AutoFab: New version 1.2 released

Update Information AutoFab Version 1.2

Detailed information in PDF format for download

The update (Build 5390) for the previous AutoFab version 1.0 contains the improvements over the previous version described below.

1. "Boxed"-Version with printed manuals in German and English:

With the new version 1.2, the full "boxed" version of AutoFab will include a printed manual.

The manual for AutoFab is now available in both German and English. In addition to the printed manual, the installed software also includes the online manual as a PDF file. The PDF manual can be opened from AutoFab with the menu item "? -> Help" or directly with the F1 key.

2. Segmenting of the support connection to the build platform:

For all support types, the connection of the support socket to the build platform or substrate plate can now be segmented. This makes the supports easier to remove from the build platform, which can be useful particularly for build processes with "soft" wipers.

Segmented support connection

The "Socket platform contact" can be enabled or disabled in the material data for every support type and freely parameterized. For this purpose, the new sub-page "Segmentation" has been added in the material data for each support type, which also contains the previously available parameters for segmentation of the support connection to the part.

3. Multiple contour offsets within a build style:

Previously, it was only possible to generate one contour offset in a build style in addition to the actual contour path. With the new version, any number of additional contour offsets can be generated in a build style.

For this purpose, the new parameter "Offset number" was added in the material data on the parameter pages for the build styles. The parameter is available on both sub-pages "Volume" and "Overhang" (see next item).

When using the contour offsets, note that these are defined and generated independently of the contour spacing of the hatching area. In other words, the parameter "Contour space" under the stripe hatching will always be calculated from the original contour and is independent of the contour offsets. For this reason, the contour offsets can also be generated overlapping with the actual hatching area.

4. Splitting the contour offsets at overhang and volume areas:

In addition to the use of multiple contour offsets (see above item), contour offsets can now also be split between overhang and volume areas just like the actual contour path. Accordingly, a build style can now contain both vector types "Overhang offset hatch" and "Volume offset hatch". For both vector types individual laser power parameters can be defined on the overview page of each build style.
It is also possible to generate contour offsets in the overhang completely independently of the volume area. In other words, for example, it is possible to generate a larger number of contour offsets with a lower offset distance in the overhang relative to the contour offsets in the volume area.

Multiple contour offsets within a build style

Individual contour offsets at overhang areas

Accordingly, the parameters for the contour offsets are now available independently of each other on the sub-pages "Overhang" and "Volume" on the parameter pages of each build style in the material data.

When splitting the contour offsets, it is important to note that these are no longer generated as a closed polygon chain but rather as an open polygon line that is not supported by all machines.

For example, it is not possible to save split contour or offset paths and transfer them to the Realizer machine in the F&S format. For this reason, it is necessary to generate the contour offsets in the overhang and volume areas with identical parameters. In addition, identical laser outputs must also be defined on the overview page of the build style for both vector types "Overhang offset hatch" and "Volume offset hatch".
In this case, AutoFab detects that the border offsets are identical and exports a closed polygon chain which can be used with the Realizer machines.

5. Importing and exporting material and machine files:

Material and machine files can now also be imported and exported.

Corresponding function buttons for file import and export are now available for this purpose in the material and machine management dialogs (menu item Settings->Machines and Settings->Materials).

Machine database with new functions for import, export and update of machines

6. Updated material and machine files:

The new version 1.2 contains updated as well as additional material and machine data. During installation of the new version, these are initially only saved to the installation directory of the program.

In other words, the existing machine and material settings of the previous version are not overwritten.

The new version 1.2 contains updated as well as additional material and machine data. During installation of the new version, these are initially only saved to the installation directory of the program. In other words, the existing machine and material settings of the previous version are not overwritten.

Instead, AutoFab informs you the first time you start the program that new or changed material data are available. These can be selected and transferred to the material or machine data with the new "Update" function within the machine and material management dialogs.

Material database with new functions for import, export and update of material settings

Updating of a material or machine file will overwrite any existing files with identical names. For this reason, we recommend first saving your material and machine data with the new "Export" function (see above item).

7. Parameter for material density in the cost calculation:

Previously, the material price was given in euros per liter for the cost calculation. This has now been changed in the material settings to a value of euros per kilogramme (see Material settings->Cost estimate).

In order that the calculated part and support volume can be correctly converted to the new material price scheme, it is therefore necessary to also enter the material density. The new parameter "Material density" can therefore now be defined for a material in the material settings. This is then used accordingly in the cost estimation.

8. Extended parameters in the slice generation:

By default, the triangular data (STL) remain in the program memory after slice generation for a part. For this reason, it is possible even after layer generation to switch back to the triangular data at any time via the "Slices" switch on the "Generate slices" function page in order to make subsequent changes to the STL part, for example.

However, this flexibility also increases the memory requirements of the program, which can result in memory problems for complex parts. For this reason, it is now also possible to delete the STL data immediately after slice generation. The new switch "Delete triangles" on the function page "Generate slices" is available for this purpose.

Additional advanced parameters for slice generation were also introduced and are available in the material settings on the new sub-page "Slice generation". These are expressly optional parameters that generally do not need to be adjusted. Additional details on the parameters can be found in the parameter descriptions in the AutoFab manual.

9. New function group "Adjust mesh":

The new function group "Adjust mesh" in the "Geometry" function area contains new and expanded functions for qualitative adjustments and optimization of the triangular surface (mesh) of a 3D model.

Improve mesh quality: This function will enhance the triangle quality of the mesh by moving vertices and without changing the number of triangles. Vertices will be moved that all interior angles will have neary 60 degree (equilateral triangle) if possible. At the same time the maximum allowed deviation to the original surface will be kept. An optimized triangle mesh quality will reduce problems with degenerated triangles at the geometrical editing of a part with CAD functions like booleans, offsets or labelling.

Reduce triangles: The existing method (Fast) has not considered the obtained triangle quality at the triangle reduction. Therefore, the triangle reduction sometimes produced nearly degenerated triangles which could cause problems at the follow-up geometric editing of a part. The improved function now offers two additional reduction methods which will take the obtained triangle quality into account (Fast with quality and Precise with high quality), but they differ in calculation time and precision.

Remesh surface: The existing triangle mesh will be recalculated according to defined parameters (remeshing). Especially the designated triangle quality can be controlled by different parameters (minimum and maximum edge length, maximum surface area, maximum deviation, minimum quality etc.).

10. Open export format for AutoFab (AFF):

The AutoFab Fabrication Format (AFF) is an open export format from Marcam Engineering for transferring build data for layer-based manufacturing processes. It supports all build styles, exposure types and output values used in AutoFab. To this extent, it is possible to transfer all options and settings of AutoFab to the manufacturing machine via the AFF format.

The open and freely available AFF format can therefore be seen as an interface for future additive manufacturing machines and applications.

Interested persons may request the specification of the AFF interface directly from Marcam Engineering GmbH.

11. Various detail improvements and bug fixes:

Based on user suggestions, numerous other improvements have been made to program operation and reported bugs have been fixed.

Help us to further improve the program by informing us if you have problems using the software or if you discover bugs. To assist in locating bugs, AutoFab saves a memory image to your computer in event of a crash. The next time the program is started, you are informed that a memory dump has been created and you are asked to send this to us.

The memory dump ("Crash dump") gives us information about possible causes for program crashes. This makes it significantly easier for us to identify and correct bugs, and you benefit with improved versions of the program.