Product Model Driven Direct Manufacturing

The input to the freeform fabrication process is essentially geometric data, raw material, material data and process parameters. Optimal process parameters depend upon current material and the part geometry. This paper describes an research approach in which all necessary input including process parameters are obtained or derived from the product model. The part geometry with its process parameters is transferred as a STEP model to the SFF system. In the SFF system this model is converted to the internal format, coupled to the process parameters. The approach is exemplified with the SLS machine from DTM as SFF system.