package open_vector_format

Get desktop application:
View/edit binary Protocol Buffers messages

axis aligned rectangular box in 2D defined by the x and y coordinates of the lower left (min) and upper right (max) corner

Used in: Job.JobMetaData, JobParameters, VectorBlock.VectorBlockMetaData, WorkPlane.WorkPlaneMetaData

• float x_min = 1

• float y_min = 2

• float x_max = 3

• float y_max = 4

BuildProcessorStrategy is a settings collection object for a build processor. This definition uses OpenVectorFormat definitions to save a collection of settings for a specific material that can be used to add parameters to OVF vector data based on the LPBF meta data of VectorBlock objects. For each meta data combination a process strategy and marking params can be stored. Handling parameter fallbacks is responsibility of the build processor.

• string build_processor_strategy_id = 1

• string material_id = 2

• string name = 3

• string material_name = 4

• repeated BuildProcessorStrategy.ParameterSet parameter_sets = 5

Used in: BuildProcessorStrategy

• optional VectorBlock.LPBFMetadata lpbf_meta_data = 1

• optional Part.ProcessStrategy process_strategy = 2

• optional MarkingParams marking_params = 3

Represents one single production job. May be used as a central (very) large object containing all information, or as a "shell" with no or incomplete WorkPlane information to break down object size.

• repeated WorkPlane work_planes = 1

• optional Job.JobMetaData job_meta_data = 2

• map<int32, MarkingParams> marking_params_map = 3

• map<int32, Part> parts_map = 4

• optional JobParameters job_parameters = 5

• int32 num_work_planes = 6

  Number of Layer (LPBF) /3DPatches (Structuring)

Metadata: Represents metadata related to the job object itself

Used in: Job

• int64 job_creation_time = 1

  jobCreationTime in UNIX time (number of seconds since January 1, 1970 12:00am UTC)

• uint64 version = 2

• string job_name = 3

• string author = 4

• string description = 5

• optional AxisAlignedBox2D bounds = 6

  2D axis aligned bounding box of all workplanes vector block coordinates

positions are 64bit values in bytes only Int64 and not UInt64 because the length of a filestream is given bei Int64 (long) in C#.

• int64 jobShellPosition = 1

• repeated int64 workPlanePositions = 2

Process parameters applying to the job as a whole

Used in: Job

• double preheating_temperatur_in_dg_c = 1

  setpoint temperature of a globally effective heating system (e.g. build chamber/substrate plate)

• repeated double shielding_gas_directions = 2

  vector of main direction of a shielding gas flow (xy or xyz)

• repeated double material_feed_directions = 3

  vector of main direction of a material feed (e.g. powder coater, powder feed, extrusion nozzle) (xy or xyz)

• repeated AxisAlignedBox2D scan_field_bounds = 5

  bounds of the scan fields associated with the respective laser_index found in vector blocks data

• map<string, Part.ProcessStrategy.ProprietaryParam> additional_parameters = 4

  map of additional proprietary parameters

Parameters controlling the tool (e.g. laser beam) behaviour

Used in: BuildProcessorStrategy.ParameterSet, Job

• float laser_power_in_w = 1

• float laser_speed_in_mm_per_s = 2

• float laser_focus_shift_in_mm = 3

• float point_exposure_time_in_us = 4

• float jump_speed_in_mm_s = 5

• float point_exposure_repetitions = 6

  gives the number of exposure cycles executed applies for points only, for movement distance and speed implicitly define this

• uint64 repetition_rate_in_hz = 7

  repition rate of the exposure cycle, e.g. pulses/bursts etc. per second 0 Hz is defined as continous wave (cw)

• uint64 laser_pulses_per_burst = 8

  for burst mode, number of pulses per burst 0 is defined as no burst mode pulses in the burst are reapeated with oscillator frequency, pulseDurationInFemtoseconds applies to each pulse

