When building parts in a stereolithography apparatus (SLA), the user is faced with many decis!ons
regarding the setting of process variables. To 'achieve a set of tolera~ces as closely as pOSSIble,
relationships between part geometry, tolerances, and process v~nables ~ust be understood
quantitatively. This paper presents a method for SLA process plannIng that IS based on response
surface methodology and multi-objective optimization, where the response surfaces capture these
relationships. These response surfaces were generated by extensive design-of-experiment studies
for a variety of geometries. An annotated STL data format is also presented that enables the
inclusion of tolerance and surface information in fatetted representations. Application of the data
format and process planning method is illustrated on one part.Mechanical Engineerin
