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Z-Suite: Print Settings

Print

Print
If your model is ready to be printed, click “Print.”
 This will expand a side window, allowing you to adjust some basic print settings and preferences for your 3D Print.

Profile

Profile
The PROFILE drop-down option, allows you to select which material is currently loaded. Material selection is limited to Z-ABS only, for safety and technical related concerns. The material will always be pre-loaded by IDeATe Tech Staff. You should always select Z-ABS.

Layer

Layer Thickness

LAYER THICKNESS: this drop-down allows you to choose the height of one printed layer. (0.09mm/0.14mm/0.19mm/0.29mm/0.39mm) Your material selection may affect the available selection choices.

a. Finer layers (0.09mm/0.14mm) = Better surface quality + increased printing time + increased material usage. This is recommended for parts that are intricate/highly-detailed/organic/curvilinear.

b. Average Layers (0.14mm/0.19mm) = Average surface quality + average printing time + average material usage. These settings work well for most shapes and forms.

c. Thicker layers (0.29mm/0.39mm) = Less surface quality + decreased printing time + decreased material usage. These settings are recommended if your part is simple/rectilinear/square. You can also use these settings if your part is a first-stage prototype, or if you’re in a rush!

Quality

Quality

QUALITY: This drop-down option allows you to adjust the speed and quality of the 3D Print.

High Quality = decreased speed + increased code output + increased print time. This is recommended for organic or curvilinear shapes.

Normal Quality = average speed + average code output + average print time. This will work well for any form.

Infill

Infill

INFILL: Allows you to adjust how the interior of your model is printed. *See the image below and continue reading for extended description.

 

Maximum = High strength + increased print time + increased material usage. Use these settings if your part requires strength and durability; or if you plan on drilling/screwing screws or bolts into the part.

High = Average strength + average print time + average material usage. Use these settings if your part requires average strength; or if you plan on sanding the part afterward.

Medium = Sufficient strength + lower print time + lower material usage. Use these settings if your part is for show, study, or research.

Low = Minimal strength + minimal print time + minimal material usage. Use these settings if the interior of your object or strength doesn’t matter; or if you’re in a rush!

Support

Support
SUPPORT: Allows you to select the angle at which support structures are generated for over-hanging or undercut geometry. If your 3D Model includes over-hangs or undercuts; we’ll have to define when the 3D Printer creates support structures to support these features. By default, this option is set to 20 Degrees. This setting is safe as it provides extensive supports for your model.

For instance, a support setting of 40 Degrees would print support structures for overhanging geometry that is greater-than or equal-to 40 Degrees. An example is provided in the image above.

Lower Support Setting Values = increased print time + increased material usage + increased success + increased post-processing time (removal/clipping of support material from final model)

As a second example, a support setting of 80 Degrees would print support structures for overhanging geometry that is greater-than or equal-to 80 Degrees. An example is provided in the image above. This setting would provide limited support for over-hanging structures, and the likelihood your model will print successfully is minimal.

Higher Support Setting Values = decreased print time + decreased material usage + decreased success + decreased post-processing time (removal/clipping of support material from final model)
SUPPORT LITE: Choose this option to generate the support structure without the outer perimeter. Support Lite consumes less material, is easier to remove, and decreases print time. However, this option can cause problems with complicated Support structures.

Fan

Fan Speed
FAN SPEED: Should be set to Auto.
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Z-Suite: Interface & Tools

Views

Views
Click “Select View” to quickly select the view of the model.

Move

Move
Click “Move Object” icon to move the model in the workspace. You can move the model by editing X and Y parameters or click and drag the selected model.

Rotate

Rotate
With “Rotate Object” option you can rotate a model in the workspace in three directions. You can rotate the model by adding an angle or clicking and dragging the selected model. Choose one of the three axes: X, Y or Z to decide in which direction you want to rotate the model.

Resize

Resize
Click “Resize Object” icon to scale the model. You can resize the model by changing the parameters in the table or by using the click and drag option. If you want to enlarge your model in all axes click and secure the padlock icon. With an unsecured padlock you can change the parameters independently of one another

Copy/Delete

Copy or Delete
To copy a model, select an object and press CRTL + C keys. Select the model and click “trash” icon or press delete key on your keyboard to delete it.

Split

Is your model too large? Z-Suite can split your model into multiple, smaller print-jobs that fit on the print platform:

1. Split
Click “Split” icon to split the model.

 

2. Cutting Plane
Choose the position of the cutting plane. You can change the parameters manually or adjust the slider and click “Split” or ”Split All.” Each separate part can be saved by clicking “Export”.

 

3. Arrange
Delete one part of the model and “Auto Arrange” the other part in the workspace to prepare it for printing.

Arrange

Do you have a multi-part print? If you’re uncertain how to arrange all the items on the print platform, use the Auto Arrange tool:

1. AutoArrange
Click on the “Auto arrange” icon in the left menu bar to auto arrange your model in the workspace.

 

2. RED Geometry
If the model turns red, it means that your model is outside the workspace. Resize or move the model to mould it to the workspace.

 

3. Orange Geometry
If the model turns orange, it means that a collision between the two models has been detected. You can still prepare them for print. The models will be merged together and printed as a one piece. If you don’t want them to be printed as a one piece, resize or move the models around the workspace.
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Z-Suite: Import

Open Z-Suite and upload your file into the workspace:

1. Select System
On the start screen, select the model of your printer which will be used.

 

2. Upload
Use the “+” icon or the drag-and-drop option to upload a model. You may do so with models saved in an .stl or an .obj format.

 

3. OPEN
Browse to your file location, select and click OPEN.

 

4. Prepare
Your model is now within the workspace. To select the model, click the right mouse button. You can save your model at any time by clicking SAVE PROJECT.

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08, Monday

Today’s class was dedicated to Environmental Health & Safety’s: Fire Extinguisher Identification and Use Training. To retain access to the eFab Lab and the Laser Equipment, you must complete this training. If you missed today’s session, you can visit:

https://cmu.bioraft.com/node/284572/sessions/

… and sign up for the next available session. If you participate in training outside of this class-time, you must email me with the EH&S Training Certificate.

 

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05, Wednesday

In today’s class, we reviewed how to export a Rhino File for laser processing. After which, we introduced LaserCut: a Laser preparation program, that allows you to import your prepared geometry and begin designating specific elements for specific processes (cutting, engraving, scoring). The LaserCut interface is shown in the Laser Processing Introduction (Slides 15-20); but it’s more thoroughly reviewed in the LaserCut Tutorial. We also reviewed IDeATe’s Laser Equipment Policies. The end of class was more ‘Rhino play-time’, but we also began training on Laser Equipment operation/procedure. You should be thinking about Project 1, and either preparing the suggested project geometry, or developing your own project.