Robotic Additive Manufacturing with non-planar slicing

• Grant number: 25/25352-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2026
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Sidney Bruce Shiki
• Grantee: Arthur Mendes Mazzei
• Supervisor: Roberto Raffaeli
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena (UNIMORE), Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/03087-4 - Development of a slicing post-processing algorithm for 3D printing using a 6-axis robotic manipulator, BP.IC

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing has been growing steadily along with the evolution of Industry 4.0. With its new technologies and capabilities, new limitations also arise, possibly preventing the production and/or handling of certain parts or materials.Advanced slicing techniques enable significant advancements in this regard. With non-planar slicing, 3D prints are improved, as they mitigate the need for support structures, avoiding the staircase effect on parts. By using such methods, the production, whether singular or mass, of parts becomes more efficient, as the time spent on the processes decreases, and at the same time, the quality of the final product is superior, due to an increase in printing precision.The Yaskawa robotic arm, present in the laboratories of the Federal University of São Carlos, has 6 degrees of freedom, however, it cannot reach its full capacity due to some limitations. The national scientific initiation project aims to potentiate the use of the robot, and, with the BEPE project (Bolsa de Estágio de Pesquisa no Exterior), this potentiation will be significantly improved.With the help of Prof. Dr. Roberto Raffaeli, who has exceptional expertise in the field of additive manufacturing, particularly in manufacturing with the use of metals and advanced slicing methods, and with the experience acquired with the handling of Fanuc, Kuka and ABB robots, present in the laboratory of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, it will be possible to implement important additions to the program developed in the national project, which will allow better use of the Yaskawa manipulator. (AU)