Optimizing the Orientation
- Simone Dal Poz
- Dominik Lindenberger
- Felix Bauer
- Dennis Hezel
3YOURMIND platform support the calculation of pricing of automatically oriented parts.
Configuration in the Service Panel
Go to Service Panel > Materials > Material > Pricing and activate one of the Orientation Optimization Options:
When choosing an orientation optimization based on the support structure, you can also activate Use orientation with different support structure. This allows you to specify settings for calculating the support structure that will be used by the orientation optimization algorithm. The final price however will be calculated using the settings under Support Structure Pricing.
Because running the orientation optimization algorithm takes some time, the user has to perform one additional action in the Basket to calculate the price if Orientation Optimization is active:
In case there are several materials with the same setting for Orientation Optimization then triggering the price calculation for only one of them automatically calculates the prices for all of those materials.
Orientation optimization types
Z-height minimization
This type of orientation optimization minimizes the height of the printing model, and thus the printing time. Commercial 3D printers can add material to a printout much more efficiently when the model lies on the xy plane.
When to use:
When the running cost of machines is much higher than the material cost
When the printouts are either single objects or 2D nested platforms
When not to use:
When the printouts are 3D nested platforms
When the surface quality is critical
When the support material is somewhat expensive
Support area minimization
This type of orientation optimization minimizes the area of contact between model and support structure, i.e. the surface area that needs to be cleaned and polished during postprocessing.
When to use:
When the cost/effort of postprocessing is relevant
When the surface area quality is an absolute priority
When not to use:
When support structure material is cheap, soluble or easy to remove
Support volume minimization
This type of orientation optimization minimizes the volume of the support structure.
When to use:
When support material cost is high, or when minimizing the wasted material is an absolute priority.
When printing time is somewhat important.
When not to use:
When support structure material is cheap, soluble or easy to remove
Examples
FDM, printing with PLA: Z-height optimization
PLA is inexpensive and a good surface quality can be obtained by finding a good base for the object. Costs for running a FDM machine are high compared to material costs. FDM works best with single objects or 2D nested objects.
FDM, printing with ABS + postprocessing: Z-height optimization
ABS is inexpensive and a good surface quality will still be assured by the postprocessing. Costs for running a FDM machine are high compared to material costs. FDM works best with single objects or 2D nested objects.
SLM, printing in non precious metals: Support area optimization
SLM requires special tooling for postprocessing. Postprocessing is costly and time consuming.
DMLS, printing in gold: Support volume optimization
Minimal material waste is critical. Surface quality may be taken care of during postprocessing.
Defined variables in javascript pricing formula:
If orientation optimization is activated, customers will be able to manually calculate the pricing of a printout after the material is selected.
The pricing formula variables which will be influenced by the activation of the orientation optimization feature are the following:
Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Height of the 3D model in mm |
| Width of the 3D model in mm |
| Depth of the 3D model in mm |
| Bounding box volume of the 3D model in mm3 |
| Volume of the solid support structures in mm3 |
| Area of the model connected to support structures in mm2 |