Research on the Optimization Method of Scanning Direction for Rapid Prototyping Based on GA

An optimization method of scanning vectors for hatching sectional contours is presented. In rapid prototyping technology, the number of scanning vectors has significant influence on machining efficiency. Through analyzing the hatching characteristic of polygonal contours, approximately optimization model of direction of scanning vectors is established. And then, the error of the optimization model is analyzed. At last, the optimization model is solved by generic algorithm. Experiment shows that the number of scanning vectors for hatching sectional contours reduced evident after optimizing the scanning direction by the method in this paper.