But unless you are confident of the changes, it is advised not to tweak these default parameters. All these parameters can be changed at will. Preform also comes up with default settings corresponding to base thickness, support structure density, support structure tip diameter etc. But when supports are placed, the part dimensions are within tolerance since the initial few layers that get compromised constitute the base of the support structure, whose dimensions are of little of no importance to us. Thus, if you are printing the part without a base, the part would be dimensionally smaller in the Z-axis. The reason being that, Formlabs compresses the initial few layers of the print for better adherence between the part and the build platform. This may not always be the optimal part orientation, and it is advised that, based on the part application and geometry, one should re-design the part orientation and support structure placement.Įven if the part geometry is simple and can be printed without supports, it is highly recommended that support structures are put in place while printing. Preform comes with a “magic” button that orients the part at an angle based on the default settings.
Part oriented at an angle: Less cross-sectional area per layer exposed to the laser. As a result, the peel forces required to detach the print from the resin tank are reduced.įlat part orientation: More cross-sectional area per layer exposed to the laser. Also, there’s only little overhang for each new layer. Orienting the part at an angle to the build platform results in less cross-sectional area per layer exposed to the laser. More the cross-sectional area adhering to the surface of the resin tank, more the peel forces required. Such forces can distort the extremely thin layers mounted on support structures they could detach the print from the build platform or could break the inter-layer bonding between the layers. This implies that, there will be more surface area of the part adhering to the PDMS surface of the resin tank, which results in higher peel forces required to detach the same. If a part having a planar surface is oriented flat to the build platform, there is more surface area per cross-sectional layer exposed to the laser. The peeling action basically detaches the print from the PDMS surface of the resin tank. It is recommended that the parts be oriented at an angle because the Formlabs SLA performs a “peel” action after every layer for the new layer of resin to be agitated in place. One should note that the part will be oriented upside-down with respect to the part orientation displayed on the Preform software.
#CONTACT PREFORM FORMLABS SOFTWARE#
To begin with, Formlabs SLA comes with a Preform software for part orientation and support structure generation.
But there are a few important considerations while orienting the part and designing the supports. However, the role of support structures is the same as in case of any other 3D Printing technology - they help support the overhanging features and in this case, support the weight of the part. In this article we will cover other important aspects like part orientation and support structure generation.Īs you all know, although the methodology, in theory, of Formlabs SLA is similar to a traditional SLA process, the actual part fabrication technique is totally different. SIn the last article we talked about the process architecture and printer characteristics of a Formlabs SLA printer.
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