Printer UI

Project Analysis

14min

Project analysis is the last step before printing a project. The analysis provides print stats and warnings for a few potential print defects. This lesson will show you what tools you have available inside the Printer UI and how to use them.
Print Stats
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Print Time Estimate*
Use this for quoting and production scheduling.
* Minor variations in actual print time may occur.
Required Resin Volume
This is the minimum amount of resin to dispense.
For multiple prints, add the part and support volume for each additional print
View Details
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Full project details are also available from the Project Analysis tab. 
Click “View Details” to access this information
Estimated Increase in Soil Load
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For users with Part Washer(s) in their fleet, analysis provides an estimated increase in soil load per solvent type.
Unvented Volumes
Project Analysis detects unvented volumes in the project. Unvented volumes are trapped internal spaces that develop vacuums during printing. The pressure build up in the vacuum traps resin and causes defects.
Reference DLS Printer Dynamics for more information.
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Drag the slider to assess red areas flagged by the software.
This [1st] red area is falling within the support structure.
The gaps at the base of supports are suitable to vent small areas.
Larger areas may need you to create a gap for venting.
This [2nd] red area is at a blind hole.
Small blind holes surrounded by thick walls may print fine.
Larger blind holes with thin walls may require a vent hole.
Slices
Project Analysis detects blank slices in the project. 
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Slice Video
Projects are printed with a video of slices. Slices are cross sections through the part where UV light is projected through the liquid resin to cure it into a solid.
Blank slices skip a frame in the slice video and result in defects.
It is recommended to always view the slices to look for additional slice errors.
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Viewing slices before printing is recommended.
No blank slices are detected in this build.
A blank slice would appear as a flicker in the slices video...
...leading to print defects in the part.
Also look for slice errors
Look for areas of white that do not belong.
This curing additional resin on the part.
Blank slices and slice errors require the .stl file to be repaired in a 3rd party repair program.
Islands
Project Analysis detects unsupported islands in the project. 
Island shown circled
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Island Example
An island is a portion of the part that begins printing while not being connected to the platform or the rest of the part.
Without supports, an island feature will fail to print intact.
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Click the arrows to view the slices with a detected island
Look for red areas
Supports are needed here
No islands detected after supported added
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Updated 06 Jan 2025

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