GradCAD release notes 1.24

Note for PolyJet users: Please update the Job Manager from the Printer Settings screen. More info.

Interested in trying new features of GrabCAD Print before they are released? You can test the latest version of GrabCAD Print in your environment as part of the  Early Visibility Program.

GrabCAD Print version 1.24, November 2018

Build number 1.24.15.46944 released on 20 November 2018

• GrabCAD Print Advanced FDM provides a powerful yet intuitive toolset to obtain desired part characteristics by automatically controlling FDM build attributes.  By assigning attributes directly to your CAD file’s geometry, you can specify areas of strength and rigidity, control infills, ensure sufficient material around holes with inserts, and avoid seams.  All necessary tool paths are then automatically calculated without requiring manual manipulation of individual layers- ultimately reducing the time it takes to prepare a job while improving overall part quality.Advanced FDM is available for select printers (F370, 380mc, 380mc CF, 400mc, 450mc, 900mc, and F900), and is available under File > Preferences > FDM.
• OBJ files can now be added to GrabCAD Print with colors, associated .mtl file and visual textures, for PolyJet printing. This feature needs to be enabled in File > Preferences > GrabCAD Labs. To know what is supported, go here.
• Materials that are newly available are supported in GrabCAD Print, including VeroCyan Vivid, VeroFlex Cyan/Magenta/Yellow Vivid & Agilus 30 White on the J750/J735, MedABS and Med615 on the Connex3, Antero 800NA on the F900, and an all-new flexible material for the F123 Series called FDM TPU 92A. Note that the new materials for the Connex3 and J750/J735 require an update to the embedded software.
• When a PolyJet printer is selected, a new display mode available in the top row of buttons above the 3D viewer will allow the user to see where support material will be placed on the surface of the model. This determines the boundary for a glossy finish.
• Some FDM printers now offer an optional setting to use variable width fill for internal part builds. When set, variable width tool paths are automatically placed wherever gaps remain between default-width tool paths that are less than the default width and greater than the minimum width for the given tip size. This is supported for the F900, F123 Series, and Fortus 900mc after the latest firmware update is installed. Firmware updates for the Fortus 380mc and Fortus 450mc will be available soon to support this feature.
• Updates to the job details panel in Schedule View to visually indicate how much material is estimated to be used for that selected job. Tooltips show users how much material will be estimated to be remaining on the canister or cartridge upon job completion. For FDM, the first queued job will indicate how much material will be on the canister/cartridge when the job starts.
• The job details panel in Schedule View will now list the tip sizes & build resolution required for the job for FDM printers. This is useful for users to check what’s required for the job vs. what is currently loaded on the printer.

John Dessoffy
Field Service Manager
Computer Aided Technology, LLC