• uint64 pulseDurationInFemtoseconds = 9

  length of one pulse, defines the duty cycle together with repetitionRateInHz and laserPowerInW

• MarkingParams.MarkingMode marking_mode = 10

  marking mode switches between normal marking and skywriting modes

• MarkingParams.CornerBlendMode blend_mode = 28

• float jump_delay_in_us = 11

  Parameters for marking without Skywriting

• float laser_off_delay_in_us = 12

• float laser_on_delay_in_us = 13

• float mark_delay_in_us = 14

• float polygon_delay_in_us = 15

• float time_lag_in_us = 16

  Parameters for marking with Skywriting

• float laser_on_shift_in_us = 17

• float limit = 18

  limit angle to switch from polygon delay to skywriting [degrees]

• float n_prev_in_us = 19

• float n_post_in_us = 20

• float corner_tolerance = 29

  maximum allowed deviation from the setpoint mark path to optimize scanner dynamics by "cutting corners" Only applies in CornerBlendMode.SWIFT_BLENDING_MAXIMIZE_SPEED and Synonyms: radial tolerance

• float minimum_mark_speed = 30

  minimum mark speed to guaranty by scanner dynamics mark speed may be reduced down between laser_speed_in_mm_per_s and minimum_mark_speed when "cutting corners"

• float wob_frequency_in_hz = 21

  Parameters for marking with Wobble

• float wob_amp_long_in_mm = 22

• float wob_amp_trans_in_mm = 23

• MarkingParams.WobbleMode wobble_mode = 24

• optional PowerGradientParams powerGradient = 25

• string name = 26

  meta data: custom, human readable name of this marking parameter set

• int32 beam_shape_profile_nr = 27

  discrete beam shape profile number used to control beam shaping devices (e.g. nLight AFX) to switch between different beam shape profiles (e.g. from Gauss-shaped to donut-shaped)

Used in: MarkingParams

• LIMIT_ANGLE_POLYGON_DELAY = 0

  Uses the angle given by "limit" to choose between executing polygon delay or skywriting. When skywriting is not performed, a delay of length polygon_delay_in_us is inserted.

• SWIFT_BLENDING_CONSTANT_SPEED = 1

  Keeps the marking speed constant to the speed defined in laser_speed_in_mm_per_s. Then optimizes the accuracy to be as close to the setpoint geometry as scanner dynamics allow. If the corner_tolerance cannot be fulfilled, the behaviour depends on the skywriting mode. If skywriting is DYNAMIC_LOOKAHEAD, a skywriting motion is inserted. If skywriting mode is NO_SKY, a dynamics violation is triggered.

• SWIFT_BLENDING_MAXIMIZE_SPEED = 2

  Utilizes scanner dynamics lookahead to maximize the speed of the scanning process. Guaranties that the corner_tolerance is fulfilled. Maximizes the scanning speed possibly beyond the limits of minimum_mark_speed and laser_speed_in_mm_per_s. Does not insert sky writing-like motions, instead decelerates as needed on the trajectory. Ignores marking_mode.

• BEST_ACCURACY_MIN_MARK_SPEED = 3

  Utilizes scanner dynamics lookahead to maximize the accuracy of the scanning process. Guaranties that the minimum_mark_speed is fulfilled. If the corner_tolerance cannot be fulfilled, the behaviour depends on the skywriting mode. If skywriting is DYNAMIC_LOOKAHEAD, a skywriting motion is inserted. If skywriting mode is NO_SKY, a dynamics violation is triggered.

