The ability to determine the optimal orientation for part building isan important capability in the efficient utilization of Rapid Prototyping(RP0 processes. Differences in the part building process in different RP processes mean however that what is the optimal orientation in one processs may be sub-optimal in another. Furthermore the choice of the different objective functions can lead to idfferent optimal orientation for a given RP process. These issues are consideredin this paper for four well-known RP processes, namely stereolithography(SLA), selective laser sintering(SLS), fusion deposition modelling(FDM) and laminated object manufacturing(LOM). The different objectives considered are; minimal part inaccuracy, minimal building cost and minimal building time. Factors influencing these objectives for the four processes are discussed and geometric features which have a bearing on the part accuracy and the building cost are defined. A case study is presented to illustrate the selection of different optimal orientations in different Rp processes.