CS 285: SOLID MODELING

Running Your Design through QuickSlice:

• In SLIDE: save your design as an .STL file.
• (If it is more then a few Mbytes) compact your file with: gzip -9
• Move your file to where you run QuickSlice (or FTP it to where the FDM machine is in 2115 Etcheverry).
• Start QuickSlice: From Start ---: Programs ---: QuickSlice_V6.2-qsmc ---: QuickSlice.
• Within QuickSlice do:
  • File ---: Open ---: STL ... Choose your {FILE.st.gz}
  • Close System Set-up window.
  • Shade -: Shade_Model ... Examine your shape;
    -: Top; -: Front, -Right; -: Iso ... View model from different angles.
  • Orient stl -: Rotate, e.g., ---: x -: -90 ... Choose a good build orientation (minimize heigth, overhangs).
    -: Scale ... Choose a reasonable size (one to two inches high).
  • Shade -: Shade_Model ... Go back to wire frame mode
  • Slices -: Create_Sclices ... Generate default slices 0.01 inches apart.
    Z_Level -: (/\) {up-triangle} ... Step through the layers individually and inspect them.
    Examine them all; make sure they are all red, closed, and represent your design.
    -: All ... see composite of all slice contours.
    -: Current ... back to viewing individual layers.
  • Supports -: Create_Supports ... Calculate the scaffolding support regions.
    Z_Level -: (/\) {up-triangle} ... Again, examine all layers individually.
  • Supports -: Create_Base
    Z_Level -: (/\) {up-triangle} ... Examine the five base layers. (A horizontal buffer zone on the foam core basis pad)
  • Roads -: Create Roads
    Z_Level -: (/\) {up-triangle} ... Examine the planned nozzle paths.
    Make sure that the walls are thick enough, so that they can accommodate the outline-roads along the red contours
    as well as some amount of internal zig-zag-fill roads to give the walls sufficient physical strength.
  • Roads -: Estimate_Build_Time ... Should be less than 12 hours.
  • If you wanted to make this part ...
    File ---: Save ---: STL ... Save your scaled, rotated {FILE.st.gz}  -- To have the final design handy with proper scaling and orientation.
    File ---: Save ---: SSL ... Save the various contours generated. -- In case you had to do a lot of editing and want to preserve that work.
    File ---: Save ---: SML ... Save the calculated roads (= nozzle-paths). -- This is the file that would be sent to the FDM machine.

To Actually Build Your Part on the FDM 1650:

• Transfer your  .SML file to the computer next to the FDM machine in 2115 Etcheverry, and place it somewhere under "users"
  
• Open FDM Send ... in dialog box then choose your .SML file.
• Start the FDM machine ... {more on that later}