Build orientation optimization problem in additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging type of production technology to create three-dimensional objects layer-by-layer directly from a 3D CAD model. AM is being extensively used by engineers and designers. Build orientation is a critical issue in AM since it is associated with the object accuracy, the number of supports required and the processing time to produce the object. Finding the best build orientation in the AM will reduced significantly the building costs and will improve the object accuracy. This paper presents an optimization approach to solve the part build orientation problem considering the staircase effect, support area characteristics and the build time. Two global optimization methods, the Electromagnetism-like and the Stretched Simulated Annealing algorithms, are used to study the optimal orientation of four models. Preliminary experiments show that both optimization methods can effectively solve the build orientation problem in AM, finding several global solutions.This work has been supported and developed under the FIBR3D project - Hybrid processes based on additive manufacturing of composites with long or short fibers reinforced thermoplastic matrix (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016414), supported by the Lisbon Regional Operational Programme 2020, under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This work was also supported by COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013.