Slicing Algorithm Research And Software Implementation Based On STL Model

With the economic and social development, the rapid prototyping technology is more and more widely used in various fields, as a typical rapid prototyping technology, 3D printing soon becomes the focus and frontiers of research because of its low cost, short forming time and other significant advantages. In 3D printing technology, layered software is the key factor, which determines the quality and efficiency of 3D printing. The slicing algorithm is the core of layered software, it directly affects the forming time and quality of formed parts. Therefore, the research on the slicing algorithm is of great value. This paper focuses on the slicing algorithm of 3D printing technology research and software implementation. An equal-thickness slicing algorithm based on STL model is proposed by author. After verification was carried out on the advantages of the algorithm, a basic version 1.0 of the software is realized by C++.The general reading algorithms based on the binary format and text format of STL file are described in this paper. Then, an improved fast reading algorithm is proposed which can remove most of the data redundancy of STL file. Experimental results show that the efficiency of this removing redundancy reading algorithm is obviously better than other algorithm. After studying reading algorithm, the third chapter introduced the slicing algorithm on basis of STL file. After analyses were conducted on the advantages and disadvantages of the existing slicing algorithm based on STL model, an equal-thickness slicing algorithm is proposed and is realized by MATLAB, which can reduce the count of scanning of position relation between triangle facets and tangent plane. After improving reading algorithm and optimizing the slicing algorithm based on STL model, software is realized by C++. In this paper, the efficiency of the improved algorithm and the implementation of the application program are given. Experimental results show that the speed of improved reading algorithm is faster than most existing algorithms and the result of improved slicing algorithm is stable and effective. The software of V1.0 version with friendly and full-featured interface, can provide support for 3D printers.