Preparing a model for additive SLA

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In Fusion, preparing a design for 3D printing includes a number of steps:

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creating an additive setup,

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automatically orienting the part on the build platform of the printer,

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adding support structures to hold the part in place during the build process,

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and exporting the file for 3D printing.

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In this example, a desk hook design is prepared for 3D printing on a Formlabs SLA printer.

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To begin, from the Workspace menu, select the Manufacture workspace.

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Then, on the Additive tab, in the Setup group, click New Setup.

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In the Setup dialog, Machine group, click Machine.

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In the Machine Library, filter by Technologies by selecting SLA/DLP.

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SLA, or Stereolithography, is a VAT photopolymerization technology for depositing layers of UV cured resins.

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These resins can be cured using lasers, UV DLP projection, or a masked UV light configuration.

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To locate the printer, expand the Fusion Library and select Formlabs.

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Then, in the printer list, select Formlabs 4B.

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Click Select to add the machine.

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Next, in the Machine group, next to Print Settings, click Select.

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In the Print Setting Library, select the Fusion Library, choose the Formlabs SLA entry, and then click Select.

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In the Browser, expand Manufacturing Model 1, then Additive SLA v2, then Hook_V2, and finally, Bodies.

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Select the Hook_V2 body to use as the manufacturing model,

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and then click OK to create the setup.

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In the Additive Arrange dialog, set the Arrangement type to 3D Arrange and the Priority Type to Component, then click OK.

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This automatically arranges the hook within the build volume of the 3D printer.

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Once the hook is arranged within the build volume, you can orient it automatically.

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On the toolbar, expand the Position menu and select Automatic Orientation.

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With the orientation target active on the canvas, select the hook and then adjust the settings in the dialog as needed.

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On the Ranking tab, for this example, set the Support Volume to Medium,

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Support Area to High, Bounding Box Volume to Low,

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Part Height to Medium, and Center of Gravity Height to Medium.

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Fusion uses these priority settings to find the optimal orientation for the part.

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After configuring the settings, click OK.

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It takes a few moments to calculate the results, and then the Orientation Results dialog opens.

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Here, you can review the results and choose a rank.

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In this case, Rank option 9 works well and is selected.

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Click OK.

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The next step is to add support structures to hold the hook in place on the build platform of the printer.

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From the Supports menu, select Lattice Support.

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Then, in the Browser, select the Hook_V2 body as the supported model.

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To prevent supports from attaching to the threaded hole of the hook, select Avoid.

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Confirm that the unsupported target is active, then press and hold the Ctrl key as you select the individual faces of the threaded hole.

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Alternatively, if you have a predefined selection set, select it in the Browser.

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Leave the other properties set to their defaults, and then click OK.

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This processes the model and adds the supports.

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For many resin printers, it is often best to create an interface between the build platform and the lattice volume supports for build plate adhesion.

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To add this interface, expand the Supports menu and select Base Plate Support.

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Select the hook, and then click OK.

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With the hook positioned correctly on the build platform and the support structures in place,

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the final step is to create a file that can be sent to the printer.

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On the toolbar, in the Actions menu, select Create Machine Build File.

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In the Create Machine Build File dialog, select the Formlabs .form exporter,

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select both Include Support Structure and Include Volumetric Model, and then click OK.

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Select a location to save the file, enter a file name, such as “Hook V2”, and then click Save.

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Close the CAM Task Manager dialog.

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You are now ready to open the .form file in Formlabs software, so that you can 3D print the hook.