A Non-retracted Path Generation Algorithm for Material Extrusion Type of Additive Manufacturing

Ozcan M., Hergul Y., Yaman U.

32nd International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, FAIM 2023, Porto, Portekiz, 18 - 22 Haziran 2023, ss.380-387 identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/978-3-031-38241-3_43
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Porto
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Portekiz
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.380-387
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: additive manufacturing, Continuous path planning, Hierholzer’s Algorithm, material extrusion, non-printing, non-retraction, Voronoi diagrams
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Path planning algorithms are utilized in various fields to improve the efficiency of the defined tasks. Regarding extrusion based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, an optimized path performs the same task in less time with higher surface quality and better mechanical properties. This paper proposes a continuous path planning algorithm for decreased manufacturing time and better surface quality of artifacts fabricated via extrusion-based AM. It is a versatile path-planning algorithm developed on Hierholzer’s algorithm for directed graphs. It generates a continuous path for any given graph representing the infill pattern of the parts to be fabricated via material extrusion. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with respect to the conventional Hierholzer’s algorithm and other similar algorithms over various cases. In the literature, complete elimination of u-turns is not observed so that the novelty of this work is to attain a continuous path planning algorithm that can eliminate both fast travels and u-turns. In addition to the advantages of continuous paths, the proposed method results in better surface quality due to its ability to omit u-turns during travel. The algorithm may also be used in laser-based AM technologies or any area coverage applications.