CAM software aka Computer Aided Manufacturing software is able to convert “.stl” files to G-code files which can be understood by the 3D printer. By this way, 3D printer recognizes how much filament it spends on a specific area and which infill type it uses. Also, motor actions such as speed and axis movements are able to be adjusted by G-code. Open source Slic3r software is the most common used CAM software.
For Slic3r Website, click here.
Now, Slic3r is running and we have to add a “.stl” file to Slic3r. To do this, we may click “Add” button on the top left corner or we may drag file to the area “Drag your objects here” directly. When file is loaded, the display below is shown on the screen.
We may view the model by double-clicking the object or clicking “view” button on the top menu. If you do so, 3D model of the object is displayed as shown below.
After shape of the object is verified, you can go on by adjusting “Print Settings” “Filament Settings” “Printer Settings” on the top menu.
Print Settings
General
Layer Height: It indicates thickness of every single layer. As layer height decreases, resolution of printed object increases but printing time increases. It is getting difficult to notice the difference for values below the 0.1 mm.
Perimeter: Printer begins to create object by drawing a solid outline around your object. Perimeter setting indicates how many solid outlines will be drawn. For thin objects, 1 or 2 is enough for this setting.
Solid layers: It indicates how many solid layers will be created on the top and bottom of the object.
Infill
Fill density: It sets what percent is filled interior of the object. For instance, if it is set to 0.4, object is filled 40%. If it is set 0, printer creates a hollow object.
Fill pattern: It indicates which algorithm is used while infilling.
Speed
Perimeter: Speed of creation of perimeter
Infill: Speed of infilling
Travel: Adjust extruder’s speed while extruder is moving one point to another and not printing.
Brim
Brim Width: It adds a perimeter for only first layer as the amount of entered value.
Filament Settings
Filament
Diameter:Indicates the diameter of feeding filament. There are 2 common diameters of filament which are 1.75mm and 3mm. It depends on the printer’s type.
Extrusion Multiplier: Adjusts the fine tuning of flow rate of extruder.
Temperature
Extruder: Adjusts the temperature of extruder during printing.
Bed: Adjusts the temperature of heated bed.
Printer Settings
Size and Coordinates
Bed Size: Dimensions of printing area are entered. It depends on printer.
Print Center: Sets center point for printing. Half of the “Bed Size” dimensions makes you print at the center of printing area.
Z offset: It is used to fix wrong calibrated Z-axis. If nozzle stops before hit the end stop, it can be set to negative value.
Firmware
G-code flavor: It is chosen which firmware will be used.
Extruder
Nozzle Diameter: Diameter of printer’s nozzle is entered here. Common nozzle diameters are: 0.35 and 0.5mm
Retraction
This option prevents melted plastic from dripping.
Length: Extruder retracts the plastic as the amount of entered value.
Lift Z: Lifts Z-axis as the amount of after completing every layer, but it slows down the printing speed.