Process build‐time estimator algorithm for laminated object manufacturing

A method for estimating the build‐time required by the laminated object manufacturing (LOM) process is presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm – taking into account the real process parameters and the information included in the part's STL‐file – performs a minimum manipulation of the file, and calculates total volume, total surface area and flat areas involved in fine cross‐hatching. A number of experiments performed verify the applicability of the algorithm in process build‐time estimation. The time prediction estimates are within 7.6 per cent of the real build‐times for the LOM process. It is believed that, through specific minor adjustments, the algorithm could well be employed in process build‐time estimation for similar rapid prototyping processes.