Welcome to printer software v1.39. In this release, we’ve included the following improvements to your print process:

Changes in how we print:

Print preparation improvements:

Additional improvements:

Carbon requires that customers update software regularly. With the exception of specified Version Lockable older version(s), Carbon does not support non-current software versions. If you require support but are running an unsupported software version, the first troubleshooting step is to move to a supported software version.

The following are supported printer software versions as of the publication of these release notes (March 2023):

The default print plans for printing elastomeric resins on L1, M3, and M3 Max printers have been improved to deliver significantly faster print times without hindering print success.

Elastomeric prints on L1 printers that use the default print plan are now 20-30% faster. On the M3 and M3 Max, elastomeric prints that use the default print plan are now 30-50% faster.

If you have struggled to achieve print time goals or target part costs for elastomeric parts, consider re-printing after updating to v1.39, as improved print times may alter production economics.

Note that estimated print times (pre-print) may not reflect experienced print time improvements. Print time estimates are based on fleet-wide data about past prints, and may over- or under-estimate elastomeric print times on the default print plan until our next software release.

Additional notes:

Various factors of Carbon’s DLS printing process and associated post-processing can result in part shrinkage due to mass loss. The outcome can be final parts that are different than the nominal dimensions in your 3D model.

Carbon has historically applied a scaling algorithm to parts to counteract the effects of mass loss. With the v1.39 software update, Carbon has updated our approach to scaling parts printed on the Carbon platform. This change applies to new projects; keep reading to learn more about options for handling existing projects.

This change includes two elements: a change to the mechanism by which parts are scaled (which impacts all resins), and new dynamic, geometry-specific scaling (which impacts only select resins).

Scaling Mechanism: In printer software ≤ v1.38, a scale factor is applied to each build at the time of printing by subtly adjusting the slices used to produce the print. Scaling applies equally to all parts within a build. In printer software v1.39, individual models are scaled prior to printing. No changes are made to slices at the time of printing.

This change to the scaling mechanism applies to all resins printed on Carbon printers.

Scale Factors: In printer software ≤ v1.38, each resin is assigned a pre-calculated scale factor based on mass loss observed in representative test builds. The same scale factor is used for all builds printed in a specified resin, regardless of part geometry.

In printer software v1.39, resins are classified into two groups: those highly impacted by mass loss, and those that are less impacted. For resins highly impacted by mass loss, scale factors applied to models are customized based on individual geometries. A build with many different parts may thus have many different scale factors applied (one per part). The following resins are highly impacted by mass loss and now individually scale parts based on geometry:

Note that for any given part printed in one of the above resins, the scale factor applied in software v1.39 will likely be different than the scale factor that was applied in software v1.38. The degree of difference will depend on part geometry, with the greatest differences observed when printing parts with relatively thin walls (<2mm).

All resins not listed above are less susceptible to the effects of mass loss. For these resins, a single static scale factor is applied to all parts within the build, regardless of individual part geometries. Scale factors applied are the same as those used in software ≤ v1.38. While the method of scaling has changed between software releases (see “Scaling Mechanism,” above), the actual scaling factor has not changed. Prints using resins not listed above will have substantially similar print outcomes when printed on v1.38 and v1.39.

When a user uploads one or more model files to the Print Prep UI and selects the desired resin, Carbon automatically analyzes the file(s) and applies an appropriate scale factor based on part geometry and resin.

If you wish to view and/or edit the scale factors that have been applied to your part(s), you can do so within the “Scale” section of the Print Prep UI.

Note that the allowable range for these new Correction Scale factors is purposely narrow (from 0.95 to 1.1). If you wish to make significant scale changes to your part (eg, 2x), please use the original “Scale” controls above.

When should I use “Scale” vs “Correction Scale”?

Carbon’s original Scale tool is intended to help you make wholesale adjustments to part size (for example, “I want this part to be twice as big”), without returning to CAD software. Scale factors (in x, y, and z) are applied in relation to the part’s original orientation at the time of upload. Changing the Scale factor of a part will remove any supports and/or labels that were previously applied.

