#PREFORM FORMLABS UPDATE#
#PREFORM FORMLABS FULL#
#PREFORM FORMLABS SOFTWARE#
#PREFORM FORMLABS FREE#

People only use STL as a last resort, not because it easy to use (it not).ĭuring the late 90s Engineers have opt out STL and in favour of STEP (less so for IGES) as universal standards. But for those situations, I simply import it in to one of my many CAD and/or format conversion programs and export the STL I need for the printer. I do have situations where I find a model file on a site like GrabCAD and it’s not available in STL.

I’d be interested in understanding an example use case if you have the time to explain… I’ve never had a situation where I needed to edit supports more accurately than PreForm lets me place them. STL is more than sufficient to meet/exceed the resolution of the Form2.

And I’d argue that for what the printer does, a different native format would not result in improved prints. But ultimately, as Frew says, a STEP would need to be converted by PreForm in to something very much like a STL since that’s the native format the printer is designed to interpret. They generate smaller files because the geometry is more “abstracted” (a curve isn’t approximated by multiple discrete points like in a STL, it’s got a start point, an end point and a radius). STEP (and to a slightly lesser extent IGES) are much more complicated to support and much less universally supported. And almost everything can read/write STL. That’s because it’s a non-proprietary standard that is very easy to support in software, using math that most of us learned in High School.

#PREFORM FORMLABS SOFTWARE#

STL isn’t required by printing software, however most printing software uses STL.

#PREFORM FORMLABS FREE#

STL is a burden not a benefit for engineers.Į - Benefit to Formlabs as well, as they can have access to open source library like CrabCAD and other free 3D CAD library for downloads IN WHICH MAKERBOT IS ALREADY DOING. As STEP file is generated from a true solid CAD from engineering CAD software like Creo, Solidworks, Unigraphics. No other industries uses STL anymore like CNC or CMM or CAD CAM or PCB gerber file or Laser cutting (vector based).ĭ - Much easier to repair or modify. (surface CAD).Īs the Preform supports generation are too limiting, meaning the Preform should be allowed to export as STEP, STL or OBJ along with the supports for customisation.Ģ - In Preform, there will be many benefit of using 3D STEP beside using the outdated STL files (so last century):ī - True geometric shapes & details, which unlike STL that uses polygons to construct an approximate 3D mesh structure.

#PREFORM FORMLABS UPDATE#

The free PreForm 3.20.0 update includes a completely redesigned 3D packing algorithm built to achieve the highest packing density possible on the Fuse 1.1 - This is for support modifications / improvement originated from Preform and edit it back in Solidworks, Creo (solid CAD) or 3D Max, Maya & etc. The updated 3D packing function is available for all Fuse 1 customers. The packing algorithm is also said to reduce the preparation time for Fuse 1 print jobs by 73%, which saved Formlabs’ Berlin-based print farm three hours of work time, daily.Īccording to the company, the algorithm was developed and tested against thousands of print jobs and in simulated prints, with results indicating it’s competitive with other leading 3D packing software solutions. Using the PreForm software, the highest packing density possible on the Fuse 1 helps users achieve high throughput and increase material efficiency to fill as much build volume as possible with printed parts, the company says.įormlabs says its internal teams’ initial testing indicates the PreForm 3D packing algorithm collectively reduced the cost of prints run during that time by 29%. The feature also gives the option to pack only specific models while keeping others locked in place.

#PREFORM FORMLABS FULL#

The company says its Fuse 1 printer provides affordable access to high quality selective laser sintering (SLS) printing technology, with the free PreForm software designed to improve packing density for less leftover powder with each print and a lower cost per part.įuse 1 users can give the packing algorithm full control of model orientations or lock orientations of models before packing. Photo Credit: Formlabsįormlabs’ PreForm software was developed to enable printing production-ready parts and highly functional prototypes at a more efficient rate and lower cost. Formlabs’ Fuse 1 SLS printer is designed to expand access to production-ready 3D printing.

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