This post has been updated in June 2020 to reflect new features and a new Advanced FDM workflow!
There’s no need to “dumb” your CAD files down to an STL format any longer if you’re a Stratasys 3D printer user. Building upon GrabCAD Print’s ability to read CAD files natively, our new Advanced FDM feature enables fine level control over how FDM parts are manufactured.
Our latest release in GrabCAD Print now enables Advanced FDM to read and select native CAD features from your CAD files. This includes native features, such as:
- Surfaces
- Holes
- Internal bodies
Traditional print prep software can typically only detect bodies.
Why You Should Check Out Advanced FDM in GrabCAD Print
Advanced FDM in GrabCAD Print is more intuitive and efficient than Insight and allows you to create more targeted structures. It’s not a complicated software. By simply selecting areas on the design model and specifying desired results, Advanced FDM automatically calculates the required tool path for all layers to produce the required part.
For example, in this latest release, you can now select which regions of your file to apply different levels of rigidity, strength, infill pattern, density, and wall thickness. This guarantees that your FDM printed parts come out exactly how you want -- not to mention, specifying your structural needs will ultimately cut down on print time and material cost.
GrabCAD Print Advanced FDM allows you to control the strength and rigidity of your CAD Files.
Why Your Engineers & Operators Will Love GrabCAD Print Advanced FDM
We’ve also made Advanced FDM in GrabCAD Print even easier to use. Now, you don't necessarily need a highly skilled application engineers to print high-quality parts. The new interface simplifies the process of preparing jobs and eliminates the need to manually edit tool paths locally.
Advanced FDM uses geometry-targeted tools to create purpose-built parts that minimize weight and material without compromising strength. It can allow you to build stronger, lighter parts with no complex software training required.
Dave Hewitson, a rapid prototyping programmer at McLaren explains:
The advanced FDM add-on for GrabCAD Print has been invaluable in improving our part processing time. When processing a very large number of tools and fixtures in a very time pressured environment, it was crucial for us to ensure that stronger tool areas were correct first time, every time. Advanced FDM has negated the need to use multiple programs to program these parts, creating a more streamlined process. Furthermore, it has enabled us to better control the structure of end-use car parts, something that was previously very difficult with the solutions we had to hand – allowing us to get better parts to the track faster.
But that’s not all...
Advanced FDM, which was introduced in 1.24 for the Stratasys F900, F370, and Fortus 450 and 380 printers, is now available for these additional printers: Stratasys F170, F270.
In the 1.43 update, we improved the workflow so you don't have to "enable" Advanced FDM. Now, it's automatically a part of GrabCAD Print. But don't worry! All the features created in your Advanced FDM project are still there. You can learn more about the new FDM work flow here.
Don't have GrabCAD Print? Download it for free here.
Try It Out!
Ready to try these features out? Here are three GrabCAD tutorials to test out these new applications:
- How to 3D Texture Your Parts for FDM Printing Using SOLIDWORKS 2019!
- How to 3D Print Jigs & Fixtures, Part 1: Choosing Your Target
- How to 3D Print Jigs & Fixtures, Part 2: Designing for Print