The new Correction Scale tool is designed to allow you to make minor tweaks to adapt in situations when final part dimensions deviate from intended dimensions due to the impacts of printing and post-processing. Correction Scale factors (in x, y, and z) are applied according to the part’s current orientation in relation to the build platform. Changes to Correction Scale factors can be made without deleting supports and/or labels that were previously applied.

While this feature will generally drive improved print outcomes for a wide variety of parts, there are some important considerations if you are working with projects created on older versions of software.

If, after updating to v1.39, you open a project created on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38), duplicate a project created on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38), or upload a .carbon file created on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38), the part scaling method will not be automatically updated to the new method. In the top bar of the Print Prep UI, you will see a yellow alert on the Scale tool. You can then click to view the Scale interface, where you will be given the option to update the method used for part scaling. This action is voluntary; you are not required to accept the new scaling algorithm.

Generally speaking, if you are working with an existing/older project that currently meets your needs for dimensional accuracy (or if you have adjusted your part design independently to achieve the desired accuracy), we recommend that you do not update your correction scale. However, if you are working with a project that is still in development (particularly if the part is not yet meeting your needs for dimensional accuracy), we recommend that you click “Correct Project Scale” to apply the new scaling algorithm. Note that this action cannot be undone; you may wish to save an alternate version of your project before proceeding.

If you do opt to update the scale factors used on an older project, note that depending on part geometry, the newly scaled part may be slightly larger or smaller than it was previously. This may result in some or all of the following behaviors:

Care should also be taken in situations when a project prepared on printer software v1.39 is cross-queued to a printer on older software (≤ v1.38). In such cases:

If you create a project on v1.39 and then open that project on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38) (eg, by exporting a .carbon file and loading it onto a printer with older software), bounding boxes may be larger (or, rarely, smaller) than the actual part size, as bounding boxes may not resize with new part scaling. This could lead to the auto-layout tool providing unexpected results.

To avoid such outcomes, Carbon recommends updating your fleet of printers evenly if you expect to share projects across printers, cross-queue from printer to printer, or print projects stored in the cloud-based Build Catalog.

If you use non-Carbon software to prepare full build plates and then upload an entire build to the Carbon Print Prep UI as a single STL, note that scaling functionality may not work as expected, as Carbon will interpret your build as a single part rather than as multiple separate parts.

If you are unsure whether Carbon is interpreting an uploaded file as one part or many parts, check the Part List on the left-hand side of the Print Prep UI.

To learn more about how Carbon scales parts for accurate print outcomes, visit Carbon Academy.

In order to help customers achieve high accuracy in printed parts, Carbon routinely re-examines the print settings used for various resin and hardware combinations via controlled print studies. As a result of recent validation activities, Carbon has subtly altered print settings for select resins on certain hardware combinations. These changes will impact printed part dimensions in the xy plane. While changes will have a positive impact on overall part accuracy across a range of geometries and applications, customers should be aware of these changes and potential impacts on existing applications.

If you have questions about the impact of these changes on any specific applications (especially if you have a validated application and want help understanding how to navigate this change), please reach out to [email protected] for assistance.

A note about support structures: Carbon-generated supports will not be impacted by this change. If you regularly use non-Carbon supports that are imported into the Carbon Print Prep UI already connected to your part, note that thin support structures may be visibly and/or functionally impacted by this change. Reach out to [email protected] for application-specific assistance if needed.

A note about slicing: The Gen2 slicer may yield unexpected results for parts with multiple shells (including lattices) that are impacted by this change. Use the Gen1 slicer if you are printing a part with multiple shells under any of the printing conditions detailed above.

While Carbon printers are optimized to offer baseline printing capabilities that serve as many applications as possible, many users find that customizing a print plan (the instructions a printer follows during a print) can lead to improved outcomes. Historically, users have had access to only limited functionality for altering a print plan, and have relied on Carbon to provide custom print plans for key applications.

In order to enable customers to be more independent in optimizing applications, Carbon is pleased to introduce additional functionality for adjusting print plans for all Carbon printers. This feature is not automatically enabled for all customers at this time; to access this feature, please contact [email protected].

