Support Generation for Fused Deposition Modeling

Abstract

With the growth of the use of Rapid Prototyping (RP) systems, there has been a
\ncorresponding growth in the complexity of parts expected from the various RP processes. To
\nmeet the demand for increasingly more intricate and detailed prototypes, the technology has
\nmatured and improved, allowing RP users to build these parts faster, better and with a variety of
\nmaterials.
\nStratasys Inc.'s Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM ®) system is one of the leading
\nprototyping systems available in the market today. Recent enhancements in electro-mechanical
\ncontrol of the machine head have improved the viability of FDM as a system for manufacturing
\ncomplex prototypes. The FDM-1600 system can now also create detailed parts using ABS, a
\nwidely used plastic in the automotive and other industries. In addition, we have further reduced
\nthe lead time (preprocessing or operator time) in the product design cycle with the inclusion of an
\nautomatic support generation module in Stratasys' proprietary QuickSlice® software product.
\nQuickSlice processes STL data to generate machine code to drive the FDM system.