Month: February 2017

After submitting a print job, your file is moved to the approve queue. Selecting the APPROVE tab will provide you with a list of 3D Prints waiting to be approved (ordered by submission time/date), with your recent submission included.

Immediately after submitting a print job, the right-most column of your print job listing, will indicate the file is ‘SLICING’. This process may take some time, as the toolpaths for the print job are being generated.

After the print job finishes the SLICING process, selecting the print job title or thumbnail will guide you to a new window with the print details. Review the following:

Estimated Filament/Cost: An estimate on the job’s filament usage is provided. Multiplying this number by IDeATe’s 3D Printing price, will provide you with an estimated cost for your print job. e.g. (IDeATe 3DPrint Price) x (Estimated Filament) = (Estimated Cost) Make sure you’re ok with the estimated cost!

i. *IDeATe 3D Print Pricing = $0.10/g (*Fall 2016 & Spring 2017)

ii. *Estimated Filament  = 40 grams (example only)

iii. Estimated Cost Example: ($0.10) x (40g) = $4.00

General Settings: Make sure the QUALITY, INFILL, UNITS, SUPPORT, ROTATION, SCALE and other miscellaneous settings are correct.

If you find any errors with your print job, select the OPEN IN EDITOR button, from the bottom of the left menu. This will re-open the PRINT SETTINGS menu. From this menu, you can make any required adjustments to your print job, and re-submit.

*IMPORTANT: if you resubmit a print job with revised settings, your original print job will still exist in the approval queue! Revisit the APPROVE tab and delete any print jobs you do not want!

The Strength slider affects the infill density of the part. The infill pattern can be configured between honeycomb, rectilinear, line, and concentric. By default, these options are set to ‘AUTO’, but you may want to reconfigure these settings to increase the strength of your final part.

High density (55-75%) = slower printing + increased expense + increased strength.

Medium density (35-54%) = average printing + average expense + average strength.

Low density (5-34%) = faster printing + low cost + low strength.

HONEYCOMB infill pattern. Offers average wall strength with increased compression strength. Infill density from left-to-right: 18%, 37%, 55%, 75%

Support structures are necessary in supporting 3D printed parts with overhangs, bridges, or undercuts. If your geometry includes any of these features, the SUPPORT MATERIAL button should be switched ‘ON’.

Select the EDIT button to adjust the support angle and pattern.

The ANGLE value defines the angle at which support structures are generated for over-hanging or undercut geometry. It is recommended this setting be left as default: AUTO.

AUTO Angle Value = average print success + average print cost + efficient print time. This option is recommended. The printer will determine when it requires more or less support.

Higher Angle Values (75-90 Degrees) = increased print success + extreme increase in print cost + extreme increase in print time. The removal of support material from your final part will also prove quite difficult.

Average Angle Values (45-74 Degrees) = increased print success + increased print cost + increased print time. These values are safe.

Lower Angle Values (0-44 Degrees) = lower print success + lower print cost + lower print time.

At the bottom of the NVCloud Print Settings window, various universal options are provided (from left-to-right):

GROUP BAR: This expanding menu allows you to select which print group (and printer) the print should be sent to. This is covered in NVCloud: Submission & Review.

SUBMIT: Selecting this button sends your file to the selected printing group for approval. This is covered in NVCloud: Submission & Review.

SAVE: Select this button to save your print file and settings. Your file can be retrieved at any time, by browsing to the LIBRARY tab and selecting SAVED PARTS* in the left menu. (*Link opens in new tab, login required)

RESET: Select this option to reset the print settings and any transformations you’ve applied.

CANCEL: Select this option to exit the print settings menu. Your uploaded file and any adjustments will be discarded.

Selecting the CHANGE GROUP option, allows you to switch between any groups you’ve been invited to. Selecting and printing to the right group, may determine whether the print is billed to the course, or the student. There are (2) types of groups:

a) Course groups are created for each IDeATe Course that uses the NVPro Printer. Any course related printing should be submitted from the affiliated course group. Initially, you will receive an invite to join at least (2) course groups. The group title will reflect your course name, followed by a numeric label ’01’  or ’02’. Group titles ending in ’01’ provide access to NVBOTS – 01. Group titles ending in ’02’ provide access to NVBOTS – 02.

b) Two universal groups, QUEUE 01 & QUEUE 02, provide continued access to the NVPro printing equipment after your IDeATe course ends. These groups can also be used for personal or other non-IDeATe course related projects.

After you’ve uploaded a file, modified the print settings, and submitted the file for printing- the file is placed in the approval queue. When selecting the APPROVE tab, you can browse/view a list of 3D Print submissions that are awaiting approval. From this area, you can also select your print file, and review relevant information pertaining to the print job. (e.g. Estimated Filament usage for calculating price) If you find an error or mistake in the print job info, you can also cancel your print job from the APPROVE tab.

Approving print jobs is coordinated by IDeATe Technical Staff. You will receive an email notification when your print job is approved; unless this notification option is disabled from your personal notification options. *Find NOTIFICATION information under the PROFILE tab.