Introduction
The global 3D printer industry is emerging faster and is expected to cross the revenue of $21billion by the end of 2022. The major portion of this huge revenue from 3D printing comes from using 3D printing in the manufacturing industry. Car parts 3D printing is one example, and Markforged Eiger Software for 3D printing is the best software for that purpose.
This guide will take you through Markforged 3D printing software’s working process, from design to a metal part’s function. It also briefly describes the software’s user interface and file management system, including its intuitive organisational hierarchy, and describes what makes the Markforged 3D printing software unique.
How To Navigate The Cloud-Based File Management System
The Markforged 3D printing software Eiger, has a smooth navigation system for cloud-based file management. It starts by creating a file that the software can parse. Unlike old-fashioned subtractive machines that rely on drawings and computer-aided machining, Markforged software makes STL files. For the best results, STL resolution is very important for exporting parts.
There are four stages of taking the model part to the final 3D printed part. The part’s surface is divided into smaller meshed triangles, so they can be exported to any CAD tool virtually, through the cloud-based management system. When the parts are exported, a few things need to be taken care of, such as the file size or the mesh quality. Before exporting STLs, it is good to determine triangle mesh density. Great mesh density means less file size, and less file size leads to a quicker process. However, a small file size may create accuracy in the printing.
How To Import, Reinforce And Kick Off Prints For Composite Parts
There are two approaches to designing components for 3D printers, just like any manufacturing process- optimised and non-optimised. While you won’t get in trouble with your printer, as your technician will, if you don’t consider fabrication techniques in your design, the part integrity will suffer. The general process for printing a metal part on Markforged printers will be covered in this section of the article: design, reinforce, print.
Step 1: Design
The same CAD file from which the machined design was taken should rarely be used to print a part. There is no guarantee that anything you print will work as planned, even if it fits within the printing volume. When designing with the production process in mind, it is possible to distinguish between success and failure.
Performance may be enhanced by making minor adjustments particular to extrusion printing, such as rotating an item on the build plate. The X and Y axes (left/right and forward/back) inherently have maximum hardness than the Z axis (up/down), which relies on bonding between plastic layers instead of the connections inside a plastic thread, since parts are built in each layer of plastic.
Step 2: Reinforce
Eiger software is a component of Markforged 3D printers, and Eiger.io offers a software demo. Markforged’s cloud servers handle all parts slicing, so you do not need to bother about print data being lost or damaged. You may set up your part in Markforged’s Eiger software once it has been created for additive manufacturing. This safe, cloud-based app walks you through the basic settings and component configuration, so you can start your printer and keep an eye on it from a distance.
Step 3: Printing
The print process starts as soon as you confirm that the build plate is empty and forward the data file to the printer using Eiger. The matrix plastic forms a “membrane” of plastic inside the component, connecting and supporting the sidewalls and fibre threads, and is generally vacuous.
Streamlining The Markforged 3D Printing Software Process For Printing, Washing, and Sintering Metal Parts
The three major stages of 3D printing include printing, washing, and sintering. These steps are unique and different from those followed in traditional manufacturing of 3D-printed metal parts.
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Printing
3D printing starts with a CAD tool where designing is done. The CAD file is then transferred to STL and uploaded to the Eiger cloud, configuring the parts digitally.
You receive an email as soon as your part is printed, which is in the green form initially. Next is the debinding process, for which the newly-printed part needs to be washed.
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Washing
In the second step of washing, the binding material is washed out with Markforged’s Wash-1. Washing starts by removing the green part and placing it into a solvent. The wash time can take a few hours or even days, depending upon the nature of printing. After washing, the part is then moved in to ‘brown part’ state.
Step 3: Sinter
The brown part is transformed into metal in sintering by gradually increasing the temperature. This way, the metal gets strength and durability. It takes around 1 to 2 days to complete one round. Once sintering is completed, the metal parts are ready for use.
Estimating Part Costs, Part Weight And Print Times
Weight Estimates
Eiger software works out the weight estimate, one of the fantastic new features of this application. To estimate provided accordingly, the estimator employs the densities listed on Markforged’s material data sheet. The weight of your item will automatically adjust as it slices to match the particular print parameters. The tool makes it simpler to control weight for your designs efficiently. It does not matter if you wish to save weight or already have little weight by the tooling for a robotic end-effector.
Part Pricing & Material Budgeting
Greater transparency about part costs and fibre routing effectiveness is provided by this technology. While our printer can provide continuous fibre reinforcement to 3D printed objects, creating robust yet affordable parts is crucial.
Many print providers and businesses that use Markforged’s solutions, report that creating quotations is now simpler. You may use several fibre routing strategies to compare expenses by using the cost estimate tool. You may also simply estimate the cost of your work using the component cost calculator, now that Eiger publishes the part’s entire material cost.
Print Time
Subtractive or rapid machining has the advantage over 3D additive manufacturing, the latter being slower than the former. However, several methodologies can be employed to reduce the printing time.
What About The Shrinkage In Sintering?
The metal is changed from soft to hard by sintering by heating the metal at an 80% greater melting point. When the temperature crosses the limit while sintering, it shrinks to 17% of its original size. The metal part is then cooled down to the temperature where it can be removed from the Furnace easily.
Does The Software Scale The Part Pre-Loading?
The high-throughput operations of Eiger Fleet allow for the simultaneous upload and configuration adjustment of hundreds of parts. Browse and print automatically generated custom reports with accurate information on printed component accuracy, utilising Blacksmith to fulfil corporate and customer quality and efficiency criteria.
What Makes Markforged Software Unique?
Because printers can create components automatically from design files, 3D printing in metal also enables automation. It provides geometric flexibility through additive techniques and drastically lowers the cost per item, by eliminating the requirement for tooling expenditure.
When Markforged introduced a second 3D printer nozzle, it changed the 3D printing game. The introduction of continuous carbon fibre significantly enhanced the strength and, thus, the utility of 3D printed parts.
To create and produce goods with the best performance possible, businesses may now link the virtual and physical worlds thanks to Markforged and the advent of the fourth industrial revolution. Only when systems are closely integrated and communicate effectively does this work.
Conclusion
Modern firms in the 3D printed automotive industry have already started utilising this high-tech tool to quickly prototype metal 3D printed items, or to print replacement components as needed. However, more production and manufacturing capabilities for technology and business are yet to be unlocked by Markforged 3D printing software.
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