Power Tool Base Removal Formulas

Cycle Time = Process Time * Adjustment Factor

Cycle time is the product of the following:

• Process time: this is the sum of the process times for each support structure that is in contact with the build platform (see formula).

• Adjustment factor (specified by the cost model variable cycleTimeAdjustmentFactor). This factor is 1 in aPriori starting point VPEs. VPE administrators can modify cycleTimeAdjustmentFactor in order to adjust cycle times across processes within the current VPE.

Process Time per Support Structure = Positioning Time + Removal Time

Process time per structure is the sum of the following:

• Positioning time: this is the time spent positioning the tool prior to disconnecting the bottom of the support structure. Each time is specified by the cost model variable handBreakoffPositioningTime (3 seconds in starting point VPEs).

• Removal time: depends on the area of contact between the support structure and the build plate (see formula).

Removal Time = Support Contact Area / Breakoff Rate

Removal time depends on the following:

• Breakoff rate: area per unit time, specified by the machine property Cutting Rate. If the property is not specified for the current machine, the breakoff rate is given by the cost model variable handBreakoffRate (10mm2/sec in starting point VPEs).

• Support contact area: this is the surface area of the region of contact between the support structure and the build plate, which is the value of the geometric properties Bottom Part Contact Area. (Regions of contact between the support structure and the part are handled by the Breakoff process.)