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An improved slicing algorithm with efficient contour construction using STL files

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Abstract

Slicing is an important step for all layer-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes. This paper proposes an improved and robust slicing algorithm with efficient contour construction to reduce the slicing time and be able to slice a complex STereoLithography (STL) model with millions of triangles (resulting from high-accuracy STL files). Also, another important feature of the proposed method is it can identify outer and inner contours automatically. Test results to demonstrate the improvements in execution time and comparisons with results from published papers have been given to illustrate the algorithm efficiency. The robustness of this slicing algorithm is demonstrated by several complex models with large numbers of nested contours on each slice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300132, China

    Zhengyan Zhang

  2. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA, 16802, USA

    Sanjay Joshi

Authors
  1. Zhengyan Zhang
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  2. Sanjay Joshi
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Correspondence to Zhengyan Zhang.

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Zhang, Z., Joshi, S. An improved slicing algorithm with efficient contour construction using STL files. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 80, 1347–1362 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-015-7071-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-015-7071-9

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