COMPLEX FEATURE CLONING IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DATASETS

A computer-implemented method for generating a manufacturing dataset having cloned geometric features for an additive manufacturing process includes identifying, via a processor (501), a repeating design feature (304) in a first manufacturing dataset that defines a three-dimensional workpiece. The method further includes determining, via the processor, a processing cost or benefit for cloning the repeating design feature, and generating, via the processor, a second dataset having with repeating design feature isolated responsive to the determined processing benefit. The method includes generating, via the processor, a third dataset from the first manufacturing dataset. The third dataset that replaces the repeating design feature with a reference to the second dataset having the repeating design feature.