Rapid Prototyping And Direct Slicing

Since RP system was invented, STL file has been widely used as data exchange file. But STL file has lots of disadvantages, such as error, limited precision, and large data volume. Recently, RP device's performance has been highly improved. Requirements of surface machining, micro-workpiece machining become higher and higher, so some researchers try to pre-process STL files for improving its precision. Others design their slice processing software on CAD platform. But this paper doesn't flow such ideas. Neither STL files nor CAD platforms are used. An algorithm for Surface/plane intersection that Direct-slice processing based on is designed and implemented in this paper. Direct-slice processing in this paper can get rid of STL files' disadvantages, and work without CAD platform. So it has own copyright, and is more competitive in business application.surface/plane intersection is the key technology of direct slice processing. Tracing intersection method for direct-slicing processing is implemented in this paper. Many problems of tracing intersection method have been researched, such as original tracing points searching, lost tracing orientation, tracing step calculating, boundarys processing. Related solutions of those problems are put forward. Furthermore, A serial of assistant algorithms are developed for direct-slicing too. Testing and validating of algorithms are completed, via a test software Direct Slice, which is designed in Object Pascal computer language.Data exchanging and the interpolation of intersection points are researched too. Because 3D Model viewing is necessary for graphics software, OpenGL Model display component is also designed and implemented.This paper is try to find a new method for RP data processing, without STL files and CAD platform. The Direct-slice processing in this paper is a complex algorithm, but stability, higher precision, small data volume are available.