Direct Slicing with Optimum Number of Contour Points

In this work, a rational procedure has been formulated for the selection of points approximating slice contours cut in LOM (Laminated Object manufacturing) with first order approximation. It is suggested that the number of points representing a slice contour can be 'minimised' or 'optmised' by equating the horizontal chordal deviation (HCD) to the user-defined surface form tolerance. It has been shown that such optimization leads to substantial reduction in slice height calculations and NC codes file size for cutting out the slices. Due to optimization, the number of contour points varies from layer to layer, so that points on successive layer contours have to be matched by four sided ruled surface patches and triangular patches. The technological problems associated with the cutting out of triangular patches have been addressed. A robust algorithm has been developed for the determination of slice height for optimum and arbitrary numbers of contour points with different strategies for error calculations. It has been shown that optimisation may even lead to detection and appropriate representation of elusive surface features. An index of optimisation has been defined and calculations of the same have been tabulated.