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Check for collisions, interlocking, and verify the slice distribution of packed parts.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
4 min.
Transcript
00:03
During print preparation in Netfabb, you can verify the placement and distribution of packed parts.
00:10
This includes checking for and eliminating collisions and potential instances of interlocking, as well as analyzing slice distributions.
00:20
Performing these functions prior to printing your parts prevents potential errors
00:25
and allows you to optimize print quality, structural integrity, material usage, and print time.
00:34
In this example, 94 parts are 3D-packed into the build volume shown.
00:40
Here, a custom menu has also been created to make it easier to access key packing tools and functions.
00:49
Begin by checking for collisions, with the view zoomed to Fit All, in the main menu, click Collision Detection.
00:58
This tool helps you ensure that parts do not overlap or interfere with each other, reducing the possibility of print errors.
01:07
A green check mark displays in the context view to indicate that no collisions were detected.
01:14
Next, click Interlocking Test to identify any potential instances where parts may need to be separated prior to printing.
01:23
The Confirmation dialog confirms that No Interlockings are found.
01:28
To demonstrate what interlocking looks like, two parts are selected and isolated.
01:36
Then, one part is rotated and adjusted to interlock with the other.
01:44
While you can print the two parts like this, you will not be able to separate them after printing.
01:51
Therefore, it is important to remove any instances of interlocking prior to printing.
01:58
Here, undo the changes and restore the view to include all parts.
02:04
With the view zoomed to Fit All, select all parts in the build volume, and then click Slice Parts.
02:13
In the Slice Part dialog, input a Layer Size—here, 0.1 mm.
02:21
Keep in mind that this is not the layer size that you will print with; it is only used to analyze your slices.
02:28
Click Start.
02:31
Once the analysis is complete, use the slider to move up and down to view the different slices.
02:39
In the Browser, with Slice Analysis selected, click Recalculate to view how much area will print at a given layer height.
02:50
You can see here that a 0.1-layer size will result in 1,907 slices, with a maximum of up to 154 square cm being printed at once,
03:02
and a minimum of 19 square cm.
03:06
Ideally, you want to achieve a more uniform distribution of layers in MJF or SLS printing,
03:13
so the next step is to try a different 3D packing method, to see if it results in smoother variances.
03:22
In the meantime, you can export the results of your slice analysis by clicking Export as CSV.
03:30
This allows you to compare the results with another analysis later.
03:35
Now you can analyze and optimize your part placement and distribution prior to printing by using collision detection,
03:42
the Interlocking Test, and a slice analysis.
Video transcript
00:03
During print preparation in Netfabb, you can verify the placement and distribution of packed parts.
00:10
This includes checking for and eliminating collisions and potential instances of interlocking, as well as analyzing slice distributions.
00:20
Performing these functions prior to printing your parts prevents potential errors
00:25
and allows you to optimize print quality, structural integrity, material usage, and print time.
00:34
In this example, 94 parts are 3D-packed into the build volume shown.
00:40
Here, a custom menu has also been created to make it easier to access key packing tools and functions.
00:49
Begin by checking for collisions, with the view zoomed to Fit All, in the main menu, click Collision Detection.
00:58
This tool helps you ensure that parts do not overlap or interfere with each other, reducing the possibility of print errors.
01:07
A green check mark displays in the context view to indicate that no collisions were detected.
01:14
Next, click Interlocking Test to identify any potential instances where parts may need to be separated prior to printing.
01:23
The Confirmation dialog confirms that No Interlockings are found.
01:28
To demonstrate what interlocking looks like, two parts are selected and isolated.
01:36
Then, one part is rotated and adjusted to interlock with the other.
01:44
While you can print the two parts like this, you will not be able to separate them after printing.
01:51
Therefore, it is important to remove any instances of interlocking prior to printing.
01:58
Here, undo the changes and restore the view to include all parts.
02:04
With the view zoomed to Fit All, select all parts in the build volume, and then click Slice Parts.
02:13
In the Slice Part dialog, input a Layer Size—here, 0.1 mm.
02:21
Keep in mind that this is not the layer size that you will print with; it is only used to analyze your slices.
02:28
Click Start.
02:31
Once the analysis is complete, use the slider to move up and down to view the different slices.
02:39
In the Browser, with Slice Analysis selected, click Recalculate to view how much area will print at a given layer height.
02:50
You can see here that a 0.1-layer size will result in 1,907 slices, with a maximum of up to 154 square cm being printed at once,
03:02
and a minimum of 19 square cm.
03:06
Ideally, you want to achieve a more uniform distribution of layers in MJF or SLS printing,
03:13
so the next step is to try a different 3D packing method, to see if it results in smoother variances.
03:22
In the meantime, you can export the results of your slice analysis by clicking Export as CSV.
03:30
This allows you to compare the results with another analysis later.
03:35
Now you can analyze and optimize your part placement and distribution prior to printing by using collision detection,
03:42
the Interlocking Test, and a slice analysis.
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