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, Portugal, 18 - 22 June 2023, pp.380-387, (Full Text) identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/978-3-031-38241-3_43
  • City: Porto
  • Country: Portugal
  • Page Numbers: pp.380-387
  • Keywords: additive manufacturing, Continuous path planning, Hierholzer’s Algorithm, material extrusion, non-printing, non-retraction, Voronoi diagrams
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

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.