Used in: MarkingParams

• NO_SKY = 0

• SKY_1 = 1

  Skywriting modes 1-3

• SKY_2 = 2

• SKY_3 = 3

• SKYWRITING_LOOKAHEAD = 4

  Controls Sky Writing jerk-limited based on a lookahead simulation of scanner dynamics. manual skywriting params (n_prev_in_us, n_post_in_us, time_lag_in_us, laser_on_shift_in_us, limit, polygon_delay_in_us) are ignored Synonyms: BlendMode (ScanLab), ScanPack (Novanta)

Used in: MarkingParams

• NO_WOBBLE = 0

• ELLIPSE_WOBBLE = 1

  ellipse-shape wobble movement perpendicular to the current movement direction

• STANDING_EIGHT_WOBBLE = 2

  8-shape wobble movement perpendicular to the current movement direction

• LYING_EIGHT_WOBBLE = 3

  8-shape wobble movement parallel to the current movement direction

Part is a reference to a CAD 3D model instance in this Job. Instances in a job may differ in their position, orientation, process strategy, marking parameters or support structures, even if they are derived from the same parent part. Common parent parts of instances can be identified using the parent_part_name, if set.

Used in: Job

• string name = 1

• optional Part.GeometryInfo geometry_info = 2

• optional Part.Material material = 3

• optional Part.ProcessStrategy process_strategy = 4

  process strategy used for the in skin (volume) of the part

• optional Part.ProcessStrategy up_skin_process_strategy = 5

  process strategy used for the down skin of the part, if differing

• optional Part.ProcessStrategy down_skin_process_strategy = 6

  process strategy used for the up skin of the part, if differing

• repeated VectorBlock.LPBFMetadata exposure_order = 7

  meta data defining the exposure order that was used to order the vector blocks of this part the first item gets exposed first, e.g. exposure starts with downskin hatches, followed by inskin hatches two LPBFMetadata objects are added with PartArea set to VOLUME in both, SkinType set to DOWN_SKIN in first and IN_SKIN in second

• string parent_part_name = 8

  reference to the original CAD 3D model this instance was created from

Metadata related to the geometry of the part

Used in: Part

• double volume_in_mm3 = 1

  part volume in cubic millimeters

• double support_volume_in_mm3 = 2

  support volume in cubic millimeters

• double build_height_in_mm = 3

  height (layer) of the top slice in millimeters

• double surface_area_in_mm2 = 4

  surface area of the 3D model in square millimeters

• double projected_surface_in_mm2 = 5

  surface area projected on the biuld plate in square millimeters

Used in: Part

• uint64 id = 1

• string name = 2

Metadata: parameters the job preprocessing program (e.g. Slicer, CAM) used to create the vector data

universal, vendor independent parameters

Used in: BuildProcessorStrategy.ParameterSet, Part

• float rot_angle_in_deg = 1

  start rotation angle of scan patches or layers

• float increment_angle_in_deg = 2

  Angle increment of scan patches from layer to layer

• float shift_in_mm = 3

  Shift of patches in the pattern from layer to layer

• float extend_into_in_mm = 4

  Extension of patches in to each other. Synonym: overlap distance

• float pattern_hatch_length_in_mm = 13

  maximum length of hatches when applying a pattern. Values <= 0 result in no limitation. for stripes and checkerboard this controls the size of the groups/patches for single tracks (uni- or bidirectional) this does not apply

• ProcessStrategy.HatchingPattern hatching_pattern = 12

  pattern type of the hatches that fill the contours

• float layer_thickness_in_mm = 5

  thickness of a layer/workplane

• float hatch_distance_in_mm = 6

  distance between single material tracks

• float hatch_contour_distance_in_mm = 7

  distance between contour and filling

• float overhang_angle_in_deg = 8

  critical angle that is considered as overhang

• float contour_offset_in_mm = 9

  offset of the first contour relative to the computed contour of the geometry. often reffered to as "beam compensation" as well

• int32 number_of_contours = 10

  number of generated contours. If <= 0, there will only be hatches.

• float contour_distance_in_mm = 11

  distance inbetween multiple contour lines. Only takes effect if number_of_contours > 1.

• string name = 90

  meta data: custom, human readable name of this process strategy

• repeated ProcessStrategy.ProprietaryParam additional_parameters = 100

Used in: ProcessStrategy

• UNIDIRECTIONAL = 0

  single hatch lines that follow the same direction. Long jumps are executed back to the start after each line.

