A controller for use in an additive manufacturing system including a consolidation device configured to consolidate material is provided. The controller is configured to receive a build file for a component including a plurality of build layers, wherein each build layer includes a component outer perimeter, at least one build layer generating function, at least one generating function variable, and at least one generating function constant. The controller is configured to generate at least one control signal to control a power output throughout at least one scan path of the consolidation device across the material for each build layer of the plurality of build layers, the at least one scan path generated based at least partially on the component outer perimeter, the at least one generating function, the at least one generating function variable, and the at least one generating function constant for each build layer.