Nesting for 3D Printing (SLS)

[demetrisktorides]

I use SLS printer service and the way they charge is per cubic cm as the powder is very expensive. They take the STL models, put them through a "nesting software" which basically packs all 3d files as close as it can to get the smallest possible bounding box. In this way the user pays for the minimum possible volume. I believe all SLS services charge in this way.

If Fusion had a command which could do that, users could adjust models before hand to know exactly how much they would pay, and have maximum control over the printing (costs). I am attaching an image I have found online which shows a screenshot of one of these nesting procedures 

[JeromeBriot]

Hello,

did you try the 3D Packing add-in ?

 Jerome Briot
Freelance R&D engineer 

[demetrisktorides]

Hi Jerome! 

I wasn't aware of the app, but it's pretty much spot on! thanks a lot!

[Anonymous]

Hey, it seems you can no longer add your own custom printer volume in 3D Packing, does anyone know a way around this(changing code) or have a spare installer of the old version?

We are using sinterit lisapro so would like to add this to the available printers.

[Anonymous]

What software were you using outside of F360? We have a polyjet we are wanting to do this with. 

[JeromeBriot]

3D Packing is written in C++. It can't be modified without the source code.

The only solution is to contact its author.

Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks @JeromeBriot, I was just hoping there was some way of getting the older version because i think in that one you could define the printer volume. I contacted the author a few weeks ago but no response just yet, Cheers

[Sualp.Ozel]

Nowadays this functionality to 3 nest parts within the build volume of a 3d printer (sls/mjf) is natively available in Fusion.

the personal/hobby license users of fusion can use the bounding box method and the commercial users of Fusion can go beyond the bounding box method and 3d nest using the MonteCarlo method or the Trueshape method.

you can read more about this on the online help here: 
https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=MFG-AM-HOW-TO-ARRANGE