Visual Modeling and Simulation for Laser Action Area in Rapid Prototyping

To select optimal processing parameters for rapid prototyping (RP) and improve the product efficiency, a visual modeling and simulating method for laser action area in RP was proposed. The SolidWorks' API (application programming interface) functions were transferred by the VB (visual basic) to program the system. This method could carry out each simulating treatment in processing for various slicing schemes, and it realizes the visualization of rapid prototyping simulation-results in SolidWorks. By analyzing and optimizing the results, a set of optimal parameters was obtained. Thus, it improves the processing efficiency as well as the accuracy and decreases cost.