System development for the five-axis extrusion of a photopolymer
Date
2020-11-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The development of a novel method of additive manufacturing involving the support-free extrusion of a photopolymer is discussed. The objectives of the paper are the presentation of mechanical and electrical hardware developments for a freeform additive manufacturing system, a discussion of the process developments that have taken place, and the presentation of the results from tests used to validate improvements to the system. Developments include the replacement of the UV light source with lasers, and the implementation of collision avoidance algorithms. The results include a significant increase in the speed of the extrusion process, and an improved toolpath viability achieved by the implementation of the collision avoidance algorithms.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Die ontwikkeling van ʼn nuwe toevoegingsvervaardigingmetode vir die ondersteuninglose ekstrusie van ʼn fotopolimeer word bespreek. Die doel is om die meganiese en elektroniese hardeware vir die vormvrye toevoegingsvervaardigingstelsel aan te bied, om die ontwikkeling daarvan te bespreek, en om toetsresultate, wat die verbeteringe valideer, voor te hou. Die ontwikkeling sluit die vervanging van die ultravioletligbron met lasers, en die skepping van algoritmes om botsings te vermy, in. Die resultate dui op ʼn noemenswaardige toename in die spoed van die uitpersingsproses en ʼn verbeterde werktuigroete deur die toepassing van die botsingvermyding algoritme.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Die ontwikkeling van ʼn nuwe toevoegingsvervaardigingmetode vir die ondersteuninglose ekstrusie van ʼn fotopolimeer word bespreek. Die doel is om die meganiese en elektroniese hardeware vir die vormvrye toevoegingsvervaardigingstelsel aan te bied, om die ontwikkeling daarvan te bespreek, en om toetsresultate, wat die verbeteringe valideer, voor te hou. Die ontwikkeling sluit die vervanging van die ultravioletligbron met lasers, en die skepping van algoritmes om botsings te vermy, in. Die resultate dui op ʼn noemenswaardige toename in die spoed van die uitpersingsproses en ʼn verbeterde werktuigroete deur die toepassing van die botsingvermyding algoritme.
Description
CITATION: Kirkman, D. M., Van Der Merwe, A. F. & Campbell, I. 2020. System development for the five-axis extrusion of a photopolymer. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 31(3):230-241, doi:10.7166/31-3-2448.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Photopolymer, Photopolymers, Additive manufacturing, Production engineering, Extrusion process
Citation
Kirkman, D. M., Van Der Merwe, A. F. & Campbell, I. 2020. System development for the five-axis extrusion of a photopolymer. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 31(3):230-241, doi:10.7166/31-3-2448