Skip to main content
SHARE
Publication

Fundamental Path Optimization Strategies for Extrusion-based Additive Manufacturing

Publication Type
Conference Paper
Book Title
Proceedings of the 35th Annual International SOLID FREEFORM FABRICATION SYMPOSIUM 2024
Publication Date
Page Numbers
1666 to 1688
Publisher Location
Austin, Texas, United States of America
Conference Name
Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
Conference Location
Austin, Texas, United States of America
Conference Sponsor
University of Texas
Conference Date
-

Extrusion-based additive manufacturing processes begin with a software program, called a slicer, that generates layer geometry and fits toolpaths to each layer to define where material is to be extruded or deposited. Before the toolpaths are output as g-code for the additive manufacturing system to execute, the toolpaths should be optimized. Many complex optimization approaches using graph theory, Chinese postman problem, and other complex mathematical models exist, but these approaches are rarely used in daily printing operations and are not available through common slicing programs such as Cura and PrusaSlicer. Instead, path planning and optimization typically revolves around simpler, fully automated approaches such as inside out and next closest. This paper will explore the fundamental optimization strategies for toolpath planning and document a new implementation, available via open-source slicing software, that allows for greater control of the path planning process.