A Robotic Additive Manufacturing Process Simulation and Implementation

Abstract

Robotic Additive manufacturing (RAM) provides an opportunity to a new design concept in which the manufacturing constrain is released so that relatively large -scale and free-form AM construction is possible. This paper presents a RAM process simulation and implementation method. A virtual part with design geometry and building bead from Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology is presented in a simulation software platform. The RAM path and bead size can be tuned based on path, FDM equipment, such as robot model, extrusion head types, and other building parameters. Similarly, a Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) system is setup for cladding applications. Some of the research results from both FDM and WAAM are presented and discussed. Finally, related future work in this direction is proposed.