Global-optimization-based model decomposition for support-free multi-DOF 3D printing

In 3D printing, using supporting materials as few as possible is critical for efficiency and material saving. Although both model partition methods and 3D printers with multi-DOF(degree of freedom) have been developed independently to tackle the problem, only a few existing approaches combined partition methods with multi-DOF printers. We present a global-optimization-based model decomposition method for multi-DOF 3D printers to achieve consistent printing with the least supporting materials. We solve the minimization of the surface area that need supporting where the printing sequence is determined inherently by global single-objective optimization. We first describe the printing constraints for using a multi-DOF 3D printer, then propose an optimization framework that meets the constraints. Experiments show the merits of our method.