• BIDIRECTIONAL = 1

  single hatch lines that alternate directions with short jumps in between

• CHECKERBOARD = 2

  hatches are seperated into patches with perpendicular direction following a checkerboard pattern size of each patch is quadratic pattern_hatch_length_in_mm times pattern_hatch_length_in_mm patch overlap (size of area with two patches) is of size extend_into_in_mm

• STRIPES = 3

  hatches are seperated into patches ("stripes"), but opposed to checkerboard only in one direction perpendicular to the marking direction size of each patch is pattern_hatch_length_in_mm in marking direction, unrestricted perpendicular to the marking direction patch overlap (size of area with two patches) is of size extend_into_in_mm

• HEXAGON = 4

  hatches are seperated into patches ("hexagon") size of each sidelength is pattern_hatch_length_in_mm and the long and short diagonal is calculated from it patch overlap (size of area with two patches) is of size extend_into_in_mm

generic definition of proprietary parameters descriptor

Used in: JobParameters, ProcessStrategy

• string param_name = 1

• oneof parameter_value

  • double param_value = 2

  • string param_string = 4

  • bytes param_blob = 5

• string param_description = 3

Used in: MarkingParams

• float minPowerInW = 1

• float gradientInWPerS = 2

Used in: WorkPlane

• oneof vector_data

  • VectorBlock.LineSequence line_sequence = 1

  • VectorBlock.Hatches _hatches = 2

  • VectorBlock.PointSequence point_sequence = 3

  • VectorBlock.Arcs _arcs = 4

  • VectorBlock.Ellipses ellipses = 5

  • VectorBlock.LineSequence3D line_sequence_3d = 6

  • VectorBlock.Hatches3D hatches_3d = 7

  • VectorBlock.PointSequence3D point_sequence_3d = 8

  • VectorBlock.Arcs3D arcs_3d = 9

  • VectorBlock.ExposurePause exposure_pause = 10

  • VectorBlock.LineSequenceParaAdapt line_sequence_para_adapt = 11

  • VectorBlock.HatchesParaAdapt _hatchParaAdapt = 12

  • VectorBlock.CubicBezierHatches cubic_bezier_hatches = 13

  • VectorBlock.QuadraticBezierHatches quadratic_bezier_hatches = 14

  • VectorBlock.CubicBezierSpline cubic_bezier_spline = 15

  • VectorBlock.QuadraticBezierSpline quadratic_bezier_spline = 16

  • VectorBlock.CubicBezierHatches3D cubic_bezier_hatches_3d = 17

  • VectorBlock.QuadraticBezierHatches3D quadratic_bezier_hatches_3d = 18

  • VectorBlock.CubicBezierSpline3D cubic_bezier_spline_3d = 19

  • VectorBlock.QuadraticBezierSpline3D quadratic_bezier_spline_3d = 20

  • VectorBlock.SynchronizationBlock sync_block = 21

• int32 marking_params_key = 50

  key used in Job/markingParamsMap

• int32 laser_index = 53

  LaserIndex is used for assigning vectorBlocks to different actors, e.g. in multi scanner systems

• uint64 repeats = 54

  vetor blocks are executed in order once by default (repeats = 0), then repeated [repeats] times starting with the first vector again etc.

• optional VectorBlock.VectorBlockMetaData meta_data = 100

• oneof process_meta_data

  • VectorBlock.LPBFMetadata lpbf_metadata = 101

  • VectorBlock.MicroStructuringMetadata micro_structuring_metadata = 102

  • VectorBlock.PolishingMetadata polishing_metadata = 103

An arc is defined by a start point on the circle, defined in relative cartesian coordinates to the center, a center point and an arc angle (degrees). Positive angles mean clockwise, negative counter-clockwise rotation. Multiple same radius/angle arcs are defined with repeated center coordinates (x,y).

