Feature-based Print Method for Multi-Axis Material Extrusion in Additive Manufacturing

Procedia CIRP, vol. 93, pp. 85–89

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology develops very dynamically in terms of new processes, materials and areas of application. Cost intensive post processing, especially removal of support structures is one big challenge in material extrusion (ME) processes and drives development of new machine designs like 5-axis printers. Currently, time intensive manual programming of machine code is necessary in order to slice parts for multi-axis printing. This paper deals with an experimental study of state-of-the-art 3D-printers developing a feature-based print method for multi-axis systems by using an adaptive layer height while reducing support structures and stair-step effect. Computer-aided manufacturing for ME is investigated in order to develop a geometric model for trajectory planning.

Authors 5

1. Günther Schuh Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Georg Bergweiler Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Gerret Lukas Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Steffen Hohenstein corresponding Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Jan Schenk Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany