Statistical Analysis of Deviations from the Correct Shape of Surface Depending on Product Orientation in Workspace of Additive Machine

Abstract

The peculiarity of additive manufacturing is that steps are formed on the product surface resulting from the layered building. The steps’ dimensions are determined by the deviations of the real surface from its correct shape specified by 3D model of the product. The orientation of the 3D model of the product in the workspace of the additive machine and the building step are the main factors determining the sizes of the steps. The article presents the results of a statistical analysis of deviations from the correct shape of the product surface obtained by additive manufacturing and based on a 3D model. Industrial products with varying surface complexity were selected as test 3D models. These 3D models were studied in a variety of orientation options in the workspace of the additive machine. Slicing 3D models were used to form a set of layers according to strategies, with a constant and variable step. The obtained results of the statistical analysis allow scientifically substantiated assessment of the efficiency of the joint solution of optimization tasks to determine the slicing parameters and rational orientation of the product in the workspace of an additive machine, depending on its complexity.

Keywords

• additive manufacturing
• technological process planning
• product orientation
• layered slicing
• precision of shaping