Parametric modeling and compensation of layer manufacturing machines

Layer manufacturing machines are affected, the same way as traditional manufacturing processes, by systematic errors [1]. This lack of precision and poor dimensional accuracy can be reduced by software compensation techniques. This paper proposes a parametric error compensation technique based on pattern artifacts. This technique is verified on an Objet 350V 3D printer. To begin, these parametric techniques require the development of the machine's kinematic model [2]. The data acquisition is performed with a CMM and a self-centering technique to measure conical sockets manufactured in the faces of pattern artifacts. After manufacturing various test patterns, with an without compensation, the achieved results are close to 80% reduction in mean error.