(1) General
Layer Height refers to the thickness of every single layer. Someone calls it resolution as well.
Shells refer to the number of loops for the models’ walls.
Maximum Shells overlap percentage refers to the max percentage of overlap between shells. When the overlap percentage of the lines from one single shell loop is larger than the set value, the shell will be replaced to be solid fill structure.
Print Shells in Optimal Order refers that with this function enabled the shells would be printed with optimizing order for reducing the travels paths and retractions.
(2) First Layer Settings
First Layer Height refers to the thickness of the model’s first layer.
First Layer Flowrate refers to setting the flow rate at the first layer set as a percentage of filament flowrate. Flowrate refers to how much plastic the printer is extruded to extruder.
First Layer Extrusion Width Percentage refers to the percentage of first layer extrusion width. For example: If your extrusion width is 0.4mm, and you set this value to 120% then the first layer extrusion width is 0.48mm.
First Layer Solid Fill Pattern Type refers to the solid fill pattern for the model’s first layer.
Figure 1:Select a " First Layer Solid Fill Pattern Type" depending on the model type.
Figure 2: Set " First Layer Solid Fill Pattern Type" set as "Lines".
Figure 3: Set " First Layer Solid Fill Pattern Type" set as "Rectilinear".
Figure 4: Set " First Layer Solid Fill Pattern Type" set as "Concentric".
First Layer Solid Fill Extrusion Width Percentage refers to the percentage of first layer’s solid fill extrusion width. For example: If your extrusion width is 0.4mm, and you set this value to 120% then the first layer solid fill extrusion width is 0.48mm.
First Layer Solid Fill Flowrate refers to setting the flow rate at the first layer solid fill set as a percentage of filament flowrate. Flowrate refers to how much filament the extruder is extruded.
First Layer Shells refers to the number of loops for the models’ first layer wall.
(3) Layer Start Point
Layer Start Point refers to the position where the nozzle will start move from at each layer.
Layer Start Point Type has three options can be set as.
Figure 5: 4 types of Layer Start Point.
Nearest refers that the layer start point will be placed at an optimal position to save the time of movement.
Fixed refers that the layer start point will be placed as close as possible to the specified position. Note: If you select Fixed as your start point type, you can set X & Y’s value to
define a position. ideaMaker will set a closest position based on the position you set.
Random refers that the layer start point will be placed randomly over the model.
Auto refers that the layer start point will be placed in the Reflex Corner or Convex.
Corner according to the Seam Hiding settings. If ideaMaker can’t find a suitable corner setting, the layer start point will be selected close to the position of Fixed Layer Start Point automatically.
Fixed Layer Start Point X refers to defining the X position of the layer start point.
Fixed Layer Start Point Y refers to defining the Y position of the layer start point.
Note:
1. When the Build Plate Shape is Rectangle, Fixed layer start point x=0 and y=0 refers to the bottom left corner of the platform.
2. When the Build Plate Shape is Ellipse, Fixed layer start point x=0 and y=0 refers to the central point of the platform.
Seam Hiding:
Place Seam on refers to placing the seam on the specified corner of the shells. There are four types in all: None, Reflex or Convex Corner, Reflex Corner and Convex Corner.
Note: When applying “Layer Start Point Type=Fixed”, set “Place Seam on” to “None” if you want all start points to be in the same position.
Avoid Placing Seams on Overhang with this function enabled, ideaMaker will place seams away from the overhangs to avoid curling and wrapping at the edges.
Note: The Overhang are detected as the option of Overhang Shells Detection.
(4) Other
Spiral Vase Mode means that the model will be printed out to be single outline corkscrew vase structure with no retraction. This mode will transfer the model to vase-like structure with only outer shell, no infill and open top surface. Z axis will move slowly by spiraling upwards.
Spiral Vase Mode Path Interpolation with this function enabled, under Spiral Vase Mode, if there is a large gap between the Upper and Lower layers in XY direction, ideaMaker will add an interpolation to evenly transition to the next layer. If it is disabled, ideaMaker will keep the original structure for printing, it may cause overhang or gap between layers.
Single Shells Surface Mode means that when this function is enabled, the model will print one single shell only, with no infill, no top or bottom solid fill as Figure 6.
This function is for non-manifold models, such as airfoil and so on.
Figure 6: The "Single Shells Surface" function is enabled.
Figure 7: The "Single Shells Surface" function is disabled.
Shell and Infill Order means that when this function is enabled, the printing order of Inner Shell, Outer and Infill can be customed as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 8: Four options of "Shell and Infill Order".
Print Parts in Same order for each layer refers that the models will be printed under a specific order in each layer. For single model the order in which each structure above each layer is printed is the same as Figure 9. For multiple models the order in model above each layer is printed is the same and the orders depend on models import order as Figure 10.
Figure 9: Single Model.
Figure 10: Multiple Models.
Minimal Segment Length refers that the minimal length of extruded line segment.
Note: The Minimal Segment Length is to avoid creating extremely small extruded line segment that could affect the print result.
Merge Nearby Lines refers that the distance of two nearby lines less than the value you set, they would be merged.
Minimal Part Size refers to the percentage of first layer extrusion width. For example: If your extrusion width is 0.4mm, and you set this value to 80%, then the minimal part size is (0.4mm*80%)*(0.4mm*80%) = 0.1024mm², ideaMaker will automatically remove the structure less than 0.1024mm².
Figure 11: The "Minimum Part Size" is set to 100% (left) and 30% (right) respectively.
(5) Dimensional Compensation
XY Size compensation for Contours refers to the compensation for the measured error of contours, especially for the expanded or shrunken object.
Note: Positive values increase the outline of the model and negative values decrease the outline of the model.
XY Size compensation for Holes refers to the compensation for the measured error of holes.
Note: Positive values decrease the holes of the model and negative values increase the holes of the model.
(6) Small Features
Note: Parts detected as “Small Features” can be printed at different speeds and fill densities to enhance print results. Common small features such as pins, which require slower speed to print, have a lot of time to cool the material. Also, higher fill densities can increase the strength of the pins.
When the diameter of a selected area is lower than the set value, or when the diameter of holes on shells is lower than the set value, these sections will be printed out with the settings of Small Features, which requires lower printing speeds and increases infill density.
Figure 12: The Difference Between Small Features and Non-Small Features Printing.
Small Features Diameter refer to the regions of detected small features diameter is smaller than defined value will be printed with Small Features settings.
Small Features Holes Diameter refer to the shells at holes of detected diameter is smaller than defined value will be printed with Small Features settings.
Small Features Speed Multiplier refer to the printing speed percentage of the detected small features’ regions.
For example: if the Small Features Speed Multiplier is 50%, set the Infill Speed to be 80mm/s, which means the small features’ infill regions will be printed at the speed of 40mm/s.
Small Features Infill Density, with this function enabled, the infill density of detected small features area will be set as defined value.
(6) Elephant Foot Compensation
Elephant Foot refers that the model’s first layer is expanded and it looks like the elephant foot.
First Layer XY Size Compensation for Contours refers to the first layer’s compensation for the measured error of contours, especially for the expanded or shrunken object.
Note: Positive values increase the contour of the model and negative values decrease the contour of the model.
First Layer XY Size Compensation for Holes refers to the first layer’s compensation for the measured error of holes.
Note: Positive values decrease the holes of the model and negative values increase the holes of the model.
Figure 13: The Layer Tab.
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