1 Topic by mcrat

  • mcrat
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Topic: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

Greetings,

I bought my son a DaVinci for Christmas.

We can successfully print objects with it, from library files created by other people.

But when I make STL files to feed into to it with my CAD software:

   It reads the STL file in perfectly.  The file starts out as true water-tight solid from the CAD model, then is exported to STL.  The DaVinci software shows a graphical representation of it perfectly.  The slicing function does slice it.  However, negative cavities (specifically, text letters and artwork) sunk into the top surface 0.040" deep (1mm) do not slice correctly.  It fills the words in flush to the surface.

The object is just a simple rectangle 2mm thick x 150mm Y, x 50mm X (a cellphone plaque), with the top edges rounded 1.5mm, then it has negative cavities for the letters and art.  Very simple object.

Is there better slicing software? 

Or is there a trick to make the slicing software behave correctly?

I've played with the settings a lot, and still can't get the art to appear.  2308 polygons make up the STL file.

2 Reply by rawkstar320

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Re: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

There is definitely better software out there.  You can use Slic3r, which is nice and simple, along with the XYZmod (http://voltivo.com/forum/davinci-softwa … repository) and you will immediately see better results. :-D

3 Reply by scotthay

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Re: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

I had a similar problem with a topographical map that I made a while back.  It would look fine until sliced then it was just a solid rectangular box.  I don't think I figured out the problem, I just re-made the .stl file from scratch and the 2nd time around it worked fine.  Have you run it through netfab?

4 Reply by scotthay

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Re: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

Here is the thread where I was having that problem.

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/8099/xyz … -my-print/

5 Reply by mcrat

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Re: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

Thanks!

I did create 6 different versions of the STL file, metric, inch, embossed (negative), and punch through.  Used both planar extrusion method and boolean subtraction methods.

What is NetFab?

I will try Slic3r with the XYZmod.

6 Reply by bah2830 (edited by bah2830 2015-01-09 19:56:39)

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Re: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

NetFab is commonly used to repair imperfections in the mesh. What may seem perfectly solid in a modeler can have small holes that cause slicers to tear it apart in odd ways.

Microsoft offers a free NetFab cloud service that I use on everything. I have yet to find anything it can't repair. Just upload, wait for repair to complete, and download.

STL go in, better STL come out.

Link: netfabb.azurewebsites.net/

7 Reply by mcrat

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Re: Newest DaVinci - Slicing software fails.

OK, I did some more reading, and ended downloading Solidify3D ($140 US) which can be loaded on 2 computers.
It completely replaces the XYZPrinting software and feeds via USB into the Da Vinci.

No other changes, fixed it immediately, printing right now.

My CAD system checks "water-tightness" of exported solids down to 0.00005".  It won't even make STLs that have gaps bigger than that, and all the solids it makes are even tighter than that.

So this problem was simply that the XYZPrinting software has bugs in it.