About Rules

Rules are set of parameters you can define to automatically generate a step in the process. For example, you can define rules to automatically generate supports, based on the parameters defined.

This page discusses:

You can also define rules to:

  • Position parts on the build tray, using Build Layout
  • Generate supports on a region, using Support Creation
  • Generate slicing contours, using Slicing Generation
  • Generate scan path, using Scan Path Generation
  • Save process parameters to reuse them in another additive process, using Build Setup

Rules for Positioning Parts on the Build Tray

You can create rules to position parts on the build tray.



The following parameters are available:

Parameter Description
Manufacturing Orientation Frozen When selected, locks the part rotation. Only the rotation around the axis normal to the build tray is activated.
Distance Between Part and Build Tray Distance between the part and the build tray once the part is positioned on it.
Distance Between Part and Build Tray Frozen When selected, locks the distance between the part and the build tray.
Minimum Distance Between Parts Distance between the positioned parts.
Clearance on Build Tray Border Distance between the build tray and the top of the machine.
Minimum Height Between Parts Height distance between part layers. This value cannot be less than the value for Minimum Distance Between Part.
Nesting Options Select one of the following:
  • Nesting 2D With Bounding Box of the Part: Nests products based on a 2D bounding box.
  • Nesting 2D with Real Contour of the Part: Nests products based on the real contour of the part in 2D.
  • Nesting 3D With Bounding Box of the Part: Nests products based on a 3D bounding box.
  • Nesting 3D with Real Contour of the Part: Nests products based on the real contour of the part in 3D.
Success Criteria

Select one of the following:

  • Number of parts (default value): Nests all the parts on the build tray, and stops when a first solution including all the parts is found.
  • Reach density: Lets you define a density value between 0 and 100% (the default value is 10%).

    The nesting process stops when a solution with this density is found. The density is computed by dividing the nested parts' volume by the build envelope's total volume.

  • Minimize build height: During the nesting process, the build's top height is minimized.

Note: It is only available if Nesting Options is set to either Nesting 3D With Bounding Box of the Part or Nesting 3D With Real Contour of the Part.

Clicking Generate Nesting automatically positions the parts on the build tray according to the defined parameters. For more information, see Positioning the Parts on the Build Tray.

Alternatively, you can position manually the parts on the build tray using the Robot.

Rules for Generating Supports

You can generate supports by creating rules that apply to the whole part or to specific zones of the part only:

  • Manually generate support structures, using Create Manual Supports .
  • Assign or edit a support rule, using Create or Edit Rules .
  • Propagate current part to product support structure on positioned part, using Propagate Structure .

For more information, see Rules for Generating Supports.

Rules for Process Parameters

Process parameters include build and layer parameters. It is possible to save these process parameters in a rule to reuse them later in another additive process.

Table 1. Build
Parameter Description
Minimum Temperature The machine temperature when the additive process starts. By default, the value is 600°C.
Scanning Iteration of First Slice Repeats the scan on the first level. By default, the value is 1.
Table 2. Layer
Recoater Parameters Description
Pending Time Before Recoating The time before the powder is spread across the build chamber.

By default, the value is set to 0s
Recoating Time The time in which the powder is completely spread. By default, the value is 10s.
Recoating Break time The time in which the roller stops. By default, the value is 1s.
Pending Time After Recoating The time before scanning the slices.

By default, the value is set to 0s
Recoating Direction The direction in which the recoating is done.
Recoating Traverse Speed The speed of the recoater when the powder is not applied.
Recoating Application Speed The speed of the recoater when the powder is applied.
Note: You can show the recoater as a gray rectangle on the machine with Hide/Show Recoater in the Setup section of the action bar.

Specify the value of the recoater in the Recoating Direction section of the Reference Parameters dialog box.

Chamber Parameter Description
Gas Flow Flow of the gas inlet.
Note: You can show the gas flow as an arrow on the machine with Hide/Show Gas Flow in the Setup section of the action bar.

Specify the value of the gas flow in the Gas inlet direction section of the Rules Management dialog box.

Scanning Parameters Description
Part Order Scanning Select one of the following:
  • Default: Scans the parts in the same order as they are positioned on the tray.
  • Right to Left: Scans the parts from right to left.
  • Left to Right: Scans the parts from left to right.
  • Downwind to Upwind: Scans the parts from downwind to upwind, depending on the defined Gas Inlet Direction value.
Order Scan Paths By Scans the parts one after the other.
Support First When selected, scans the supports first. By default, the check box is not selected.
Minimum Time for a Layer Defines a minimum time for the recoater to wait before spreading the powder.
Note: Scanning parameters are not used during simulation. They are taken into account in the output file only.

Rules for Scanning

Scanning parameters include global, continuous, and point to point. It is possible to save these scanning parameters in a rule to reuse them later in another additive process.

Table 3. Global
Parameter Description
Beam Power Specifies the beam energy input. By default, the value is 1W.
Beam Diameter Specifies the beam diameter. By default, the value is 0mm.
Jump Speed Specifies the default speed of the beam between the end of a track and the start of a new one. By default, Linking Speed is 3m/s.
Delay After Jump Specifies a duration where the bean is turned off after a jump. By default, the value is 0s.
Table 4. Continuous
Parameter Description
Scan Speed Specifies the scanning speed. By default, the value is 1m/s.
Table 5. Point to Point
Parameter Description
Beam Exposure Time Length of time a point of the part is exposed to the laser beam.
Point to Point distance Distance between two consecutive points of the same scan path.

You can link a scanning rule to the scan path definition inside the scan path rules. To do so, select a rule from the Scanning Rule section in the Scan Path tab, then edit the rule you selected by clicking Rules Management . Once you select a scanning rule, you can assign one or several types to the scanning rule, such as core, down-skin, and up-skin. This is to filter the scanning rules in the Scanning Rule list from the scan path definition. If you select None, you can then create a new scanning rule to add using Add Rule .

Rules for Anchors

It is possible, for any type of supports, to define anchors between the supports and the part. Anchors are thinner than supports, allowing you to remove the support structure more easily from the manufactured part.

For more information, see Rules for Generating Anchors.