Used in: VectorBlock, Ellipses

• double angle = 1

• float start_dx = 2

• float start_dy = 3

• repeated float centers = 4

  len % 2 == 0, len >= 2

An arc3D (edge of a plate) is defined by a start point on the circle, defined in relative cartesian coordinates to the center, a center point and an arc angle (degrees). Positive angles mean clockwise, negative counter-clockwise rotation. Multiple same radius/angle arcs are defined with repeated center coordinates (x,y,z) for 3D.

Used in: VectorBlock

• double angle = 1

• float start_dx = 2

• float start_dy = 3

• float start_dz = 4

• repeated float centers = 5

  len % 3 == 0, len >= 3

Cubic Bézier segments in 2D. Each segment: (x0, y0, c1x, c1y, c2x, c2y, x1, y1) => 8 floats/segment. Pack N: [x0,y0,c1x,c1y,c2x,c2y,x1,y1, ...]

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float segments = 1

  len % 8 == 0, len >= 8

Cubic Bézier segments in 3D. Each segment: (x0, y0, z0, c1x, c1y, c1z, c2x, c2y, c2z, x1, y1, z1) => 12 floats/segment. Pack N: [x0,y0,z0,c1x,c1y,c1z,c2x,c2y,c2z,x1,y1,z1, ...]

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float segments = 1

  len % 12 == 0, len >= 12

Linked Cubic Bézier spline in 2D (continuous). start_control packs tuples (x_i, y_i, c1x_i, c1y_i, c2x_i, c2y_i) => 6 floats/tuple.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float start_control = 1

  len % 6 == 0, len >= 6

• float last_x = 2

• float last_y = 3

Linked Cubic Bézier spline in 3D (continuous). start_control packs (x_i, y_i, z_i, c1x_i, c1y_i, c1z_i, c2x_i, c2y_i, c2z_i) => 9 floats/tuple.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float start_control = 1

  len % 9 == 0, len >= 9

• float last_x = 2

• float last_y = 3

• float last_z = 4

An ellipse is defined like an arc, with additional parameters defining the ellipse shape: a/b length of ellipse half axis phi0 phase zero angle (start point of ellipse relative to end of a)

Used in: VectorBlock

• float a = 1

• float b = 2

• double phi0 = 3

• optional Arcs ellipses_arcs = 4

Pause the exposure procedure. This can be necessary e.g. for thermal reasons, or for syncing mulitple laser scanner units, preventing overlap or smoke interaction.

Used in: VectorBlock

• uint64 pause_in_us = 1

  static wait time in the exposure

Hatches: A hatch is a set of independent straight lines, each defined by one start and one end point (x,y) for 2D.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float points = 1

  len % 4 == 0, len >= 4

Hatches3D: A hatch is a set of independent straight lines, each defined by one start and one end point (x,y,z) for 3D.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float points = 1

  len % 6 == 0, len >= 6

A hatch divided into a line sequence with adaption parameter this vector block type saves significant amounts of vector block meta data compared to writing every hatch as its own LineSequenceParaAdapt block

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated LineSequenceParaAdapt hatchAsLinesequence = 1

ProcessMetaData for LPBF

Used in: BuildProcessorStrategy.ParameterSet, Part, VectorBlock

• PartArea part_area = 1

• LPBFMetadata.SkinType skin_type = 2

• LPBFMetadata.SkinCoreStrategyArea skin_core_strategy_area = 3

• StructureType structure_type = 4

• bool reexposure = 5

  states if this vector block is a reexposure of the area (true) or the first exposure (false)

Skin Core strategy uses two laser spots with different sizes for core (bigger spot) and outer hull (smaller spot) to increase productivity. Default value (also for not using the strategy) is OuterHull, using the small spot for the whole part.

