A Design Method for SLM-Parts Using Internal Structures in an Extended Design Space

Abstract

Additive manufacturing processes, initially only reserved for the manufacturing of prototypes, now allow the manufacturing of high-value func- tional products with a wide range of materials. These processes can considerably change the process chain organization and therefore are growing interest in both academics and industrials. Despite these developments in this field, many prob- lems remain on current digital chain that uses old format such as STL and G-code. A solution to challenge this issue is the development of a new digital chain based on the STEP-NC standard (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data compliant Numerical Control). This paper intends to propose a methodology for the integration of additive manufacturing to a new STEP-NC model. In order to il- lustrate this model’s possibilities a STEP-NC Platform for Advanced Additive Manufacturing is presented. Finally the integration of this platform in a multi- process context and satisfying Industry 4.0 requirements is highlighted as perspec- tive. Key