Sd 300 Pro Training Tips Tricks

2009 Copyright Solido Ltd. 1

Welcome


Specifications

Printer specifications:

Technology 3D printing - Plastic Sheet Lamination Build Material PVC Dimensions W18.3 x L30.3 x H16.5 Weight without cartridge and roll 79lbs Power consumption 620W (maximum power, in process) 100-120 / 200-240VAC 50/60 Hz. Operating temperature 95 F Sound level Max. 65 db(A)

Software & Requirements

Language English Input File Formats Supported STL Output File Supported SDM (Proprietary) Platforms Supported Windows 2000, XP Processor Pentium lll, 500Mhz RAM 128MB HD 10MB Interface USB


Capabilities

Build material: Engineered plastic Maximum model size (XYZ): 6.3 x 8.26 x 5.3

Accuracy: +/-0.0039 (X and Y)

Resolution: 0.0066 (Z)

Input file formats: STL

Minimum free wall thickness: 0.039


Models


Technology and operation concept

Bottom to top layer by layer build-up

Layer build-up cycle:

Preparing a new plastic sheet layer in the buffer Glue application on the whole area Ironing the new plastic sheet layer on the model block Cutting the new plastic sheet layer according to the pattern Trimming the new plastic sheet layer and roll back Masking fluid application by the 3 AG pens


Material Kit

Plastic Material roll

Glue container

AG cassette

AG pens

NOTE: Glue, Anti-Glue and Material Roll have to be changed all together. NEVER mix the components of the Kit


Support Removal

Clean, dry parts, no chemicals or washes No special tools or lab equipment required Peeling cuts allow easy peeling of complicated geometries Z-Fold allows fast, continuous removal of excess material


The Workflow

1. Click BUILD and send the build file to the SD300-Pro

2. Retrieve your model

3. Simply peel away the support material

Youre done!


SDView application software

Importing STL files Placing models on work table Scale, duplicate, rotate, chop, join, etc. Viewing the model geometry Placing additional cuts File management (SDM format) Build model

Peeling Cuts

Table Box

Toolbars

Axis Origin Arrows

Safe Box

Table Grid

See SDViews User Manual under Help for more details


Glossary

Build Process (Build) The process that begins as the model is sent to the SD300 Pro 3D printer to be constructed

CAD software Computer Aided Design programs and systems to design detailed two or three-dimensional models of physical objects

Chopping Severing a model into separate sections

Peeling Cuts Cuts made in the residual material surrounding the model to provide for easy removal of the residual material left after the build process has completed

Safe Box A box surrounding the models, showing boundaries based on the full volume of material needed for building them

SDM Native format files which retain all the characteristics present at the last save of a models work session, such as: position, scaling and duplication

SD View The application software supplied with the SD300 Pro for preparing and sending a model to build

STL A universal format for 3D geometry supported by all major CAD vendors and used widely by rapid prototyping systems

Table Box A box surrounding the virtual table showing boundaries based on the limits of the build area (length=210 mm., width=160 mm. and height= 135 mm.)

Table Origin The build starting point of the virtual table (X, Y and Z coordinates located in the lower left corner of the table as shown on screen)

Virtual Table (Table) The surface provided in the SDview workspace for preparing models for build

Wire-frame The wire-frame option shows the many 2D triangular surfaces that construct the 3D model geometry


Send Model

To send prepared models to the SD300 for build, do one of the following: 1. Click the Build Model button in the toolbar.

2. Choose Build model from the File menu.

3. Press Ctrl-B.

4. The Build Model dialog box is displayed

Description of parameters: Total Number of Layers: displays the total number of layers of PVC needed to complete

the build

Roll Sufficient for Build: displays a Yes/No indication of whether or not the amount of consumable materials currently loaded in the SD300 will be enough to complete the required build.

Estimated Build Time: displays the time estimated to complete the required build.

Draft Mode: enables users to create quicker, low-resolution sketch models. In comparison to standard build mode, Draft Mode will create models with twice the layer thickness, and peeling cuts will be performed two layers at a time. The build time will decrease between 15%-25%.

No Z-Fold: When checked, this option cancels the Z-fold function. No Z-folds will be created in built model(s) when Z-fold is cancelled.


