TY - GEN
T1 - CAD-Integrated cost estimation and build orientation optimization to support design for metal additive manufacturing
AU - Barclift, Michael
AU - Armstrong, Andrew
AU - Simpson, Timothy W.
AU - Joshi, Sanjay B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2017 ASME.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Cost estimation techniques for Additive Manufacturing (AM) have limited synchronization with the metadata of 3D CAD models. This paper proposes a method for estimating AM build costs through a commercial 3D solid modeling program. Using an application programming interface (API), part volume and surface data is queried from the CAD model and used to generate internal and external support structures as solid-body features. The queried data along with manipulation of the part's build orientation allows users to estimate build time, feedstock requirements, and optimize parts for AM production while they are being designed in a CAD program. A case study is presented with a macro programmed using the SolidWorks API with costing for a metal 3D-printed automotive component. Results reveal that an imprecise support angle can under-predict support volume by 34% and build time by 20%. Orientation and insufficient build volume packing can increase powder depreciation costs by nearly twice the material costs.
AB - Cost estimation techniques for Additive Manufacturing (AM) have limited synchronization with the metadata of 3D CAD models. This paper proposes a method for estimating AM build costs through a commercial 3D solid modeling program. Using an application programming interface (API), part volume and surface data is queried from the CAD model and used to generate internal and external support structures as solid-body features. The queried data along with manipulation of the part's build orientation allows users to estimate build time, feedstock requirements, and optimize parts for AM production while they are being designed in a CAD program. A case study is presented with a macro programmed using the SolidWorks API with costing for a metal 3D-printed automotive component. Results reveal that an imprecise support angle can under-predict support volume by 34% and build time by 20%. Orientation and insufficient build volume packing can increase powder depreciation costs by nearly twice the material costs.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034777549&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1115/DETC2017-68376
DO - 10.1115/DETC2017-68376
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85034777549
T3 - Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
BT - 43rd Design Automation Conference
PB - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
T2 - ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2017
Y2 - 6 August 2017 through 9 August 2017
ER -