FILE FORMAT SELECTION FOR EFFICIENT DIGITAL PROCESS CHAINS IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Abstract

Selecting a suitable file format for data exchange in additive manufacturing is fundamental when designing these digital process chains. Within the scope of this investigation, alternatives to the de-facto industry standard STL are to be found to overcome the disadvantages of the STL-based digital process chain. Therefore, suitable file formats are identified by conducting literature and market research and evaluated regarding their suitability to support a continuous digital process chain. In addition, typical use cases in additive manufacturing are defined, and their requirements for a file format for data exchange are derived. Finally, for each use case defined, recommended and suitable file formats are proposed.