Objective:

Learn how to slice an implicit body into an image stack for use with additive manufacturing printers that accept images.

Applies to:

• Additive manufacturing
• Slices for Open DLP and Binderjet systems

Procedure:

1. Prepare the part

• • Convert the part into an Implicit body 

2. Choose a Build Volume

• • If you are printing from an EOS M or Renishaw AM machine, there are built-in Build Volume blocks that you can choose from. 
  • If your machine isn't one of these, create your own build volume with a Bounding Box block

3. Orient the part within the Build Volume

• • Use the Translate Object block to move the part into the Build Volume
    • You may need to orient it or create support structures for an optimal build
      • How to generate bar supports under a part
      • How to use Minimum Support Orientations

4. Slice the part

• • Add a Slice Body to B&W Image Stack block
    • Path: Choose the destination to save the slices
    • Fill Suffix:
      • Toggled On: Names the files: "slice_001", where the number of 0's before the slice number is determined by the total number of slices. 
      • Toggled Off: The files are named "slice_1", with no 0's. 
    • Implicit: Insert the part you want to slice.
    • Layer Height: Define the spacing between the layers. You may need to check the printer settings for the appropriate range of heights.
    • Frame: This is the coordinate system for the build plate. It is auto-populated but may need to be edited depending on the printer settings. 
    • Print Volume: Insert the Bounding Box or Build Volume from Step 2.
    • The resolution is the number of pixels in the X and y directions. This value may change depending on your printer and desired resolution. The max image resolution support is 1 billion pixels.
      • Image X resolution: 1920
      • Image Y resolution: 1280
    • Greyscale bits: 8 bits
    • Feature Size: Set this to capture fine details. 

After all the inputs are filled, the block saves the resulting .png file format image stack in the zip folder defined earlier. 

And that’s it! You’ve successfully learned how to generate a B&W Image stack for manufacturing.

Are you still having issues? Contact the support team, and we’ll be happy to help!

Download the Example file:

• Example file

More on this topic:

• How to Create and Export Slices

• How to use Minimum Support Orientations
• How to generate bar supports under a part