Abstract: Toolpath generation for additive manufacturing systems involves operations on polygonal contours derived from a model for additively manufacturing a structure. One aspect involves modifying or creating a model to allow parts to be printed without starting and stopping the printing equipment by generating continuous toolpaths or toolpaths having a reduced number of isolated paths. Another aspect involves modifying a slicing engine to generate a continuous toolpath or toolpath having a reduced number of isolated paths based on a representation of an object to be additively manufactured. Another aspect involves selectively placing the gaps at alternating positions among the sliced layers to create a zippering effect.

Abstract: A system and method for improving additive manufacturing, including additive manufacturing toolpaths, is provided. The system and method includes a toolpath generator that obtains initial toolpaths of an object, identifies isolated paths in the toolpaths, and adds bridge connections between neighboring isolated paths in each layer to improve the toolpaths. The bridge connections facilitate the continuous and non-stop deposition of each layer according to improved toolpaths during additive manufacture, which can reduce total deposition time and improve the resultant additive manufacture.

Abstract: Toolpath generation for additive manufacturing systems involves operations on polygonal contours derived from a model for additively manufacturing a structure. One aspect involves modifying or creating a model to allow parts to be printed without starting and stopping the printing equipment by generating continuous toolpaths or toolpaths having a reduced number of isolated paths. Another aspect involves modifying a slicing engine to generate a continuous toolpath or toolpath having a reduced number of isolated paths based on a representation of an object to be additively manufactured. Another aspect involves selectively placing the gaps at alternating positions among the sliced layers to create a zippering effect.

Abstract: A system and method for improving additive manufacturing, including additive manufacturing toolpaths, is provided. The system and method includes a toolpath generator that obtains initial toolpaths of an object, identifies isolated paths in the toolpaths, and adds bridge connections between neighboring isolated paths in each layer to improve the toolpaths. The bridge connections facilitate the continuous and non-stop deposition of each layer according to improved toolpaths during additive manufacture, which can reduce total deposition time and improve the resultant additive manufacture.