3D Printing Complex Structures Using Modeling and Simulation

This paper describes an open source parallel simulation framework capable of simulating large-scale granular and multi-body dynamics problems. This framework, called Chrono::Parallel, builds upon the modeling capabilities of Chrono::Engine, another open source simulation package, and leverages parallel data structures to enable scalable simulation of large problems. Chrono::Parallel is somewhat unique in that it was designed from the ground up to leverage parallel data structures and algorithms so that it scales across a wide range of computer architectures and yet has a rich modeling capability for simulating many different types of problems. The modeling capabilities of Chrono::Parallel will be demonstrated in the context of additive manufacturing and 3D printing by modeling the Selective Layer Sintering layering process and simulating large complex interlocking structures which require compression and folding to fit into a 3D printer's build volume.