Printer Status - Queue

Description of fields displayed in the SD300 Status Queue Tab: Model Name: Name given to the model by the user when imported or saved

Owner: The name of the computer from which the model has been sent

Start Date: The calendar date when the model is due to be built

Start/End Time: Time the build was started and the estimated time of the build

Layers: The quantity of layers required to build the model and which layer it is currently building e.g.

49th layer out of 63 layers

Roll Sufficient:

Yes The current roll (and all KIT components) is sufficient for the build.

Partial The current roll (and all KIT components) will be consumed during the build and a new kit will have to be installed.

No The current roll (and all KIT components) will be consumed prior to start of build for that model.

Communications: The flashing Green Dot on the top right Indicates whether there is constant communication between the PC and the SD300 Pro.


Printer Status Printer info

The following information is displayed in the Printer Info Tab: Communications: indicates whether there is constant communication between the PC and the SD300 Pro

Status: the current status of the build process

Current Layer: this is the SolidVC material layer number that the machine is currently building

Total Number of Layers: the total number of layers of SolidVC material needed to build the required models

Is Current Roll Sufficient?: whether the current SolidVC material roll, glue and Anti-Glue in the SD300 Pro are enough to complete the build.

Estimated Completion Time: the time estimated to complete the models build

Build Information File Name: the name of the SDM file for the current model sent for build

Owner: the name of the computer used to send the current model for build

File Size: the size of the data file of the current model sent for build

Total Build Time: the total time required to build the current model sent for build

X, Y, Z, Block Size: the size of the material block required for the current build

Material Information Roll Left: the amount of SolidVC material left in the SD 300, in percentage

Material: SolidVC or other materials when available

Layer Thickness: The thickness of a layer of SolidVC material sheet and the adhesive material


Geometry capabilities What can you build ?

Full size parts Up to build spec Thin walls and small features 0.039 free wall thickness required Cavities and Holes Under Cuts Posts, snaps and pins 0.039 free wall thickness required


SDView Tips and Illustrations

FEB 2010


The following slides will illustrate several examples of how we may best utilize the tools given in SDView to ensure successful and optimized model builds.

The SDView tools to focus on will be F3 Rotate Models, F6 Peeling Cut, and F7 Chopping.

Overview


How to properly prepare the model for build


General Rule of Thumb

1.Apply the minimum amount of peeling cut needed to achieve your peeling. Excessive Peeling cut will not only increase your work time, but shortens the Cutting Knife life.

2.Dont intersect too many peeling cuts together as this will create bubbles underneath the PVC layer

3.When printing multiple models, recommend having a 2cm space between models


Example 1

Here we noticed there are 2 small features pointed by arrows. We need to apply Peeling Cut to break the area into sections for easier retrieval of the PVC support material. In this case we break into section 1, 2, and 3

1

2 3


Example 2

Here we see 3 openings in the Z direction, means there could be a PVC layer going in and out of the opening. That way, we will have a tough time removing that PVC layer

Example 2

2010 Copyright Solido3D 22

This way, we applied peeling cut in all openings in Z direction, or we sealed the openings.

The model can be now peeled in two sections. 1 (inside) and 2 (outside).

1

2


Example 3

Here we see 4 openings in the Z direction, therefore we need to seal them, or apply Peeling Cut. Also, we always try to divide the sections to make the peeling very manageable


Example 3

If we apply 3 peeling cuts like this not only we cut out all the openings on Z direction, but we also neatly divide the models into 4 parts so each part of the peeling does not affect the others.

Also notice that no peeling cut needs to be done to the openings lie horizontally. (blue arrows)

Also we may lower the peeling cut if they seem unnecessary. (green arrows)

1

2 3

4


Example 4

Here besides Z openings we also observe there is a big undercut, or ceiling. Some PVC layer immediately below the ceiling will be hard to remove.


Example 4

Now we chop the models in halves, and arrange the models a bit and apply peeling cuts. We neatly divided the print job into 5 sections. Notice that area 1 and 3 will be peeled from bottom, since there are undercuts (blue arrows).

2 3 1

4

5


Example 5

A bigger models with more openings in Z-direction (blue arrows). From previous examples we know we should divide the object into many neat sections by peeling cut.


Example 5

We now divided the model into sections and successful sealed all openings except the two openings in front (blue arrows).

Notice the part marked by black circle double check your peeling cut accurately run through actual geometries.


Example 5

The last part of this model will be this tricky feature its got Z opening in 4 places pointed by blue arrows.

