An adaptive slicing algorithm based on model contour information

The original slicing algorithm needs to traverse all triangular facets when performing triangular facet screening, and the calculation amount is large. When performing model feature recognition, the feature standard is less, resulting in inaccurate feature recognition and the phenomenon that the position of the model feature moves. To solve these problems, an adaptive hierarchical algorithm based on model contour information is proposed. This algorithm is applicable to fused deposition additive manufacturing. By analyzing the geometric characteristics of the STL (Standard Triangulated Language) model, the model is divided into non-significant feature part, general feature part and complex feature part by using the change of contour intersection point number. For the model with non-significant feature part, the angle between the normal vector of the triangular patch and the stratification direction is used as the basis of slicing. For the model of the general feature part, the angle between the normal vectors of the adjacent triangular patches in this part is used as the basis of slicing algorithm. For the model of complex feature part, the index based on Taubin vertex normal vector is used as the basis of slicing algorithm. The equal thickness slicing algorithm, the adaptive slicing algorithm based on the normal vector of triangular facets and the algorithm proposed in this paper are used to slice the ship model, vase model and dice model respectively. The models are printed by the six-degree-of-freedom (six-DOF) additive manufacturing (AM) device and tested by a roughness meter. The experimental results show that the proposed method can better balance the printing accuracy and printing efficiency.