With this feature enabled, users can easily adjust print settings across a range of impactful parameters by clicking “Adjust Print Plan” from the Print Controls interface within the Print Prep UI.

Simple UI tools allow users to edit key print parameters for specific slice groups.

Click “Analyze Print Plan” to view graphs that help you visualize and validate what the printer will do during the print. Add or remove graphs as needed.

If, after updating to v1.39, you open a project created on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38), duplicate a project created on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38), or upload a .carbon file created on a prior version of software (≤ v1.38), your previous print plan adjustments will be automatically migrated to this new format. There will be no change in printing behavior between software versions.

Print Plan Adjustments are a powerful tool. A thorough understanding of print dynamics and printer functionality are required to use this feature successfully. If you wish to alter print plans, please complete the relevant training on Carbon Academy (login required).

To streamline common workflows, you can now select a resin when creating a project. If you have a default resin selected via your user settings, this default resin will be pre-populated.

This new workflow is optional; you may still opt to select a resin within the Print Preparation UI after project creation. Additionally, you can still change your resin selection after project creation.

To improve customers’ ability to accurately estimate the cost of projects and effectively plan production schedules, time estimates for M3 printers have been improved using predictions from machine learning models. While M3 print time estimates can never be perfect due to the impact of using force feedback technology to adjust the print plan in real time in response to in situ print forces, the time estimates are now more accurate.

While the features described above are the most noticeable and impactful changes in this software release, there are a few more minor changes you might want to be aware of.

The following issues have been resolved with this release.

Update for v1.39.0-1383.92

Resolved an issue that caused the Gen2 Slicer to perform poorly for parts with multiple shells (including lattices) on certain resin/hardware combinations.

Update for v1.39.0-1383.108

This update includes the following improvements:

Update for v1.39.0-1383.122

This update includes the following improvements:

Update for v1.39.0-1383.124

This limited-release update includes functionality required for select aligner manufacturers to begin validating Carbon’s Gen2 aligner production process.

Update for v1.39.0-1383.125

This limited-release update includes a fix to reduce the incidence of oxygen-related subsystem failures at power-up/initialization on M3 and M3 Max printers.

Update for v1.39.0-1383.128

This update includes a bugfix to avoid unnecessarily aborted prints due to an erroneous oxygen sensor alert. It will be deployed to select printers only on an as-needed basis.

Update for v1.39.0-1383.136

This limited-release update includes the following improvements:

Update as of October 16, 2024

The following features originally included in v1.39 are no longer supported:

No change has been made to installed printer software v1.39; this change in functionality reflects the removal of an external cloud-based service that previously powered these features. 

Advanced Autosupports remains visible in the v1.39 print preparation user interface, but no longer functions. Attempting to use Advanced Autosupports will result in a failure message with a 404 error.

Textures are an optional feature not offered to all customers; printers that did have Textures available will find that attempting to texture a part will result in a failure message with a 404 error. Because Textures was an optional feature that can be enabled/disabled via a cloud-based setting, Carbon can remove the option from the user interface upon request, without a change to locked, installed printer software. Contact [email protected] to receive this change if needed. 

While Carbon encourages customers to stay current with software updates to access the latest features and printing improvements, we recognize that some production applications have stringent validation rules, and may be better served by a stable software version. For this reason, Carbon offers a Version Lock program that allows customers to stay on a single, specified version of software for up to three years, with full support.

v1.39 is available for Version Lock. If you are interested in placing your printer(s) on Version Lock, contact [email protected].

If you currently have one or more printers on Version Lock v1.31, you will be required to update to v1.39. A Carbon representative will reach out to you to schedule this transition.

The following is not related to a software update, but is exciting news for users: Carbon has completed a study re-examining resin pot-life guidelines for our resins, and is happy to formally extend the recommended pot-life of certain resins as follows:

Note that resin formulations have not changed; this is simply a new guideline for how long dispensed resins may be used for printing. Resin pot-life recommendations can be accessed in full on Carbon Academy.

We love hearing from you about your workflow, your parts, and how we can improve. You can reach out to the Carbon Support Team at [email protected].