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Direct slicing of STEP based NURBS models for layered manufacturing

  • B. Starly
  • , A. Lau
  • , W. Sun
  • , W. Lau
  • , T. Bradbury

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Direct slicing of CAD models to generate process planning instructions for solid freeform fabrication may overcome inherent disadvantages of using stereolithography format in terms of the process accuracy, ease of file management, and incorporation of multiple materials. This paper will present the results of our development of a direct slicing algorithm for layered freeform fabrication. The direct slicing algorithm was based on a neutral, international standard (ISO 10303) STEP-formatted non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) geometric representation and is intended to be independent of any commercial CAD software. The following aspects of the development effort will be presented: (1) determination of optimal build direction based upon STEP-based NURBS models; (2) adaptive subdivision of NURBS data for geometric refinement; and (3) ray-casting slice generation into sets of raster patterns. The development also provides for multi-material slicing and will provide an effective tool in heterogeneous slicing processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)387-397
Number of pages11
JournalCAD Computer Aided Design
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biomodeling
  • Direct slicing
  • Layered manufacturing
  • Medical rapid prototyping
  • Solid freeform fabrication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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