So let's see what comes into play for each. This step also includes enabling support structures, which is one of the most practical features of a 3D slicer.ģD printing parameters will vary depending on the type of technology (FDM or resin-based), as well as the type of material (different types of FDM filaments require different settings, for example), the object to be printed, and its intended purpose. You can change dimensions using scaling functions, and parts can be partially or fully hollowed out, filled with fill patterns, and wall thickness values provided. The 3D model can also be partially modified during this step. These user-entered values are defined before printing. With the 3D model in a format the slicer can understand, the next step is to provide print details such as layer height, speed, part positioning, and several other production-related settings. The one most commonly associated with 3D printing is STL (.stl), which is exported by most 3D modeling software programs. For this reason, a standardized file format is used. If 3D slicers were to handle all these different formats, they would require a huge support base, but even so, they certainly cannot cover all modeling software. The problem is that each digital file created with a particular CAD tool has a specific format, such as "Blend" (.blend) for Blender and "part" and "assembly" (.sldprt and. You can create digital 3D models using a wide variety of CAD software, ranging from the artistic and open source Blender to the professional and highly technical SolidWorks. To successfully prepare a model for 3D printing, the slicer requires two different inputs: the 3D model itself and the set of print parameters that tell the machine how the actual printing should be done. Requirements Each slicer requires two inputs (Source: MakerBot ) But what's really going on behind that tidy user interface? Let's take a look at what we need to have a successful slicer experience. In most cases, as we will see later, they even generate G-code commands.ģD slicing procedures may seem simple to anyone who has printed a 3D model. Although there are many different ways to "talk" to these machines, the predominant language is G-code, which is used in various types of manufacturing systems.Īlthough 3D slicers are not strictly categorized as CAM software, they perform the same function in the 3D printing process in that they output digital files containing detailed instructions for the printer to execute. As the name suggests, the commands entered control all aspects of the machine, including movement speeds, temperatures, and cooling. These instructions are transmitted in the form of command lines, commonly referred to as computer numerical control (CNC). In effect, it serves as a bridge between digital 3D models (produced by computer aided design or CAD) and manufacturing systems by converting drawings into instructions for the machine to execute. CAM is computer software that assists, facilitates or automates manufacturing processes. Let's start! Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Although slicers are not CAM software, they play the same role in 3D printing processes (Source: Autodesk )Īlthough not usually associated with slicing software, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is useful in our understanding of what a slicer does. In this article, we'll discuss the role of slicers in 3D printing, detail how 3D slicing works for FDM and resin, and finally conclude with slicing in other 3D printing technologies. The Slicer software is therefore aptly named because it effectively 'slices' 3D models into many horizontal 2D layers that will later be printed, one at a time. In addition to the model itself, the instructions contain user-input 3D printing parameters such as layer height, speed, and support structure settings.Īny 3D printing technology creates 3D objects by adding material layer by layer. Learn all about this essential software in 3D printing.Ī slicer is a program that converts digital 3D models into printing instructions for a given 3D printer to build an object. 3D slicers determine how a model is built and instruct the 3D printer how to print it.
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