Abstract:
We present a new algorithm for coordinating the motion of multiple extruders to increase throughput in fused filament fabrication (FFF)/fused deposition modeling (FDM) ad...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
We present a new algorithm for coordinating the motion of multiple extruders to increase throughput in fused filament fabrication (FFF)/fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing. Platforms based on FFF are commonly available and advantageous to several industries, but are limited by slow fabrication time and could be could be significantly improved through efficient use of multiple extruders. We propose the coordinated toolpath planning problem for systems of extruders mounted as end-effectors on robot arms with the objective of maximizing utilization and avoiding collisions. Building on the idea of dependency graphs introduced in our earlier work, we develop a planning and control framework that precomputes a set of multi-layer toolpath segments from the input model and efficiently assigns them to individual extruders such that executed toolpaths are collision-free. Our method overcomes key limitations of existing methods, including utilization loss from workspace partitioning, precomputed toolpaths subject to collisions with the partially fabricated object, and wasted motion resulting from strict layer-by-layer fabrication. We report simulation results that show a major increase in utilization compared to single and multi-extruder methods, and favorable fabrication results using commodity hardware that demonstrate the feasibility of our method in practice.
Date of Conference: 23-27 October 2022
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 26 December 2022
ISBN Information:
ISSN Information:
Funding Agency:
Keywords assist with retrieval of results and provide a means to discovering other relevant content. Learn more.
- IEEE Keywords
- Index Terms
- Additive Manufacturing ,
- Tool Path Planning ,
- Model Input ,
- Robotic Arm ,
- Increase In Utilization ,
- Fused Deposition Modeling ,
- Fabrication Time ,
- Dependency Graph ,
- Polylactic Acid ,
- Fundamental Challenge ,
- Marker Positions ,
- Benchmark Model ,
- Collision Detection ,
- Planning Algorithm ,
- High Versatility ,
- Improvement Of Utilization ,
- Object Geometry ,
- Multi-layered Approach ,
- Print Bed ,
- Coworking Spaces
Keywords assist with retrieval of results and provide a means to discovering other relevant content. Learn more.
- IEEE Keywords
- Index Terms
- Additive Manufacturing ,
- Tool Path Planning ,
- Model Input ,
- Robotic Arm ,
- Increase In Utilization ,
- Fused Deposition Modeling ,
- Fabrication Time ,
- Dependency Graph ,
- Polylactic Acid ,
- Fundamental Challenge ,
- Marker Positions ,
- Benchmark Model ,
- Collision Detection ,
- Planning Algorithm ,
- High Versatility ,
- Improvement Of Utilization ,
- Object Geometry ,
- Multi-layered Approach ,
- Print Bed ,
- Coworking Spaces