Question 1

Is there is Disclaimer?

Accepted Answer

Why yes. Yes there is.
 
Although we have made this with the utmost care, there is only so much we can do in an online slicer. It is meant to help true pioniers overcome the first hurdle of printing. It will generate simple code to get you started.

Do not expect it to make all your robotic and gantry challanges magically disappear. You still need to know about robotic code or gantry operation.
 
We designed it because we were stuck in the early stages of our adventure and would have loved to have a tool like this to get it off the ground. That is what this is and we hope it helps you now as it would have helped us so much back then.
 
Please use it accordingly.

Question 2

It won't work. Why not?

Accepted Answer

Have you tried refreshing the page? Sometimes it likes to reload.
 
Please also be aware that the code is designed to slice simple objects. We want to enable starters to generate their first code. Geometries that are too intricate will result in an error message. Try slicing a simpler object.
 
SlicerXL is made available to you for free and we love to help, but it requires our engineers to sometimes work in the little hours left and when it is down it may take some time to get back online. We apologise for the incovenience. You can almost email us with urgent slicing needs.
 
Not what you were looking for? Perhaps the other answers below help.

Question 3

Why is it free?

Accepted Answer

We wanted to help out starting pioneers by removing one of the hurdles standing in the way of printing with a robot or large scale gantry model.

There are so many things to worry about and we hope we can make it a little easier. Additionally, for everyone involved it is also good exposure and it may even generate some business. By share to check out the partner's websites to see the awesome things they do.
 
We function under a Creative Commons license with attribution. For more information check out: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Question 4

What’s the difference between a Binary STL file and an ASCII STL file?

Accepted Answer

Binary and ASCII files store the same information. But while ASCII files store the information in text that is understandable to a human, binary files encode information in a way that only a computer can decode. Encoding information in binary uses much less storage space than ASCII while keeping the same information, meaning that the file can be loaded and saved much faster when in binary. ASCII STL files were used in older software, which can only understand ASCII STL. Unless you are working with older software, it is generally better to use binary STL files. When using our online slicer, we ask that you upload a Binary STL file rather than an ASCII STL file, so that the file will load much more quickly.

Question 5

What is Creative Commons?

Accepted Answer

Our project is made under a Creative Commons 4.0 licence. You are allowed to use and share anything you make on this platform - all we ask is that you mention clearly that it was made using slixerXL.com
 
Please use the text: "made with the help of slicerXL.com"
 
For more information on Creative Commons 4.0 please visit: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Question 6

What materials can be printed?

Accepted Answer

The slicer is built to cut a shape into layers and then coordinates. These are then translated to code. This code only tells the machine where it needs to go, so it is fully up to you what material you print with. Recycled plastic and concrete have already been done, but you can print ceramics or foam or chocolate or ice…go crazy.

Question 7

My model won’t upload, what should I do?"

Accepted Answer

Check that you have the correct file type. You need to upload a Binary STL. Check if your file doesn’t exceed the upload limit. If this still doesn’t work, try uploading it in any other .stl viewer such as viewstl.com to see if it is not a problem with you file. If all else fails, please contact us - info@slicerxl.com

Question 8

The print path has errors, what do I do?"

Accepted Answer

This slicer is designed to slice relatively simple geometry. Slicing complex shapes requires more experience and often some tweaks in the engine to overcome the challenges of your geometry. If this occurs please contact info@vertico3d.com for slicing help.

Question 9

So cool! How did you add this functionality to your site?

Accepted Answer

The answer lies in the experience and expertise of our contributing partner White Lioness technologies. They are the creators of the platform Packhunt.io (http://www.packhunt.io)which enables you to bring parametric models like this slicer to the web. For more information please contact info@white-lioness.com(mailto:info@white-lioness.com)

Question 10

Does it work on all robot models?