Used in: LPBFMetadata

• OUTER_HULL = 0

• CORE = 1

• INBETWEEN_HULL = 2

SkinType defines if the vectors of this block belong to the parts surface in vertical direction InSkin (default), vectors are found on this position on previous and next layer DownSkin, no vectors in previous layer, exposure in powder bed Upskin, no vectors in next layer

Used in: LPBFMetadata

• IN_SKIN = 0

• DOWN_SKIN = 1

• UP_SKIN = 2

LineSequence: A lineSequence is defined by a set of vertex points (x,y), connected contiguously in the listed order by straight line segments. A closed lineSequence can also be called a polygon.

Used in: VectorBlock, WorkPlane.Patch

• repeated float points = 1

  len % 2 == 0, len >= 4

LineSequence3D: A lineSequence3D is defined by a set of vertex points (x,y,z) in 3D space, connected contiguously in the listed order by straight line segments. A closed lineSequence can also be called a polygon.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float points = 1

  len % 3 == 0, len >= 6

A LineSequence with additional adaption of one or more laser parameters along the vectors. Each point consists of (x,y,parameterValue1,parameterValue2...) for 2D. The parameter field defines which parameter values are contained inside points_with_paras. The count of the parameter field defines how many floats define parameters (and which) after x and y. Each parameterValue is the goal value that will be reached at the end of the vector, scaling linear along the vector. The goal gets priority and overwrites settings of the marking parameter set. All other values are still statically set as defined in the marking parameter set.

Used in: VectorBlock, HatchesParaAdapt

• repeated float points_with_paras = 1

  len % 3 == 0, len >= 3

• repeated LineSequenceParaAdapt.AdaptedParameter parameter = 2

Used in: LineSequenceParaAdapt

• LASER_POWER_IN_W = 0

• LASER_FOCUS_SHIFT_IN_MM = 1

• LASER_PULSE_LENGTH_IN_US = 2

• LASER_PULSE_REPITION_RATE_IN_HZ = 3

• LASER_SPEED_IN_MM_PER_S = 4

ProcessMetaData for MicroStructuring

Used in: VectorBlock

• PartArea part_area = 1

• StructureType structure_type = 2

PartArea defines if the vectors belong to a part surface in horizontal direction (in layer). Contours are borders of the part in the layer, volume (or core) is the area inbetween. Transition contours are special additional contour lines connecting volume and contour.

Used in: LPBFMetadata, MicroStructuringMetadata

• VOLUME = 0

  also called core or hatches

• CONTOUR = 1

• TRANSITION_CONTOUR = 2

PointSequence: A point sequence is a set of points, each marked for a fixed period of time. Each point consists of (x,y) for 2D.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float points = 1

  len % 2 == 0, len >= 2

PointSequence3D: A point sequence is a set of points, each marked for a fixed period of time. Each point consists of (x,y,z) for 3D.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float points = 1

  len % 3 == 0, len >= 3

ProcessMetaData for Polishing

Todo: Define

Used in: VectorBlock

(message has no fields)

Quadratic Bézier segments in 2D. Each segment: (x0, y0, cx, cy, x1, y1) => 6 floats/segment. Pack N: [x0,y0,cx,cy,x1,y1, x0,y0,cx,cy,x1,y1, ...]

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float segments = 1

  len % 6 == 0, len >= 6

Quadratic Bézier segments in 3D. Each segment: (x0, y0, z0, cx, cy, cz, x1, y1, z1) => 9 floats/segment. Pack N: [x0,y0,z0,cx,cy,cz,x1,y1,z1, x0,y0,z0,cx,cy,cz,x1,y1,z1, ...]

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float segments = 1

  len % 9 == 0, len >= 9

Linked Quadratic Bézier spline in 2D (continuous). start_control packs tuples (x_i, y_i, cx_i, cy_i) => 4 floats/tuple. The end of segment i is the start (x_{i+1},y_{i+1}); the last segment ends at (last_x,last_y).

