An Improved Slicing Approach to Automatically Generate Outer-Loop and Inner-Loops of Parting Curves for Complex Tessellated Models in Mold Design

Abstract

An improved slicing algorithm that uses multiple sets of cutting planes to automatically determine parting curves for 3D parts is proposed. In this algorithm, the sets of cutting planes with their individual roles are simultaneously used to create the slicing profiles, and to extract the intersection points for all the outer and inner loops of the parting curves. The results show that the proposed parting curves overcome many problems inherent in current methods while also making the process fast and effective. The algorithm provides a highly effective solution for handling complicated models that contain free-form surfaces, and can be used by various downstream CAD/CAM systems for industrial mold design.