Print a small part (also called a coupon) to measure the deformation of the material
after printing, and use this data to calibrate the print analysis.
Prerequisite: Designate a print part.
The first time you calibrate a material and set of print
parameters, you will need to physically print a calibration coupon to obtain data needed
for calibration. After the calibration is complete, the calibration will be available in
the Calibrations menu when running an Inherent Strain analysis on your part. A
calibration is valid only for the specified set of material and print parameters.
-
Click the Calibration
icon.
-
Click Export Coupon. Inspire creates an .stl file of the
calibration coupon. Name the .stl file and save it.
-
Print a physical copy of the calibration coupon.
Note: When printing the calibration coupon, be sure to use
the material and parameters you intend to use for the part.
-
Measure the printed calibration coupon's deformation at D1 as illustrated in
the Run Calibration window.

- Optional:
In the Name field of the Run Calibration window, enter a
name for the calibration run. (Inspire automatically generates a unique
name.)
-
In the Powder Layer Thickness field, enter the thickness
of the powder layer. This information is unique to the printer model and should
be available from your 3D printer.
-
In the Deformation D1 field, enter the value of the
deformation as measured at the center of the printed calibration coupon. This
value cannot be 0.
Note: The solver will use this value to compute the
inherent strain that would cause this deformation.
-
Click Calibrate to run the calibration. A Run Status
window opens. When complete, the calibration data is saved to
C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Altair\Inspire\Manufacturing\Inherent_Strain_Calibrations\
Tip:
- Double-clicking a completed calibration run will not open an Analysis
Explorer window.
- Completed calibrations are available in the Calibrations menu of the Run
Print Analysis window when the Inherent Strain analysis type is
selected.
- A calibration is valid only for the specified set of material and print
parameters.