Short review of nonplanar fused deposition modeling printing

Abstract

As one of the additive manufacturing (AM) methods, fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology is widely adopted but involves some limitations in lacking surface quality and mechanical properties due to the use of only planar layers. This review will explore the novel FDM approach, curved layer FDM (CLFDM) where a nonplanar slicing technique is introduced to improve on these shortcomings. Recently, this technique has gained more and more traction in the industry and among consumers owing to not only its great potential to overcome several manufacturing limitations of conventional FDM method such as the “staircase effect” and poor bonding strength of curved surfaces or shells but also enhanced mechanical properties of CLFDM printed parts. The present review mainly focuses on the toolpath generation, process adaptations, mechanical properties of the printed part, and novel applications in the CLFDM method.