And the green arrow points out that the area under ceiling will have to be peeled from bottom therefore its best we enclose (surround) the tricky areas with peeling cuts making it an individual section


Example 6

This example we must chop the models open in order to take the excessive material out. And we must rotate the model along X axis to achieve successful chop (see photo below).


Example 6

Quicky arrange the two pieces side by side to be printable at the same time, also saving material.

Then seal the 6 openings. Optionally you may place a peeling cut separate the two pieces.

Finally this print jobs should be peeled from the bottom since top is wider than bottom.


Example 7

This example shows a randomly shaped object where its best to use peeling cuts to manage the printing.

If no peeling cut applied, in the below illustration the PVC layer will have a hard time coming out because its pressed by the horse's legs.


Example 7

Therefore, we will use peeling cuts to divide the legs to allow peeling form both sides. By the same reason we will divide the horse nose by a peeling cut, and the horses ear by peeling cut as well.

Below we can see that the horse has been divided orderly into 6 sections.

1

2 3 4

5 6


Example 8

In this example we will face many undercuts as well. So the way we can handle the model is to apply peeling cut to separate the areas to allow peeling from top and peeling from bottom


Example 8

After the peeling cut divided each space into two sides, follow the blue arrow to peel from top, and follow the green arrow to peel from bottom. (see drawing below)


How to minimize build cost


Overview:

In order to reduce build cost we can follow the below three main principles:

1.Reduce the model building height. This means if geometry allows, try to orient your model in the way to minimize build height. This can also be achieved by model chopping.

2.Arrange the model(s) to use as little depth in Y-direction as possible. (bring the models forward)

3.If chopping or a specific orientation is not possible, try to fill the unused space with additional models to optimize your print job.


Example 9

We place the model in the most efficient way and check with SDView, which tells us this model takes 26% of Modeling Kit and build time is about 8 hours.

We now look for ways to cut this cost down by chopping the models in halves and arrange them appropriately.


Example 9

After chopping we arrange the model a little bit (using Rotate) and we immediately realize the material consumption drops to 15% with only 6 hours of build time.

If we further chop the models into 4 pieces (drawing below) and best utilize the build zone, we may bring down the material consumption to 8% with 4.5 hours of build time.


Example 10

This glasses frame takes a relatively more volume to build compare to the models actual size. However, chopping function and a bit of arrangement can help us lower the build cost tremendously. Right now SDView tells us it takes 34% of one roll of material and it takes over 9 hours to build.


Example 10

Now we chop the glasses into halves by Z-plane to lower the build cost.

Next we want to separate all other parts by chopping between the parts to free them. So later on we may move and reposition each part individually to optimize our print.


Example 10

Since all parts are free to move around individually, we bring all parts toward the front to minimize our Y-axis depth. We check the build information again in SDView and the material consumption becomes 13% while the build time is brought down to 5 1//2 hours. As always, do not forget to apply peeling cuts


Other General Practices


Models with


Build Multiple Models Too Closely

Avoid placing models too close to each other, too frequently.

SD300Pro is capable of producing multiple models at the same build but ensure leaving a 1 ~ 2 cm space between models. Too tightly placed models, with excessive peeling cuts will add stress to the PVC layer flatness, and similarly to previous examples, can cause unsuccessful model build or damage to the printer hardware.


Excessive/Unnecessary Peeling Cuts

Avoid apply excessive peeling cuts crossing each other, especially when these peeling cuts concentrate in one spot. Also avoid peeling cuts running very close to each other (again, the 1mm limit) as these will result in the same air bubbles as previous examples, where the model build will be affected and possible damage to the printer hardware may occur.


The End

Thank you

WelcomeSpecificationsCapabilitiesModelsModelsTechnology and operation conceptMaterial KitSupport RemovalThe WorkflowSDView application softwareGlossarySend ModelPrinter Status - QueuePrinter Status Printer infoGeometry capabilities What can you build ?Slide Number 21Example 2Slide Number 23Slide Number 25Slide Number 26Slide Number 27Slide Number 31Slide Number 32Slide Number 33Slide Number 44Slide Number 45Slide Number 46The End

Sd 300 Pro Training Tips Tricks

Documents

copyright solido

material kit plastic

build file

material roll

residual material

new plastic sheet layer

volume of material

model geometry