In this student project, you will help shape the next generation of simulation tools for additive manufacturing. You will work on an existing Python-based framework that translates G-code—the language of 3D printers—into finite-element meshes, a crucial step for accurately simulating the printing process and predicting material behavior.
The current tool was developed in a previous project and already supports Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printers such as Ultimaker machines. It even accounts for real machine characteristics like jerk and motion dynamics, allowing highly realistic simulations of the printing process. Figure 1 shows an example of a printed part and the corresponding finite-element mesh used to analyze material evolution during printing.
Your challenge is to take this tool further. You will focus on three exciting development directions:
Support for belt printers
Extend the framework to handle belt-based 3D printers, which enable continuous printing and require a fundamentally different interpretation of G-code.Performance and scalability
Improve the efficiency of the tool so it can handle larger prints and more complex geometries without sacrificing speed.User-friendly graphical interface
Design and implement a GUI that makes the tool accessible to a broader audience, including users without a strong programming background.
At the end of the project, your improved tool will be coupled to an in-house finite-element solver, enabling detailed, physics-based simulations of 3D printing processes. This project is ideal for students interested in Python programming, computational mechanics, and additive manufacturing, and offers the chance to contribute directly to ongoing cutting-edge research.
