About Additive Manufacturing Analysis
You can perform various analyses and checks on the models you intend to print. Additive manufacturing analysis is performed on the models, including the changes you applied to them in the Additive Manufacturing application. For example, if you changed the scale of the model on the tray in the Additive Manufacturing application, estimations are calculated based on those changes. You can perform the following analyses on the model you are about to print:
• Measure
• Printability Validation
• Global Interference
• Calculate Build
Measurement Analysis
You can measure the models on the tray inside the Additive Manufacturing application.
Printability Validation Analysis
Before initiating a 3D printing process, you can check your CAD model (to make sure it will print correctly) for printability issues. When you perform printability validation, the system displays the list of parts with printability issues, grouped by types. The list includes printability issues that the system found within parts, but not between parts.
The system lists the following types of printability warnings:
• Narrow gaps—Gaps that are too small to be printed. This list might include holes, extrusions, and other geometry.
• Thin walls—Walls that might break during the 3D printing process, or during the removal of the support material.
You can set the minimum values to be considered as warnings. The system allows printing a model that has printability issues. However, following the results of the printability validation, you can access the feature, fix it, and then print it. You can validate the printability of the model when no 3D printer is connected.
Global Interference
You can test your model for interference between each part or subassembly in a model.
Build Calculation
You can estimate the amount of required build and support materials, and the weight of the printed model, based on the materials that are available in the 3D printer.