This paper presents a learning based planner for computing optimized 3D printing toolpaths on prescribed graphs, the challenges of which include the varying graph structures on different models and the large scale of nodes and edges on a graph. The planner can cover different 3D printing applications by defining their corresponding reward functions and state spaces. Toolpath generation problems in wire-frame printing, continuous fiber printing, and metallic printing are selected here to demonstrate generality. The resultant toolpaths have been applied in physical experiments to verify the performance of the planner. By this planner, wire-frame models with up to 4.2k struts can be successfully printed and up to 93.3% of sharp turns on continuous fiber toolpaths can be avoided.
Platform: Windows 10/11
Environment: python 3.9 + pyTorch 1.12
Package: numpy<2 + matplotlib + networkx + scipy
Step 1: Open a terminal and type python main.py --model MODEL (eg. python main.py --model Bunny_wireframe). We provide over 10 initial models corresponding to different printing modes (CCF, wireframe and metal). Type python main.py --help to check all the models we provide.
Step 2: Change the MODEL to your model. Format: Model name_Printing mode.
Input file formats:
The input txt files are under the data folder:
Number of nodes in the input graph:
Three-dimensional coordinates of nodes: X Y Z.
Number of edges in the input graph:
The corresponding node indexes on each edge: head index, tail index.
Step 3: Change the checkpoint. You can use the pre-trained models in the checkpoint folder (which is automatically called by the program, default to wireframe models), or you can delete the pre-trained checkpoint and directly start training (program automatically stores new checkpoints). When you change the printing mode, such as switching from the wireframe model to the CCF model, you need to delete the checkpoint files and retrain because different printing modes have different rewards.
Step 4: Enter to start the main.py.
Step 5: Wait for the progress bar to reach the end and finish post-processing. Check the figure folder to see the process and final generated graph.
Step 6: Finally you get the output file, which is divided into results (waypoint information) and outputs (Output to the printer).
Output file formats:
The result txt files are under the results folder:
Index of nodes in printing order: first node, second node, ... , final node.
The output txt files are under the outputs folder:
Three-dimensional coordinates of nodes: X Y Z , and printing normal: nx ny nz.