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float start_control = 1

  len % 4 == 0, len >= 4

• float last_x = 2

• float last_y = 3

Linked Quadratic Bézier spline in 3D (continuous). start_control packs (x_i, y_i, z_i, cx_i, cy_i, cz_i) => 6 floats/tuple.

Used in: VectorBlock

• repeated float start_control = 1

  len % 6 == 0, len >= 6

• float last_x = 2

• float last_y = 3

• float last_z = 4

StructureType defines the type of structure model the vectors belong to. PART is default, usually refering to a tesselated model, e.g. STL models. Support structures don't belong to any part, but are needed for the process. Wirestructures can be tesselated. But it is more efficient to treat them seperatly in a parametrized format. They are similar to supports, but are not removed after the process. Points use is very limited. They may form a support or wirestructure.

Used in: LPBFMetadata, MicroStructuringMetadata

• PART = 0

• SUPPORT = 1

• WIRESTRUCTURE = 2

• POINTS = 3

Synchronization block for multi laser scanner unit systems. Creates dynamic dependencies between multiple lasers exposure orders that shall be enforced by the machine controller in real time.

Used in: VectorBlock

• int32 vector_block_index_to_wait_on = 1

  The SynchronizationBlock references another vector block to wait on in the same workplane by index. Exposure of the laser of SynchronizationBlock (referenced by laser_index) will pause and not continue until the block referenced by vector_block_index_to_wait_on has been fully executed. Caution must be taken to not create cyclic synchronization dependencies, which would cause a deadlock.

Used in: VectorBlock

• double total_scan_distance_in_mm = 1

  total scan distance of this vector block in mm

• double total_jump_distance_in_mm = 2

  total scan distance of this vector block in mm

• int32 part_key = 3

  key used in Job/partsMap

• int32 patch_key = 4

  key used in Job/Workplane/patchesMap

• int32 contour_index = 5

  Index of the closedContour in the workplane/Metadata/contours field this vector block is contained in. Contours shall be enumerated ascending in each workplane to identifiy physical contours consisting of multiple vector blocks (e.g. when parameters change) as one. If this parameter is set to any value smaller than 0, this explicitly indicates that none of the vectors of the block are contained in any contour (this is the case for e.g. single vector/line supports). If contour_index is set to a valid contour index, all of the blocks vectors are contained in the contour. The case of a vector block that partly overlaps a contour is excluded on purpose. Overlapping blocks cause a reexposure that should be handled by the machine controller. If containing contour meta data is calculated, overlapping vector blocks should be split and properly indicate the reexposure in the meta data.

• optional AxisAlignedBox2D bounds = 6

  2D axis aligned bounding box of the vector block coordinates

• int32 display_color = 7

  Optional metadata defining a preferred 32bit RGBA color to render the vector data of this vector block in a viewer. int32 is interpreted as byte[4] with byte[0] = red, byte[1] = green, byte[2] = blue, byte[3] = alpha

• double exposure_time_in_s = 8

  internal execution time of the vector block, including block internal delays and skywriting this time stays constant when the vector block is translated/rotated, excludes jump_to_time_in_s the full execution time is the sum of exposure_time_in_s and jump_to_time_in_s

• double jump_to_time_in_s = 9

  jump time from the end position of the previous vector block to the start position of this vector block this time changes when the vector block is translated/rotated the full execution time is the sum of exposure_time_in_s and jump_to_time_in_s

• double laser_on_time_in_s = 10

  time the laser power was on can be used to calculate productive time percentage and theoretical energy input (multiply with laser_power_in_w)

A WorkingPlane is a 2D working plane of the tool (e.g. laser scanfield, electron beam scan field) in the global 3D coordinate system that is set by moving one or more physical axis relative to the workpiece. It follows the same concept as a sketch plane in CAD applications. Any axis movement that changes the work plane position will require a new WorkingPlane message. synonyms: Layer (LPBF) / 3DPatches (Structuring) / Scanfields (MultiBeam)

Used in: Job

• repeated VectorBlock vector_blocks = 1

• float x_pos_in_mm = 2

  Axis positions - can be used for tiling

• float y_pos_in_mm = 3

• float z_pos_in_mm = 4

  for PBF processes bed position

• float x_rot_in_deg = 5

• float y_rot_in_deg = 6

• float z_rot_in_deg = 7

• int32 num_blocks = 8

• uint32 repeats = 9

  how many times the WorkPlane will be executed this will execute all vector blocks in order once, then repeat [repeats] times starting with the first block again etc.

