3D Printing: Graph-based toolpath optimization

In this video, I am introducing a graph-based toolpath optimization method designed to significantly reduce material waste and print time for single-nozzle, multi-color 3D printing. By moving away from traditional layer-wise fabrication and treating material regions as nodes in a dependency graph, we can implement "layer batching". This allows the printer to process multiple layers of the same color before switching the material, significantly reducing the number of tool changes.

🔗 Resources & Further Reading:
Read the full story on Medium:   / apetsiuk  
Follow the GitHub: https://github.com/apetsiuk/PrusaSlicer — The project is under active development
Watch Part 1 (Previous Video):    • Regular vs ITC Slicing in Multicolor 3D Pr...  
Academic Paper: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4655383 https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-01-2024-0050

What’s Covered in This Video:
The Problem: Why traditional slicing leads to inefficient "zig-zag" tool changes and oversized wipe towers?
The Solution: Representing a 3D model as a dependency graph and using random jumps to find the most efficient printing path.
Real-World Results: A side-by-side comparison showing a reduction from 28 to 15 tool changes on a sample model.
Software Compatibility: This method is compatible with Slic3r-based software, including PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, SuperSlicer, and Bambu Studio.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to Tool Change Optimization
2:25 - The Concept: Layers vs. Independent Regions
6:00 - Creating a Dependency Graph
9:25 - Traditional vs. Batched Slicing
14:00 - Optimizing the Fabrication Path
15:03 - Potential Drawbacks & Aesthetic Considerations
15:42 - Conclusion & Final Results

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