Laboratorija za Rapid Prototyping i Reverse Engineering

A. Fajić, Dž. Tufekčić, A. Topčić, E. Mujić: "Rapid Prototyping data formats", 7th International Scientific Conference on Production Engineering DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNISATION OF PRODUCTION - RIM 2009, Tehnički fakultet Bihać i Društvo za robotiku Bosne i Hercegovine, Zbornik radova, format B5, stranice 1÷6 /6 stranica/, Kairo, Egipat, 26. septembar÷03. oktobar 2009. godine, ISBN 978-9958-624-29-2, COBISS.BH-ID 17540614 Apatact

Process of product design development is mainly performed using the computers and computer-aided-design (CAD). The progression from CAD to physical design requires building physical prototypes based on the computer model for validation of form, fit, and function. Rapid prototyping (RP) is a process that is capable of converting a 3D CAD design into a physical object by means of layer-by-layer powder, solid or liquid-based manufacturing methods. Unlike the previously available computer aided manufacturing process (CAM), which relies on numerically controlled tool paths, rapid prototyping builds a model from a series of horizontal cross sections. CAD files from different objects systems, which have different forms of inside presentations require standard interface to convey varied geometric descriptions from numerous CAD packages to Rapid prototyping (RP) systems. The STL (STereoLithography) format is the most commonly used interface for this purpose. However, with the development and application of the RP technology, the limitations of the STL format have become apparent. For most of RP systems the alternative is either to use other existing data formats or develop a special new RP formats. The objectives of these two approaches are to eliminate redundant information in STL files and improving the accuracy of models. This paper will discuss several existing interfaces including the STL file for the RP systems.