Circularity Compensation by CAD Modeling in Rapid Prototyping of Cylindrical Parts

This work presents an approach to error compensation in rapid prototyping of parts having circular geometries. The error compensation is carried out by correcting the circular geometry deviations in the CAD model, before sending it to the 3D printer. The experimental work was performed by manufacturing a standard part having cylinders using rapid prototyping. A first part was designed in Catia having as variables the diameter, the height and the inclination angle, settled at three levels each. Manufacturing took place with a STL file and ABS polymeric material and the part was then measured to determine the errors in diameter, height and angle, together with the circularity deviations. A revised CAD model was designed with corrections in circularity and a new part was manufactured and measured. A second part was produced extending to diameters ranging from 10 to 90 mm. Circularity deviations were determined and error compensation was applied in the redesigned part with a confirmation experiment applied. The error correction for circularity, applied over the CAD model, proved successful in conical parts of dimensions from 10 to 90 mm in diameter.