HP Designjet 3D Printer series - Manual (Page 26)

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Processing your STL file for printing
Opening your STL file with HP Designjet 3D Software Solution:
1. Create an STL file using your CAD software. Refer to your CAD software help section for
more information about converting your CAD drawings into STL files.
2. Open the HP Designjet 3D Software Solution.
3. From the File menu select Open STL...
4. Navigate to and select the STL file that you have created.
Selecting layer resolution:
Layer resolution can be changed on the HP Designjet Color 3D printer. Changing layer
resolution will effect surface finish and build times. Selecting a smaller layer resolution creates a
smoother surface finish, but takes longer to build. Layer resolution also affects the minimum wall
thickness. Minimum wall thickness applies to the horizontal (XY) plane of your part. If a feature
in an STL is smaller than the limit, the modeler will increase the size of the feature to the minimum
wall thickness.
Selecting model interior fill style:
This establishes the type of fill used for the interior areas of the part. There are three types of
model interior that you can choose from.
• Solid - Used when a stronger, more durable part is desired. Build times will be longer and
more material will be used.
• Sparse High Density - This is the default model interior style and is highly
recommended. Build times will be shorter, less material will be used and the possibility of
part curl for geometries with large mass will be greatly reduced.
• Sparse Low Density - The interior will be “honeycombed” or “hatched”. This style
allows for the shortest build times and lowest material usage but will decrease the strength
of the part.
Selecting support style:
HP Designjet 3D Support Material is used to support the model during the build process. It is
removed when the part is complete. Support styles will affect the support strength and build time
of the print. SMART support is the default support setting.
• Basic - May be used for most parts. Basic support uses a consistent spacing between
support toolpaths.
• SMART - minimizes the amount of support material used, reduces the build time, and
improves support removal for many parts. SMART supports use a wide spacing between
toolpath rasters and change the shape of the support region. As the supports descend from
the underside of the part feature to the base of the supports, the support region shrinks and
transforms to a simpler shape to reduce the amount of material used and the build time.
SMART supports are suitable for all parts, especially those with large support regions.
• Surround - The entire model is surrounded by support material. Typically used for tall, thin
models.
Printer type Available layer resolutions Minimum Wall thickness
HP Designjet 3D .010 inch (.254 mm) .036 inch (.914 mm)
HP Designjet Color 3D .010 inch (.254 mm)
.013 inch (.3302 mm)
.036 inch (.914 mm)
.047 inch (1.194 mm)