Most additive manufacturing (AM) processes are layer-based with three linear motions in the X, Y, and Z axes. However, there are drawbacks associated with such limited motions, e.g., nonconformal material properties, stair-stepping effect, and limitations on building-around-inserts. Such drawbacks will limit AM to be used in more general applications. To enable 6-axis motions between a tool and a work piece, we investigated a Stewart mechanism and the feasibility of developing a low-cost 3D printer for the multidirectional fused deposition modeling (FDM) process. The technical challenges in developing such an AM system are discussed including the hardware design, motion planning and modeling, platform constraint checking, tool motion simulation, and platform calibration. Several test cases are performed to illustrate the capability of the developed multidirectional AM system. A discussion of future development on multidirectional AM systems is also given.
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April 2015
Research-Article
Development of a Low-Cost Parallel Kinematic Machine for Multidirectional Additive Manufacturing
Xuan Song,
Xuan Song
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial
and Systems Engineering,
and Systems Engineering,
University of Southern California
,Los Angeles, CA 90089
Search for other works by this author on:
Yayue Pan,
Yayue Pan
Department of Mechanical
and Industrial Engineering,
and Industrial Engineering,
University of Illinois at Chicago
,Chicago, IL 60607
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Yong Chen
Yong Chen
1
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial
and Systems Engineering,
e-mail: yongchen@usc.edu
and Systems Engineering,
University of Southern California
,Los Angeles, CA 90089
e-mail: yongchen@usc.edu
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Xuan Song
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial
and Systems Engineering,
and Systems Engineering,
University of Southern California
,Los Angeles, CA 90089
Yayue Pan
Department of Mechanical
and Industrial Engineering,
and Industrial Engineering,
University of Illinois at Chicago
,Chicago, IL 60607
Yong Chen
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial
and Systems Engineering,
e-mail: yongchen@usc.edu
and Systems Engineering,
University of Southern California
,Los Angeles, CA 90089
e-mail: yongchen@usc.edu
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Manufacturing Engineering Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. Manuscript received April 15, 2014; final manuscript received October 14, 2014; published online December 12, 2014. Assoc. Editor: David L. Bourell.
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. Apr 2015, 137(2): 021005 (13 pages)
Published Online: April 1, 2015
Article history
Received:
April 15, 2014
Revision Received:
October 14, 2014
Online:
December 12, 2014
Citation
Song, X., Pan, Y., and Chen, Y. (April 1, 2015). "Development of a Low-Cost Parallel Kinematic Machine for Multidirectional Additive Manufacturing." ASME. J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. April 2015; 137(2): 021005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028897
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