Creating a Configuration
Configurations play a crucial role in accurate estimations within the BuildPlateZ platform. This is why entering accurate data when creating configurations will provide a more accurate estimation.
However, you don't have to input all print properties. BuildPlateZ only needs the fields that directly influence the time needed for printing and the material weight.
Basics
Adding a new Configuration is done from the Configurations page under Machines -> Configurations in the main header menu by clicking on the "Create Configuration" button on the top right.
After giving your config a name and specifying the print process this config is to be used for, you can choose how you wish to enter the properties:
Upload a Configuration file
Currently only Prusa Slicer configuration files (.ini) are supported. If you have a Prusa Slicer configuration file, you can upload it here. The platform will automatically extract the necessary properties from the file and fill out the form below.
You can edit the imported properties if necessary.
Use a Template
BuildPlateZ comes with several FFF and SLA Print Config templates that you can use as a starting point. You can select one of these templates and the platform will fill out the form below with the properties from the template. You can edit the properties if necessary.
Manual entry
You can manually enter the properties for the Configuration. The form comes pre-populated with default values. Use the tooltips to get more information about each property if you are unsure what to enter.
When creating a Print Job and specifying a configuration, you have the option to override any of the properties in the configuration. This allows you to make small adjustments to the print settings without having to create a new configuration.
FFF Properties
| Layers & Perimeters | |
|---|---|
| Layer Height (mm) | The base height of each layer in the print |
| First Layer Height (mm) | The height of the first layer in the print |
| Perimeters | The number of perimeter walls |
| Top Solid Layers | The number of solid layers at the top of the print |
| Bottom Solid Layers | The number of solid layers at the bottom of the print |
| Speed | |
|---|---|
| Perimeter Speed (mm/s) | The speed at which the perimeter walls are printed |
| External Perimeter Speed (mm/s or %) | The speed at which the external perimeter walls are printed |
| Infill Speed (mm/s) | The speed at which the infill is printed |
| Solid Infill Speed (mm/s or %) | The speed at which the solid infill is printed |
| Infill | |
|---|---|
| Fill Density (%) | The density of the infill |
| Fill Pattern | The pattern style of the infill |
| Support Material | |
|---|---|
| Support Material | When 'ON', support material will be generated |
| Auto | When 'ON', support material will be generated automatically |
| Buildplate Only | Support material will only be generated on the buildplate |
| Style | The style of the support material structure |
| Extrusion Width | |
|---|---|
| Extrusion Width | The width of the extrusion. Keep in mind the nozzle diameter this config will be used for |
| Others | |
|---|---|
| Nozzle Diameter (mm) | The physical diameter of the nozzle |
| Spiral Vase | When 'ON', the slicer will attempt to print the model in a single continuous spiral |
| Travel Speed (mm/s) | The speed at which the print head moves between print areas |
| First Layer Speed (mm/s or %) | The speed at which the first layer is printed |
| First Layer Acceleration (mm/s2) | The acceleration at which the first layer is printed |
| Travel Acceleration (mm/s2) | The acceleration at which the print head moves between print areas |
| External Perimeter Acceleration (mm/s2) | The acceleration at which the external perimeter walls are printed |
| Infill Acceleration (mm/s2) | The acceleration at which the infill is printed |
| Solid Infill Acceleration (mm/s2) | The acceleration at which the solid infill is printed |
SLA Properties
| Layers | |
|---|---|
| Layer Height (mm) | The base height of each layer in the print |
| Initial Layer Height (mm) | The height of the first several layers in the print |
| Initial Layers | The number of initial (bottom) layers to print before the normal layers |
| Exposure | |
|---|---|
| Exposure Time (s) | The time each layer is exposed to the light source |
| Initial Exposure Time (s) | The time the first layers are exposed to the light source |
| Off Time (s) | The time the light source will be off between each layer |
| Supports | |
|---|---|
| Support Material | When 'ON', support material will be generated |
| Buildplate Only | Support material will only be generated on the buildplate |
| Movement | |
|---|---|
| Z Lift Distance (mm) | The distance the build plate will lift between layers |
| Z Lift Speed (mm/s) | The speed at which the build plate will lift between layers |
| Z Retract Speed (mm/s) | The speed at which the build plate will retract between layers |
| Pad | |
|---|---|
| Use Pad | When 'ON', a pad will be generated below the object |
| Pad Wall Thickness (mm) | The thickness of the pad walls |
| Hollowing | |
|---|---|
| Hollowing | When 'ON', the model will be hollowed |
| Hollowing Wall Thickness (mm) | The thickness of the hollowing walls |
Adding a Configuration to a Machine
In order for a Machine to be able to use the new Configuration you are creating, it has to be added to said machine. This can be done from the Machines page under Machines -> Machines in the main header menu. Edit the machine you wish to add the Configuration to and select it from the Configurations dropdown.
Note that you can add a Configuration to a Machine only if their Print Processes match.
Read more about Machines and creating them.