Generating sparse self-supporting wireframe models for 3D printing using mesh simplification

Abstract

Wireframe models are becoming a popular option in 3D printing. Generating sparse wireframe models using classic mesh simplification methods leads to models that require a lot of support structures in the layer-upon-layer additive process. In this paper we present a mesh simplification method that takes into account the overhang angle. Specifically, we propose a metric for selfsupportability. By combining this novel metric together with the classic error metrics for mesh simplification, our method generates sparse wireframe models that need much less supports. Moreover, the operations of vertex position optimization and edge flipping are used to further increase self-supportability of the wireframe models. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method on a number of 3D models.

High-performance simplification of triangular surfaces using a GPU

“…Because of the restrictions of graphical devices, meshes are not easy to render and manipulate [ 3 , 4 ]. Moreover, there is a tradeoff between the accuracy of a mesh and the processing time.…”

Fast Mesh Simplification Method for Three-Dimensional Geometric Models with Feature-Preserving Efficiency

“…Along with the development of high-resolution data acquisition techniques, such as three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning, 3D geometric models have become increasingly more complex [1][2][3][4]. However, such complex 3D geometric models are not always needed.…”

“…However, such complex 3D geometric models are not always needed. Due to the limitations in graphics hardware, these models are all difficult to interactively render, calculate, simulate, and analyze [2,3,[5][6][7][8]. In addition to improving the capacity of graphics hardware, it is essential to develop a highly efficient mesh simplification method to avoid excessive details of 3D geometric models [7,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…Mesh simplification is widely used in many industrial areas, such as engineering applications, 3D printing, and cultural heritage protection [3,16,17]. For engineering applications, in order to improve the efficiency in dynamically simulating complex CAD models, an efficient mesh simplification method is required.…”

Flexible Patterns for Soft 3D Printed Fabrications

“…Despite the adaptation of a soft printing mode, the quality of soft 3D printed objects is usually lower compared to similar rigid 3D prints. Furthermore, most studies focus on rigid 3D fabrications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. In this research, we closely examine soft 3D printing materials and created a comparison experiment to showcase our developed patterns.…”