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Slicing Your Model

Setup​

"Slicing" is the process of turning a 3D model (typically an STL file) into a series of layers that a 3D printer knows how to print. CHTL’s printer uses a slicer called Bambu Studio; open it on the workshop laptop! You can find it in the dock at the bottom of the screen:

You’ll be greeted with this interface. There’s a lot here, but most of it we don’t need to deal with. Start by taking your model (STL file) and dragging it into the interface. You can also choose File > Import. I’m using a boat as the example:

If you haven’t already done it, click “Sync info” and then “Continue to sync filaments” to ensure Bambu Studio is in sync with the filaments loaded into the printer.

Ensure that the following settings match what is shown in the photo:

  • Printer is “Bambu Lab X1 Carbon”
  • Bed type is “Textured PEI Plate”
  • Nozzle diameter is 0.4 and flow is “Standard”
  • All the filaments loaded into the printer will be shown under the “Project Filaments” section. You’ll select the one you want to use in a later step.
  • Under "Process", the profile is "0.20mm Standard @BBL X1C"

More advanced settings are given below, but we'll ignore them for now and use the defaults. If you're interested, you can hover your mouse over most options to get more information about what they do. Some settings also contain links.
Changing any settings will affect the selected profile. If you ever want to revert back to the original profile, you can click the orange undo button either on an individual setting or on the profile as a whole. Changing a setting will turn the section (and the setting) orange so it’s easy to tell when something has been altered.

Slicing​

Once you’re satisfied with your settings, click “Slice Plate” in the upper right hand corner. Bambu Studio will transform your model into a series of moves for the 3D printer to make to create it!

You can see the estimated print time in the box that appears on the right -- this is quite accurate, so do note whether or not you have time to print the model while the tool library is open.

In some cases, Bambu Studio will automatically add a brim around your model. It does this when it detects areas that are likely to not stick well. This brim can be easily removed after the print is complete, so we recommend keeping it.

It may also give a warning to consider enabling supports, if the file has large overhangs.

You can ignore these warnings if you want, but you can also enable support if you want to be safe. Typically, very small overhangs and overhangs under 45º are OK without support, but this is somewhat of a judgment call. If you decide to add support, click the "Support" menu on the left hand side, check "Enable support", then re-slice the model.

Adding support will increase the odds of the print succeeding, but it will also use more plastic and that extra plastic will need to be removed. With support, a rabbit model looks like this: