Handling of Process Relevant Form Structures within Solid Freeform Fabrication Using a Feature-based Approach

The field of rapid prototyping has been evolving at a fast pace since stereolithography, one of the first new solid freeform fabrication technologies, got introduced. Although, commercially available at the market for less than 8 years, it seems those new technologies are on the way to succeed all other existing prototyping technologies such as computer-numerically-controlled machinery, in many applications. Despite the remarkable progress of such rapid prototyping technologies and further new emerging systems, there is still a profound need to improve existing technologies in directions of production time, accuracy, and processed materials. Further, adequate methodologies and data structures, which seem to be neglected, are required to support the integration into CAD / CAM. Within given scope, we are investigating in how far it is possible, to model and handle on an integrated base process relevant form structures such as supports and drainage, used in rapid prototyping especially stereolithography, within a feature-based approach. Taken approach is intended to support computer-aided process planning, acting as a dynamic link for CAD / CAM in rapid prototyping applications. To demonstrate the applicability of our taken approach and to verify developed methodologies, parts, selected from precision machinery engineering were modeled and processed. An implemented prototype environment and a stereolithography apparatus, respectively, were used as an experimental testbed for integrated knowledge handling, computation and applications of a solid freeform fabrication technology.