Study On CAD/CAM Software For Selective Laser Melting Technology

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a promising Rapid Prototyping(RP) technology arised in recent years, which has broad application prospects in manufacturing complex metal parts with high density, high dimensional accuracy and high mechanical perfomance.At present, there is a great technique gap technology between our country and foreign countries in many aspects of SLM, such as SLM equipment mechanism, processing control, and compensation algorithm for laser spot Thus, this paper's research on SLM system software may wish to narrow the gap, and has important engineering value.Based on requirements analysis of the SLM system, we selected Open CASCADE an open-source geometric modeling software platform, for the design of CAD / CAM modules and interactive man-machine interface module.Model rendering of 3D solid parts and organization of 2D sliced pattern data are the core of SLM software, which is essential for the efficiency and accuracy of the processing control. We designed a unified geometry class object model for managing CAD data structure,sliced pattern data structure and process parameters data structure,based on which we realized multiple parts read and display, sliced pattern data organization, and local process parameters setting.For requirements of high-precision parts manufacturing, the paper also developed laser spot compensation algorithm, and similar pattern recognition algorithm for SLM process control. Software function module of processing errors compensation form the laser spot, special graphics identify and process parameters setting were realized.Finally, to test the function of the software, we manufactured a maxillary denture parts sample, the result showed that the new SLM control software well realized the intended design function.