Title: Role of build orientation in layered manufacturing: a review

Authors: Mohammad Taufik; Prashant K. Jain

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Discipline, PDPM Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing Jabalpur, Jabalpur-482005, Madhya Pradesh, India ' Mechanical Engineering Discipline, PDPM Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing Jabalpur, Jabalpur-482005, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract: Layered manufacturing, also called rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing is a revolutionary development in the field of manufacturing processes in last two decades. Unlike material removed from a stock in the machining process, layered manufacturing builds the solid volume from a CAD model by successively adding material layer by layer. Since parts are fabricated layer by layer, build orientation plays a critical role in the layered manufacturing process as it can improve part quality in terms of accuracy and surface finish, reduce the support volume required, support contact area and build time. It also affects the part strength and cost of manufacturing. This paper presents review of various strategies developed to decide the optimum part build orientation based on different criteria and related issues. This paper also discusses the effect of build orientation on fabricated parts and future directions to improve part quality by selecting suitable and feasible build orientation.

Keywords: additive manufacturing; layered manufacturing; build orientation; surface finish; support structures; volumetric error; dimensional accuracy; part strength; build time; rapid prototyping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2013.058637

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.27 No.1/2/3, pp.47 - 73

Received: 07 Mar 2013
Accepted: 13 Oct 2013
Published online: 29 Apr 2014 *

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