Cross-sectional structural analysis for 3D printing optimization

Abstract

We propose a novel cross-sectional structural analysis technique that efficiently detects critical stress inside a 3D object. We slice the object into cross-sections and compute stress based on bending momentum equilibrium. Unlike traditional approaches based on finite element methods, our method does not require a volumetric mesh or solution of linear systems, enabling interactive analysis speed. Based on the stress analysis, the orientation of an object is optimized to increase mechanical strength when manufactured with 3D printing.

Cross section-based hollowing and structural enhancement

“…Xie et al [38] propose an accelerated analysis algorithm through locally updating stiffness matrix of FEM. Furthermore, Umetani et al [29] and Xu et al [39] analyze the key stress of the model based on bending momentum equilibrium which enables interactive analysis speed. In this work, the method proposed by Umetani et al [29] is used to detect structural weak and strong regions.…”

“…Furthermore, Umetani et al [29] and Xu et al [39] analyze the key stress of the model based on bending momentum equilibrium which enables interactive analysis speed. In this work, the method proposed by Umetani et al [29] is used to detect structural weak and strong regions. The weak regions are enhanced, and the strong regions are adaptively hollowed which is not considered in [29] and [39].…”

“…In this work, the method proposed by Umetani et al [29] is used to detect structural weak and strong regions. The weak regions are enhanced, and the strong regions are adaptively hollowed which is not considered in [29] and [39].…”

“…In this work, we first use cross section based structural analysis method which has been studied in [29], to detect structural problematic regions that should be enhanced, and strong regions that can be hollowed. Although this method can only give us an approximate detection results, but it is fast and the detected results is good enough for the proposed system.…”

“…Inspired by the structural analysis method presented in [29], we use bending momentum equilibrium to quickly detect weak and strong cross sections. The proposed system automatically enhances all structural weak cross sections, and adaptively hollows the structural strong cross sections, to achieve the minimal volume of the models, while constrained by a given structural strength, stability, printability, etc.…”