Example Workflow

To create or edit a custom Configuration, and watch an animation of the build process, you may want to begin with modifying an existing configuration included in your machine’s workspace. This example workflow will assume the workspace of SLM Solutions’ SLM 125HL.

1. From a project with parts added, click to Create machine workspace. Pick SLM 125HL from the list.
2. In the parts tree, drag your part to be manufactured underneath the machine entry. A duplicate of the part underneath the machine entry will be created. Make sure to leave this duplicate part selected.
3. In the tabsheet of the machine workspace or the part itself, click to Change the configuration.
4. Select one of the offered Configurations of type Default, then click to Edit Configuration. As you selected a built-in configuration, you cannot modify it, but you will be asked to create a duplicate which you can then rename and edit.
5. Click the button to Change Type, and select to Change configuration type to Diagram.
6. You will be presented with a network graph representing the build strategy named Solid part. You can edit this one, or create a new build strategy using the Plus button next to the build strategy dropdown menu.
7. Creating a new build strategy asks for a name, then generates a new entry in the drop-down menu, selects it, and displays it in the Editor pane, consisting of only three blocks, one for each of original, support, and solidsupport, representing slice stack input.

   To print the slices at any filter step, mark the step as Set as result from its context menu. You could even want to send intermediate filters’ outputs to printing (for instance, to add a contour-hugging reinforcement of a wall), not just the last one on a filter chain.

   A word on Setting to result : Please make sure you set at least the last item in a filter chain as result. A filter chain without result cannot be saved, currently. If you forget to set a result, the entire preceding filter chain may be ignored and effectively discarded, even when you leave the Editor through any of the Apply buttons.

8. In the row of filter icons, click hatchfilling once, move it into the Editor pane, and click again to drop the block.
9. Click the button Create connection, second from the left, then click block original first, then block hatchfilling second.
10. Set block hatchfilling as result through its context menu.
11. Click Apply and Select.
12. In the Parts tabsheet with the part underneath the machine workspace selected, make sure to select your newly created build strategy.
13. Select tab Visualization. Do not be alarmed by the part vanishing. Click Recalculate preview.
14. Note the Layer Slider to the left. You can grab it and drag it all the way to the bottom. By modifying the settings for Layersize (only affecting Visualization) and cutting Mode such as Cut at current layer (gray), you can set the Visualization to your needs.
15. On tab Animation, you can have the build process animated. Keep in mind that not all layers are rendered, only those layers which match the increments set under tab Options, as well as the one currently being printed.

By going forth and back between animation and the Graphical Toolpath Editor, you can create and tweak your toolpaths to your needs.