STEP-BASED PROCESS INFORMATION MODELS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: APPLICATION TO FUSED DEPOSITION MODELLING

Abstract

The implementation of AM digital thread mainly depends on modelling data and process, and the usage of standards considering all activities related to AM. In this paper, we firstly propose a fundamental procedure for specifying the digital thread in fused deposition modelling (FDM), including process concepts, related standards, model representation and model evaluation from part design information to manufacturing data. STEP-based process data models focusing on application reference model (ARM) and application activity model (AAM) are proposed to represent data transfer. In addition, process data model defines deposition process, process plan activity, deposition parameter, FDM requirement, specification, and FDM material, and redefines application entities and deposition operations, including 2.5D manufacturing layer, print header, FDM technology, deposition strategies, FDM functions and head path. Finally, Process data model needs to be evaluated to assess a conformance testing for verification and validation of these manufacturing data. Keywords: STEP, Process Information Model, Process Planning, Additive Manufacturing, Fused Deposition Modelling.