Research on Cell Division and Slicing Algorithm of Large-Scale STL Model

• 1、School of Information and Control Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology,Xuzhou 221000
• 2、School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116

Abstract：3D printing technology can realize the transformation from digital model to physical model. However, due to the limitation of the working volume of the printer, the maximum size of the single printing is still limited. For large size models, they need to be segmented, stacked, packaged and printed. In this paper, the segmentation and slicing algorithm of large-scale STL Model is studied to optimize the large size model processing. First, a three-dimensional space is created for storing the STL model. The characteristic information of model is analyzed and extracted. The model is divided into cells according to the processing scope of 3D printers. Then, the triangular faces in each cell are sliced directly. The closed contour is directly used to generate the printing layer. The open contour is closed by pruning and mapping of the cell boundary, and then the closed contour is used to generates the printing layer. Finally, the printing layers of each cell model can be obtained. the 3D printing of large size model can be completed by using multi-nozzle partition printing or multiple printing with single nozzle. The experimental results of typical model segmentation and printing show that this algorithm can be used to effectively segment and slice the STL model, especially for the large-size STL model. This research work can simplify the data processing flow of large-scale 3D printing.

Keywords： mechanical manufacturing and automation 3d printing STL model segmentation slicing algorithm cell division