An assessment of data formats for layered manufacturing

Layered manufacturing (LM) is an emerging technology for fabricating parts, layer by layer. This technique offers several advantages over conventional manufacturing. The data representation and exchange issues in LM are crucial, and currently the STL format is used as an industry standard. In this paper, we consider 3-D and slice data formats in LM and analyse their strengths and weaknesses. We perform an in-depth analysis of the STL format and comment on the perceived need for its replacement. We also propose metrics for the evaluation of the 3-D and slice formats and compare them. The study reported in this paper can provide guidelines for the development of new representations and formats for use in LM. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.