Orientation (Sinter)

Orient the part in relation to the oven base.

There are several orientation methods available:

  • Max Height: Maximize the part's height for efficient printing and cooling.
  • Min Height: Minimize the part's height to achieve the shortest printing time.
  • Surface: Orient the print part in relation to a surface on the part.
  • Base Contact: Define surfaces in contact with the oven base.
  • Sag Preview: Preview the predicted gravity deformation of the selected part.
Note:
  • The Sag Preview tool does not adjust the part's orientation.
  • To use the Sag Preview tool, the Analysis solver must be set to SimSolid in the Preferences.

Maximize or Minimize Height

Maximize or minimize the part's height during sintering. You may wish to consider deformation, efficient use of oven space, and other factors when choosing the best orientation for your part.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
  2. Select an orientation method.
    • Click the Max Height icon to orient the part's longest dimenstion parallel to the vertical axis during sintering.
    • Click the Min Height icon to orient the part's shortest dimension parallel to the vertical axis during sintering.
  3. Optional: Enter a Distance in the microdialog to configure the distance between the part and the oven base. The default distance is 0 m. Set a different distance if you are using a setter to separate the part from the oven base.
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Orient the Print Part to a Surface

Orient the print part in relation to a surface on the part.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
  2. Click the Surface icon and then select a surface on the part. The selected surface will be rotated to face the printing bed with its normal oriented toward gravity.
  3. Optional: Enter a Distance in the microdialog to configure the distance between the part and the oven base. The default distance is 0 m. Set a different distance if you are using a setter to separate the part from the oven base.
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Base Contact

Manually designate surfaces as being in contact with the oven base.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
  2. Click the Base Contact icon.
  3. Select one or more surfaces. The solver will treat the selected surfaces as if they were in contact with the oven base.
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Sag Preview

Preview the part’s gravity-driven deformation with SimSolid without running a full analysis.

Prerequisite: The sag preview is not available unless the analysis solver is set to SimSolid in the Preferences. To change the solver, select File > Preferences > Inspire > Run Options > Analysis solver.
  1. Click the Orientation icon.
  2. Select the Sag Preview icon.
  3. Use the Analysis Explorer to view the part's predicted deformation.
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Check Stability

See whether the part will stand or fall during sintering, based on its current orientation.

First, designate a print part and create an oven.
  1. Click the Orientation icon.
  2. Select the Check Stability icon.
  3. The animation illustrates the part's predicted behavior.
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.