快速成型技術采用離散/堆積成型原理，根據三維CAD模型，對于不同的工藝要求，按一定厚度進行分層，將三維數字模型變成厚度很薄的二維平面模型。再將數據進行一定的處理，加入加工參數，產生數控代碼，在數控系統控制下以平面加工方式連續加工出每個薄層，并使之粘結而成形。實際上就是基于“生長”或“添加”材料原理一層一層地離散疊加，從底頂完成零件的制作過程。快速成型有很多種工藝方法，但所有的快速成型工藝方法都是一層一層地制造零件，所不同的是每種方法所用的材料不同，制造每一層添加材料的方法不同。

Rapid prototyping technology adopts the principle of discrete/stacked molding. Based on the three-dimensional CAD model, for different process requirements, it is layered according to a certain thickness, transforming the three-dimensional digital model into a two-dimensional flat model with very thin thickness. Further process the data, add machining parameters, generate CNC codes, and continuously process each thin layer in a flat machining manner under the control of the CNC system, and make it bond and form. In fact, it is based on the principle of "growth" or "addition" of materials, layer by layer discrete stacking, completing the manufacturing process of parts from bottom to top. There are many process methods for rapid prototyping, but all of them involve manufacturing parts layer by layer. The difference is that each method uses different materials and the method of adding materials to each layer is different.

快速成型的工藝過程原理如下

The process principle of rapid prototyping is as follows

三維模型的構造:在三維CAD設計軟件中獲得描述該零件的CAD文件。一般快速成型支持的文件輸出格式為STL模型，即對實體曲面做近似的所謂面型化(Tessellation)處理，是用平面三角形面片近似模型表面。以簡化CAD模型的數據格式。便于后續的分層處理。由于它在數據處理上較簡單，而且與CAD系統無關，所以很快發展為快速成型制造領域中CAD系統與快速成型機之間數據交換的標準，每個三角面片用四個數據項表示。即三個頂點坐標和一個法向矢量，整個CAD模型就是這樣一個矢量的集合。在一般的軟件系統中可以通過調整輸出精度控制參數，減小曲面近似處理誤差。如Pre/1E軟件是通過選定弦高值(ch-chordheight)作為逼近的精度參數。

Construction of 3D model: Obtain the CAD file describing the part in the 3D CAD design software. The file output format supported by general rapid prototyping is STL model, which approximates the solid surface through the so-called Tessellation process, using planar triangular patches to approximate the model surface. To simplify the data format of CAD models. Facilitate subsequent hierarchical processing. Due to its simplicity in data processing and independence from CAD systems, it quickly developed into a standard for data exchange between CAD systems and rapid prototyping machines in the field of rapid prototyping manufacturing, with each triangular surface represented by four data items. The entire CAD model is a collection of three vertex coordinates and a normal vector. In general software systems, surface approximation processing errors can be reduced by adjusting the output accuracy control parameters. Pre/1E software uses the selected chord height as the accuracy parameter for approximation.

三維模型的離散處理:在選定了制作(堆積)方向后，通過專用的分層程序將三維實體模型(一般為STL模型)進行一維離散，即沿制作方向分層切片處理，獲取每一薄層片截面輪廓及實體信息。分層的厚度就是成型時堆積的單層厚度。由于分層破壞了切片方向CAD模型表面的連續性，不可避免地丟失了模型的一些信息，導致零件尺寸及形狀誤差的產生。切片層的厚度直接影響零件的表面粗糙度和整個零件的型面精度，每一層面的輪廓信息都是由一系列交點順序連成的折線段構成。所以，分層后所得到的模型輪廓已經是近似的，層與層之間的輪廓信息已經丟失，層厚越大丟失的信息越多，導致在成型過程中產生了型面誤差。

Discretization processing of 3D models: After selecting the production (stacking) direction, the 3D solid model (usually STL model) is discretized in one dimension through a dedicated layering program, that is, slicing along the production direction to obtain the cross-sectional profile and solid information of each thin layer. The thickness of the layers is the thickness of the single layer stacked during molding. Due to layering, the continuity of the CAD model surface in the slicing direction is disrupted, inevitably losing some information of the model, resulting in errors in part size and shape. The thickness of the slicing layer directly affects the surface roughness of the part and the overall surface accuracy of the part. The contour information of each layer is composed of a series of intersection points connected by a sequence of folded line segments. So, the model contour obtained after layering is already approximate, and the contour information between layers has been lost. The thicker the layer, the more information is lost, resulting in surface errors during the forming process.