Christian -
The ModelMaker machines from Sanders Prototype can (and do) build models
with multiple slice thicknesses. We have offered variable slicing in our
ModelWorks software for over a year. Users manually set which slice
thickness is to be used in different parts of the model. As a
side-effect, you can also use the same slice thickness but different
configurations (build parameters) in differents parts of a model, such
as on downward-facing surfaces and upward-facing surfaces.
Here are some very rough numbers. Most parts (50-75%) are built with
only 1 slice thickness. For example, jewelry parts tend to be have an
equal level of detail over the entire part. Of the remaining parts, most
of these have a clearly-defined "rough" section, such as a base, that is
built with a large slice thickness, and a detailed area where a thinner
slice thickness is used. Sometimes parts are divided into 3 or 4
sections, which alternate between 2 or 3 slice thicknesses. Using more
than 5 sections, and/or more than 3 different slice thicknesses is very
unusual.
Irene Quinlan
Principal Software Engineer
Sanders Prototype, Inc.
Christian Menn wrote:
>
> Hallo everybody,
>
> I am a math student from Germany and I'm working at the Research
> Center of Karlsruhe on an algorithm that is able to slice a
> .stl-representation adaptively. My idea is the following one:
>
> - Developping a function to determine the quality of a given
> layer-representation
> - Calculating an optimal layer represantion by using only a finite
> number of thicknesses with a generic algorithm. The thicknesses of
> these layers can be predefined by the user or be determined by the
> algorithm.
>
> My objective is to create the quality function in a way that is
> satisfying the needs of the users. That is why I'm asking you the
> following question:
>
> Are the machines that you use able to produce layers of varying
> thicknesses within one production process and do you apply this
> possibility?
>
> What are, in your opinion, the three most important aspects when
> creating a quality function for the whole object.
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Tue Jun 05 2001 - 22:53:29 EEST