Researchers designed ORNL Slicer 2 with more than 500 settings that control the internal structure, shape, temperature and other parameters of individual parts, layers or regions. It also interfaces with simulation software that shows complex heat and stress relationships during the additive manufacturing process. The software works with pellet thermoplastic, filament thermoplastic, thermoset, concrete, laser wire welding, MIG welding and blown-powder directed-energy deposition additive manufacturing systems. 

“This connectivity translates into improved machine commands that increase reliability and repeatability of the additive manufacturing process,” said Roschli. “The result of this software is that additive manufacturers can produce large factory parts with fewer machines and less cost than traditional machining methods.” 

Research for ORNL Slicer 2 is performed at the Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. The MDF, supported by DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, is a nationwide consortium of collaborators working with ORNL to innovate, inspire and catalyze the transformation of U.S. manufacturing. ORNL Slicer 2 is an open-source computer program available on GitHub and used by more than 50 equipment manufacturers, industrial end users and universities. 

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit energy.gov/science.

This Oak Ridge National Laboratory news article "Updated software improves slicing for large-format 3D printing" was originally found on https://www.ornl.gov/news