Research on the Rapid Slicing Algorithm Based on STL Topology Construction

Constructing the topology of STL file efficiently is a key factor to improve the efficiency of slicing algorithm. In this paper a topology construction algorithm based on Standard Template Library set containers and a rapid slicing algorithm are developed. The algorithm developed removes a large number of redundant vertices, and only calculates intersection per triangular facet with slice plane once, and attains another point of intersection directly from the adjacent relations. In addition, the algorithm can reduce the times of traversing and sorting for the triangular facets, and also the times of calculation of intersection in the slicing processes, which results in the simplification of the process of constructing the slice contour, consequently the efficiency of the slicing algorithm is improved.