• int32 work_plane_number = 10

  reference for syncing or asynchronious execution (keeping correct order)

• string machine_type = 11

  identifier of the machine to prevent type mismatch, has to be verified by the machine controller

• repeated float additional_axis_positions = 12

  goal positions of the axis in order of machine axis number

• optional WorkPlane.WorkPlaneMetaData meta_data = 13

A patch is a subdivision in a workPlane with an own local coordinate system. The local transformation is given by the 2D origin (u/v) Coordinates in the workplane may be tranformed by the machine depending on the patch

Used in: WorkPlaneMetaData

• optional VectorBlock.LineSequence outer_contour = 1

  optional 2D polygon that forms the outer contour (not marked) of this patch if the contour should get executed a separate vector block is used.

• float u = 2

  local transformation of workpiece coordinate x

• float v = 3

  local transformation of workpiece coordinate y

• int32 layer_id = 4

  identifier of actual workpiece layer / stack for single patch processes like powder bed this equals the workPlane number

optional metadata of this work plane

Used in: WorkPlane

• double total_scan_distance_in_mm = 1

  total scan distance of this WorkPlane in mm

• double total_jump_distance_in_mm = 2

  total scan distance of this WorkPlane in mm

• map<int32, Patch> patches_map = 3

  map containing all patches in this workplane

• float maxPower = 4

  actually applied max laser power after dynamic parameter allocation in this workPlane

• float minPower = 5

  actually applied min laser power after dynamic parameter allocation in this workPlane

• repeated WorkPlaneMetaData.closedContour contours = 6

  all closed contours present in this workplane

• optional AxisAlignedBox2D Bounds = 7

  2D axis aligned bounding box of all the workplanes vector block coordinates

Used in: WorkPlaneMetaData

• repeated int32 contour_section_vector_block_indices = 1

  indices of the vector blocks in vector_blocks repeated field that represent different sections of one closed contour sections are necessary to indicate parameter set changes along the contour with this meta data reconstruction of original contours is possible

• float area_in_mm_2 = 2

  this closed contours area in square millimeters

• float length_in_mm = 3

  this closed contours total length in millimeters

• int32 parent_index = 5

  index of the parent (containing) contour in this workplanes' repeated contours field if the parent index points to the contour itself, it is one outermost contour

• int32 winding_number = 6

  defines the winding number of the contour around the contours centroid also indicateing its direction: negative = clockwise / positive = counterclockwise

• closedContour.ContourType type = 7

  indicates the ContourType of this contour

Used in: closedContour

• PART_OUTER_CONTOUR = 0

  an outer contour of the unprocessed part slice for non overlapping contour groups, outer an inner contours always alternate the hierarchy of the contours is stored in parent_index instead

• PART_INNER_CONTOUR = 1

  an inner contour of the unprocessed part slice for non overlapping contour groups, outer an inner contours always alternate the hierarchy of the contours is stored in parent_index instead

• OFFSET_CONTOUR = 2

  an additional contour that has been offset from a contour of the unprocessed part slice e.g. because number_of_contours > 1 in the part process strategy these contours are not part of the unprocessed part slices contour hierarchy they instead are offset to their parent contour indicated by parent_index and typically are used to weld the parent contour to the hatches

positions are 64bit values in bytes only Int64 and not UInt64 because the length of a filestream is given bei Int64 (long) in C#.

• int64 workPlaneShellPosition = 1

• repeated int64 vectorBlocksPositions = 2