From 3D Models to 3D Prints: an Overview of the Processing Pipeline <s> Cost <s> As more choices of materials and build processes become available in layered manufacturing (LM), it is increasingly important to identify fundamental problems that underlie the entire field. Determination of best build orientation and minimizing build cost of a part are two such issues that must be considered in any LM process. By decoupling the solution to these problems from a specific LM technology, not only can the solution be applied to a variety of processes, but more realistic cost comparisons of parts built on different machines become possible. <s> BIB001 </s> From 3D Models to 3D Prints: an Overview of the Processing Pipeline <s> Cost <s> Rapid prototyping (RP) machines reduce the lead time and cost of new products by automating the prototype manufacturing phase of the product development process. However, it is necessary for operators to orientate the prototype correctly in the RP machine to obtain the best trade-off between time, cost, and accuracy. The purpose of this work is to produce a decision-support tool to help RP users in this task. The tool is aimed at stereolithography which is the most widely adopted RP technology, The tool is a feature-based system produced using an object-orientated programming language and a solid modelling CAD environment. Cost, time, problematic features, optimally orientated features, overhanging area, and support volume are considered when recommending a build direction to the user. Three sample parts were used to illustrate the performance of the system. The system yielded the best surface finish and correctly highlighted several problem features. <s> BIB002 </s> From 3D Models to 3D Prints: an Overview of the Processing Pipeline <s> Cost <s> The ability to evaluate and determine the best part building orientation for different rapid prototyping (RP) processes is important for building a satisfactory part/prototype within the limits of manufacturing time and building cost. It is also an essential step towards the identification of the most suitable RP process with a given RP application. This paper discusses the selection of building direction for four RP processes, namely stereolithography (SL), selective laser sintering (SLS), fusion deposition modelling (FDM) and laminated object manufacturing (LOM). Main differences in the four processes are first examined with emphasis on the effects of these differences with regard to the building inaccuracy, the surface finish, the manufacturing time and cost. An optimal orientation algorithm is demonstrated on a part considered for processing with one of the four RP processes. The influence of the process characteristics on the selection of appropriate orientation with different RP processes is illustrated in the example. <s> BIB003
In industrial environments it is quite important to keep the production cost as low as possible. The Generic Cost Model BIB001 puts together all the variables that control the production cost for a single object, and is designed to be general enough to embrace any layered manufacturing process. Similar cost models have been proposed in   TPR04, BIB002 BIB003 . The typical cost model is defined as the sum of three major components: pre-build, build, and post-processing.