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Prepare Build Plates: Slicer

This SOP explains how CS Ops creates or reuses build plates for calibration and validation, applies the saved customer preset, and exports G-code files for the extractor. Follow the correct path based on whether the printer already exists in the Global Calibration Library.

Use this module only when build time is relevant for customer's costing / pricing.

Inputs

  • Saved customer preset exists in the slicer (from Save Customer Preset: Slicer).

  • Printer path decision (reuse vs new printer).

  • Build project files from Global Calibration Library, if available.

GrabCAD Print exception: if the slicer is GrabCAD Print, follow GrabCAD Print Exceptions (Use with Main Workflow) for this step.

Required folders:

  • CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Build_Projects

  • CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_CAD

  • CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Gcode

  • CS_Internal/Validation_Run/Validation_Build_Projects

  • CS_Internal/Validation_Run/Validation_CAD

  • CS_Internal/Validation_Run/Validation_Gcode

Step 0: Choose Printer Path

Complete this Module if you haven't done so yet:
Reuse Or Add Printer: Global Calibration Library

  • Check Global Calibration Library for the printer.

  • If printer exists: reuse build projects (Path A or Path B).

  • If printer is new: create build projects (Path C).

Step 1: Open Customer's Build Project and Save the Settings Carrier File

Open the slicer and open customer's project file under User_Upload/02_Slicer_Project

Save customer's print settings (preset)

Create the settings carrier file: Save the whole project as [CustomerName - Printer - Material - Important Parameter].3mf under CS_Internal/Evidence

Slicer videos:

  • Cura:

  • Bambu Studio:

  • PrusaSlicer: See Bambu Studio video above

  • GrabCAD Print: Go to the exception article

Step 2:  Load Customer Settings Before Starting Build Plate Preparation

Open the slicer

Open the settings carrier (.3mf) file from CS_Internal/Evidence
This settings carrier should have been created above.

Slicer videos:

  • Cura:

  • Bambu Studio:

  • PrusaSlicer: See Bambu Studio video above

  • GrabCAD Print: Go to the exception article


Step 3: If Path A/B | Reuse Existing Build Projects

For each build project file under CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Build_Projects

  • Drag & drop into the slicer and import models only
  • In Bambu Studio: Make sure there is at least one part on the build plate. Otherwise, there is no option to import the models only. See the video below.

  • Make sure the machine, material and print settings are current customer's combination

  • Save the .3mf file (whole project) under CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Build_Projects or /Validation_Build_Projects
    This step requires overwriting the existing file.

  • Slice and export G-code to the corresponding Gcode folder
    CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Gcode or /Validation_Gcode

Slicer videos:

  • Cura:

  • Bambu Studio:

  • PrusaSlicer: See Bambu Studio video above

  • GrabCAD Print: Go to the exception article

Step 3: If Path C | Create New Build Projects For A New Printer

Create calibration and/or validation build plates using the CAD files under:

  • CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_CAD
  • CS_Internal/Validation_Run/Validation_CAD

Use judgement for plate fill levels.
Use a mix of partially filled and fuller plates.
Video - Plate Fill Judgement:
This video was recorded using Cura Slicerbut the judgement logic applies to all slicers

 

Save the .3mf file (whole project) under CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Build_Projects or /Validation_Build_Projects
This step requires overwriting the existing file.

Slice and export G-code to the corresponding Gcode folder

  • CS_Internal/Calibration_Run/Calibration_Gcode

  • CS_Internal/Validation_Run/Validation_Gcode

Slicer videos:

  • Cura: [[VIDEO_LINK_CURA_BUILD_PLATES_TBD]]

  • Bambu Studio:

  • PrusaSlicer: See Bambu Studio video above

  • GrabCAD Print: Go to the exception article

Step 4: Record What You Did

 In CS_Internal/Evidence/Onboarding_Execution_Note.docx, record:

  • printer path used: reused or new printer

  • slicer used

  • preset name used

  • count of calibration build projects exported

  • count of validation build projects exported

Completion Criteria

You are done when:

  • calibration build projects exist and calibration G-code exports exist

  • validation build projects exist and validation G-code exports exist

  • Onboarding_Execution_Note.docx exists describing what was exported