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A tool-path generation strategy for wire and arc additive manufacturing

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Abstract

This paper presents an algorithm to automatically generate optimal tool-paths for the wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process for a large class of geometries. The algorithm firstly decomposes 2D geometries into a set of convex polygons based on a divide-and-conquer strategy. Then, for each convex polygon, an optimal scan direction is identified and a continuous tool-path is generated using a combination of zigzag and contour pattern strategies. Finally, all individual sub-paths are connected to form a closed curve. This tool-path generation strategy fulfils the design requirements of WAAM, including simple implementation, a minimized number of starting-stopping points, and high surface accuracy. Compared with the existing hybrid method, the proposed path planning strategy shows better surface accuracy through experiments on a general 3D component.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical, Materials & Mechatronic, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfield Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia

    Donghong Ding, Zengxi (Stephen) Pan, Dominic Cuiuri & Huijun Li

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  1. Donghong Ding
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  2. Zengxi (Stephen) Pan
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  3. Dominic Cuiuri
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  4. Huijun Li
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Correspondence to Donghong Ding.

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Ding, D., Pan, Z.(., Cuiuri, D. et al. A tool-path generation strategy for wire and arc additive manufacturing. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 73, 173–183 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-5808-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-5808-5

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