Automatic Generation Algorithm And Implementation Of Support Structures In Selective Laser Melting

With the forming part more and more complex and increasingly requires high precision, adding support parts in selective laser melting(SLM) technology becomes more and more ugent and rigid. At present, the software for the support generation based on foreign mature technology is very expensive generally, and it restricts the application and development of domestic SLM seriously. In the work the automatic support generation algorithm has been proposed and implemented. The main results are as followed:First of all, by investigating the support demand in SLM, a solution of support automatic generation was proposed. The triangular topological relations in STL models was effectively reconstructed, and the depth first search of picking algorithm was designed realized. The areas can be selected directly through the mouse to select the areaclick. It provides some basis for the design of the support structure.Secondly, the automatic generation algorithm is the core part of the automatic generation of software. At first, the paper summarizes the existing support automatic generation algorithm and the analysis of their advantages and disadvantages.The automatic generation algorithm was proposed through solving the intersection points of area projection and scanning line to get the series key points of supports that used for, to the support generation. Using this method, the support adding will be very convenient, and four kinds of support and are realized at present,They are grid support, grid-solid support, cylindrical support, solid support. By programming, the models that owns 39476 triangles and 100032 triangle were generated the 4mm grid support,using time: 1.06 seconds and 0.562 seconds.The automatic generation algorithm has a high efficiency.Finally, the support generationa software and a dynamic library was developed based on Visual Studio 2005 development tools in the Windows system platform. The rationality and correctness of the above support automatic generation algorithm and scheme were validated by testing with some typical parts by compared with Magics software.The result showed that the support generation software developed in this paper has higher operating efficiency compared to Magics..We manufactured the parts sample, the result showed that the support generationa software realized the intended design function.