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Toolpath Generation

The document discusses various aspects of 3D printing, focusing on fused deposition modeling (FDM) and the role of slicers in converting 3D models into printer instructions. It covers different types of 3D modeling software, including parametric and polygonal modeling, and explains STL file formats. Additionally, it addresses computational geometry concepts, sorting algorithms for polygonal chains, and advanced techniques like non-planar printing and material extrusion methods.

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Ishraq Farhan
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11 views

Toolpath Generation

The document discusses various aspects of 3D printing, focusing on fused deposition modeling (FDM) and the role of slicers in converting 3D models into printer instructions. It covers different types of 3D modeling software, including parametric and polygonal modeling, and explains STL file formats. Additionally, it addresses computational geometry concepts, sorting algorithms for polygonal chains, and advanced techniques like non-planar printing and material extrusion methods.

Uploaded by

Ishraq Farhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3D printer and CNC toolpath/

extruder path generation


Lec Shadman Tajwar, ME Dept, MIST
Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
• Fused deposition modeling, or FDM for short, is a material extrusion
method of additive manufacturing in which materials are extruded through
a nozzle and deposited in 2D layers on the build platform. While still warm,
these layers fuse to eventually create a three-dimensional part.
Slicer
• A 3D printer slicer is a software that converts a 3D model into a set of
instructions for a 3D printer to follow. The slicer does this by breaking
the model into thin layers, called slices, and then describing how to
print each layer.
Types of 3D modelling software
• Parametric Modeling uses mathematical equations and parameters
(like dimensions and constraints) to define shapes. It is feature-based,
allowing precise control and easy modifications. Common in CAD
software, it’s ideal for engineering and manufacturing.
• Polygonal modeling represents 3D objects as a mesh of connected
polygons (usually triangles). It focuses on the visual appearance
rather than precise dimensions, making it suitable for animation,
games, and 3D printing after conversion to STL format.
Polygonal modeling
Types of 3D modelling software
STL - Standard Triangle Language
• An STL file (short for Standard Triangle Language) is a widely used file
format in 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD). It represents
the surface geometry of a 3D object using a mesh of triangular
facets.
• Two types- ASCII STL, and Binary STL.
STL - Standard Triangle Language
• ASCII STL- Human-readable format where each triangle is described
with explicit coordinates for its vertices and a normal vector.
STL - Standard Triangle Language
• Binary STL - Compact, machine-readable format that stores the same
data (triangles and normals) in binary encoding.
Slicer
Slicer
Computational Geometry
• Computational geometry is a branch of computer science and
mathematics that deals with designing and analyzing algorithms to
solve geometric problems. These problems often involve points, lines,
polygons, and other geometric objects in two or more dimensions.
Ray-plane intersection
Ray-plane intersection
Ray-plane intersection
Ray-plane intersection
Sorting
• Choose direction- clockwise or anticlockwise
• Start with the first line segment in the series/array/list
• If x1start>x1end and y1start>y1end (for anticlockwise)
• continue to the next step
• Else
• Reverse the direction and continue to the next step
Sorting
• Compare the end of the current line with the start and end of the
next line segment in the series
• If both start and end of line segment are not same as end of
current line, then skip the line segment and compare it with next
line segment in the series
• Else if start of line segment is same as end of current line, then
swap the position
• Else if end of line segment is same as end of current line, then
reverse direction and swap position
• If a match was found, change current line to the next line segment in
the series
Sorting
• Continue until all line segments have been compared.
Sorting
• Individual polygonal chains must also be separated.
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Polygonal offset
Walls
• In 3D printing, walls, skins, or shells are the lines of material that
follow the object's outer perimeter, providing structural integrity and
a smooth surface finish. The outer wall is offset inwards by a distance
of half the extrusion width from the cross-section. To generate the
inner walls, the outer wall is offset inwards by the extrusion width to
create multiple equidistant walls.
Walls
Polygonal offset
Hole identification
Hole identification

u=𝑃𝑖+1 −𝑃𝑖,𝑤 = 𝑃− 𝑃𝑖
Zigzag infill
Zigzag infill
Monotone Polygon
• a polygon P in the plane is
called monotone with respect
to a straight line L, if every
line orthogonal to L intersects
the boundary of P at most
twice.
Monotone Polygon
• Polygonal decomposition refers
to breaking a polygon into
smaller, simpler components
such as triangles, rectangles, or
convex polygons. This process
has applications in computer
graphics, computational
geometry, finite element
analysis, and robotics.
Zigzag infill
• the vertices are sorted by their y
values
Zigzag infill
• A horizontal line is swept from the
top to the bottom of the polygon,
maintaining a count of intersections
with the polygon edges. The
number of intersections above and
below the vertex is compared at
each point. The points at which the
number of intersections changes
indicate a merge or split event. The
lines passing through the event
points partition the polygon into
monotone sub-polygons with
respect to the sweep line.
Zigzag infill
• First, an adjacency graph is
created using the shared
partition edges of each
monotone polygon, where a
number represents each
polygon.
Zigzag infill
• Connected components through
the adjacency graph are
determined based on a depth-
first graph search (DSF) algorithm
such that each monotone sub-
polygon is visited only once.
Zigzag infill
• Connected components through
the adjacency graph are
determined based on a depth-
first graph search (DSF) algorithm
such that each monotone sub-
polygon is visited only once.
Finally, the polygons are
connected in the order given by
the connected components.
Zigzag infill
• Connected components through
the adjacency graph are
determined based on a depth-
first graph search (DSF) algorithm
such that each monotone sub-
polygon is visited only once.
Finally, the polygons are
connected in the order given by
the connected components.
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Polygonal Decomposition
Boustrophedon paths
• Boustrophedon paths are a systematic coverage strategy often used
in computer-aided machining, robotics, agricultural machinery, and
aerial drones to cover an area efficiently. The term comes from the
Greek word "boustrophedon," meaning "as the ox turns," which
describes the back-and-forth motion used in plowing fields.
Boustrophedon paths
Non-planar printing
• Non-planar 3D printing is an advanced additive manufacturing
technique where the print head moves along 3D paths rather than
following the traditional layer-by-layer planar approach. This method
allows the extruder to deposit material on curved or non-flat
surfaces, offering several advantages over conventional planar 3D
printing.
Staircase effect
• The staircase effect is a common limitation in traditional planar 3D
printing, where the printed object exhibits visible step-like lines on
slanted or curved surfaces. These lines occur because the object is
built layer by layer in horizontal planes, and the resolution of these
layers defines the appearance of the final surface.
Staircase effect
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Non-planar printing
Material Extrusion
• Fused Deposition Modeling- A filament of thermoplastic material is
heated and extruded through a nozzle to build up the object layer by
layer.
• Direct Ink Writing- DIW uses a syringe or similar extrusion system to
deposit a paste-like material layer by layer. The materials used in DIW
are typically viscous and can be conductive, structural, or biological
inks.
Fused Deposition Modeling
Fused Deposition Modeling
Direct Ink Writing
Extrusion rate
Extrusion cross-section
Extrusion cross-section
Machining operations
Machining operations
Machining operations

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