Data processing for additive fabricators

In the early years of rapid prototyping, additive fabricators were only considered as competition processes. With process improvements and better knowledge about the systems, users are selecting the most suitable process with a view on the actual part geometry and application. Therefore, a lot of service bureaux use different additive fabricators in parallel. Although the main data processing steps are similar for all additive fabricators, users work with different software tools. This paper discusses the different steps from CAD data up to the final control data of additive fabricators. Content of the examinations are data formats, slicing and new methods to control the processes. The examinations were verified with use of a stereolithography apparatus.