Accepted Answer

Currenlty we generate coordinates, so it is up to you to add the desired robot code.  If you want to help us with this don’t hesitate to contact us. Please email info@slicerxl.com

Question 11

The code doesn’t work on my printer. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately we cannot slice to your specific printer requirements. It is important that you have some knowledge of coding in order to make you printer run. What we deliver is the coordinates - the rest is up to you. If you do need help with getting your printer running please contact us at info@slicerxl.com

Question 12

Which 3D formats do you support?

Accepted Answer

Always use Binary .STL files.
If you don't have this format, the easiast thing to do is find an online converter or download an extension for your CAD model program.

Question 13

What is the difference between this slicer and the other slicers for 3D printing?

Accepted Answer

All current 3D slicers work best for small scale 3D plastic printing. This is because the filaments, nozzles and output format are more or less standardized. While this help the compatibility between software and hardware, it could be limiting as the software assumes certain parameters about the printing set-up. Large scale 3D printing varies largely in hardware, size, and material. We aimed  at developing a tool that reflects these variables and does a basic geometry slicing. We have integrated  the most common requirements of the set-up and dynamics of the materials for large scale print, namely:
Print path control:
In large scale printing, the print path continuity is an essential factor for success. In our slicer, it is possible to clearly plan and visualize what, where and in what order the machine will print. For example, in this slicer you can adjust the location of the print seam as well as the type of seam. 
Control points:
Another difference is the reduced number of control points for the print path – here, they are only generated where needed. 
Continuous line:
Most machines for large scale 3D printing do not have an integrated Start/Stop extruding function so it is important to plan a continuous line of printing. Small scale desktop plastic printers assume the extrusion can be stopped and restarted again when slicing, resulting in printhead traveling over the already printed geometry.
Output format text editor:
With our slicer, you have the ability to edit the output. You can export only coordinates of the print path, get the Gcode or customize the output by adding text before and after the coordinates. The last option is particularly useful in exporting code for robot arm set-up when you can add standard information like tool name, speed, and orientation and the slicer would generate out the instructions with your data included in the format.
Input format:
Most current slicers works best with solid geometries. Here, you can also use surfaces as input. This is particularly useful when the model is made in a non-CAD program such as Rhino, Meshmixer, Blender, etc.

Question 14

Print is collapsing. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

The quality of the print depends on many factors, such as air temperature, humidity and material properties. Try adjusting the model, reduce overhangs, speed, or if possible, the material itself. If you would like to consult on possibilities to improve your print strategy, set-up or mixture, make sure you contact info@slicerxl.com.

Question 15

Can I slice multiple objects?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, it is not possible at the moment. We advise to slice each object separately. If printing multiple objects simultaneously is crucial to your project, make sure you contact us and we could advise on further steps.

Question 16

There is an issue with the website. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Thanks for helping us improve the site and keeping it running. Please send us a quick email detailing the problem to info@slicerxl.com

Question 17

Can the slicer generate infill?

Accepted Answer

The slicer is still Work In Progress and we haven’t included it yet as most projects aim at printing the shell and pouring concrete where infill is needed. Another factor why it is not included, is the complexity of generating seamless filling. If the printing set-up does not have integrated Extrusion Start/Stop functionality, the infill must be done with a single continuous line which is not possible for all geometries. However, if it is crucial to 3D print the infill, make sure you contact us and we could advise on further steps.

Question 18

I have a complex model to slice. Can I get assistance?

Accepted Answer

Certainly! If you have research related questions, we advise you contact us at Saxion Research group Industrial Design. For production related questions, such actual 3D printing, hardware and materials contact Vertico, for developing online parametric tools contact Packhunt.io or email us at info@slicerxl.com

Question 19

Problems with offset?

Accepted Answer

Try changing the offset value in the range of +/- 3 mm. If you are still unsatisfied with the results, make sure you contact us and we could advise on further steps.

Support

This free online tool enables the slicing of large scale but simple models to get them ready to be 3D printed. Follow the steps and download the code for your robot or gantry.

Do you have questions about 3D printing? We have the answers.

Who can I contact?