A multi-material virtual prototyping system

Abstract

This paper proposes a virtual prototyping system for digital fabrication of multimaterial prototypes. It consists mainly of a topological hierarchy-sorting algorithm for processing slice contours, and a virtual simulation system for visualisation and optimisation of multi-material layered manufacturing (MMLM) processes. The topological hierarchysorting algorithm processes the hierarchy relationship of complex slice contours. It builds a parent-and-son list that defines the containment relationship of the slice contours, and subsequently arranges the contours in an appropriate sequence which facilitates optimisation of toolpath for MMLM by avoiding redundant movements. The virtual simulation system simulates MMLM processes and provides vivid visualisation of the resulting multi-material prototypes for quality analysis and optimisation of the processes.