How to Use Adaptive Slice in GrabCAD Print

Stratasys

24 Aug, 2020 06:48 PM

Adaptive Slice is a new software feature in GrabCAD Print that automatically changes the slice height of your FDM part depending on a number of aspects in order to save on time while still keeping the finer details and overall quality. Learn how to enable the new feature in this tutorial!

1. Step 1: Overview

   GrabCAD Print’s new feature offers FDM users a new way to save on material, time, and money when 3D printing. In this tutorial we will review:

   
   

   • What is Adaptive Slice
   • Enabling Adaptive Slice
   • 3D Printing with Adaptive Slice

   
   

   Watch the video below to see how Adaptive Slice cuts your print time down:

   
   

   Download the model: Shower Caddy

2. Step 2: What is Adaptive Slice

   Adaptive Slice is a new software feature in GrabCAD Print that automatically changes the slice height of your part depending on a number of aspects in order to save on time while still keeping the finer details and overall quality. 

   
   

   It changes the slice height based on a part’s external surface angle. If you have a wall that is relatively shallow, GrabCAD Print will use a finer slice height. If you have walls that are steep, a thicker slice height will be chosen.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Step 3: Enable Adaptive Slice

   This software feature works with the following Stratasys printers:

   
   

   • Stratasys F270
   • Stratasys F370
   • Fortus 450mc
   • Fortus 900mc
   • Stratasys F900

   
   

   It is also able to take advantage of all FDM materials.

   Selecting a slice height of 0.0100 in (0.2540 mm) or 0.0070 in (0.1778 mm) will enable the Slice Style under Tray settings. 

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   This software is best used for parts that are:

   • Tall parts with straight or nearly vertical sides
   • Single bodied parts
   • Non-assemblies

   
   

    *Right now, Adaptive Slice doesn't support multi-body parts or assemblies.

4. Step 4: 3D Printing with Adaptive Slice

   Selecting Adaptive under Slice Style will immediately change the slice heights for your part where it is needed!

   
   

   

   
   

   After selecting the adaptive slice style all you need to do is the slice your part to see the time and material saving changes!

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

5. Step 5: In Summary

   Adaptive Slice gives you the best of both worlds because it automatically changes the slice height based on a part’s external surface angle. We can have a happy medium between part quality and time, making this a much needed and wonderful addition to GrabCAD Print!

   
   

   Try this new feature today by downloading the latest version of GrabCAD Print!