Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have made a significant leap in 3D printing technology. Their latest creation, Slicer 2, is the first additive manufacturing slicing computer application designed to both expedite and simplify the process of converting large-scale digital designs into physical three-dimensional parts. This innovation is poised to boost the capabilities for manufacturing objects as sizable as houses, potentially revolutionizing the production of items ranging from vehicles to components for space exploration. More on the groundbreaking development can be found at the ORNL news release.
The essence of slicing software lies in its ability to take a computer-aided design (CAD) digital model and transform it into a sequence of flat, 2D layers. These layers are then to be precisely printed one atop the other to create the complete 3D object. Slicer 2 streamlines this entire process, churning out instructions in a computer language that directly controls the 3D printing machinery. The potential impact of this enhanced technology extends to objects constructed from metallic and composite materials, with implications for land, sea, and aerospace industries.
Alex Roschli, a researcher at ORNL, emphasizes the critical nature of the software's precision, stating, "The quality of a 3D-printed object is directly related to the accuracy and complexity of the toolpaths that control the machine’s movements." He further explains that the ORNL Slicer 2 software directly interfaces with various types of 3D printers. This integration creates a cohesive platform that interacts with sensors to significantly improve print accuracy. Roschli's insights were revealed in the aforementioned ORNL report.
What sets Slicer 2 apart is its innovative approach to managing the slicing process for large-format 3D printing. With this technology, the once daunting challenge of producing large-scale objects logistically becomes far more feasible. The implications of such an advancement mean that facilities could soon scale the production of objects that were previously unattainable due to size restrictions. This development could swiftly open new horizons in manufacturing, particularly for industries focused on heavy-duty manufacturing and large-structure construction.
