CAM Expansion - 3D Printer Slicer Functionality

[Anonymous]

Expand the CAM tool suite by including additive manufacturing functionality.  Meshmixer is a tool that is available to prep a solid model for printing but it does not generate the necessary G-code needed to drive a RepRap class printer.  There are several free tools available as well as some for purchase.  I currently use Simplify3D for my slicer work (very good product).  It would be nice to have the slicer configuration setting feeding back live into the modeling environment while designing the part.  Layer thickness, bead width, fill percentage, overhang limits etc drive the tool path generation that takes place within the slicer.  Often times the slicer has to make compromises for best tool path solutions that are less than ideal because the model is fixed in the slicer environment.  Having slicer results overlayed in the modeling environment allows the model to remain a variable which means the designer can make adjustments to the model to realize optimal print quality.  Presently this is performed by hand calculations and best guesses by the designer based on printing experience.

Rick

[odolyte]

Hi Rick,

I believe some things are in motion at autodesk. They ageed for a 3D print mode. It's already in the pipline ... 😉

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-ideastation-request-a/set-bottom-face-for-3d-print/idi-p/55...

[Anonymous]

Thats good no know Permalink.  Thanks for the info...

While I was suggesting adding a slicer to Fusion, I am also suggesting a unique kind of functionality.  The output of the slicer's tool path work could be "projected" into the modeling environment.  Imagine a 3D model of the printed part, all filaments complete with flattening of the beads at points of contact, perimeter walls, infill, etc. Take this 3D printed model and have it superimposed on the actual part model in the model workspace.  The design can than manipulate the part model and/or make adjustment to the slicer parameters to get the optimal print model.

Rick

[fonsecr]

Interesting idea about simulating the printed part. I guess Quality is become more and more of a concern. The print processes / materials need to be simulated differently, though.

[Anonymous]

Fonsecr - print quality, as measured in terms of how well the printed part matches the geometric form of the modeled part, is a key factor in 3D printing for parts used in assemblies. Fitment is crucial.  As for how this will need to be simulated in the design work space material type certainly plays a factor but there are many other factors that must be considered.  These factors are largely driven by the configuration settings in the slicer application, which is why what I am proposing would only be possible if the slicer if integrated into the Fusion environment.

Rick

[jeff_r_latham]

I agree. 3D printing should be included in the CAM workspace. It can generate toolpaths for subtractive manufacturing, why not additive manufacturing as well?

I know that Autodesk Print Studio is trying to fill this role; however, it does not have the ability to set several crucial/non-trivial/must-have settings for 3D printing (such as extruder temperature and telling the print head to lift off of the part before traveling). So as of right now, Autodesk Print Studio is a very pretty yet completely useless piece of software, which is sad because I want to use it.

So, Autodesk should focus on making Print Studio a functional application, but there's also no reason to not include additive manufacturing toolpath generation within Fusion 360 itself. This would take it to the next level!

[Anonymous]

Also, an important feature that is missing in many 3D slicing software is the ability to add short walls around the corners of a print or another area that has a small surface area (i.e., bonding with the base plate).  If there were this ability to easily add small walls or detachable circles around these corners this would help with the warping allot.  The circled corners could be attached to the print corners in the way that supports are attached at an interface of 0.4mm or similar joining.  That way they would trap heat, reduce the warping, and be detachable.  Not even Simplify3D has this functionality.