CeraSlice is an exclusive CAD/CAM software dedicated to component manufacturing using InkJet printing.

Its bottom-up approach allows the definition of printing parameters depending on material and component characteristics for 2D & 3D multi-material items directly from design files (CAD files).

All the parts or sub-parts of components can have their own unlimited set of parameters in order to meet all the requirements of the device without making any compromises.

Moreover, the software offers a printing simulation stage that allows the user to visualize the print script graphically and quickly identify possible difficulties in order to address them.

CeraSlice is an exclusive CAD/CAM software dedicated to component manufacturing using an InkJet Printing Process. It therefore fills an important gap in manufacturing using an InkJet printing process. Indeed, up to now, there was no logical link between component design files and print script generation. To make the link, users had to use an old image format (tiff, bmp, etc.) stemming from the graphic design sector. This format is particularly inappropriate for component manufacturing. It causes many problems and difficulties, because of its limitations and the impossibility of taking into account component and material requirements. The exclusive CeraSlice software therefore represents the link between component design and print script generation. The designer can use the advanced design tools, including CAD software functionalities, to design a component. He can import the design files from his usual software (DXF, STEP, Gerber, GDSII) to modify them or use them as they are.

The components to be printed will be divided into a subset of parts to assign printing parameters to each part depending on:

• The print support material
• Deposited drop diameter 
• Layer thickness 
• Desired drop lattice 
• Filling strategy

In fact, the software allows very fine printing parameter tuning for each component part. The number of parts is not limited, enabling the user to program all possible configurations without making any compromises. This exclusive bottom-up approach for parameter definition allows the designer to program all the features of the device with no choice limitations.

Lattice examples:

CeraSlice also has a print simulation function, which allows the user to visualize graphically the print scripts generated by this method. This stage of the design process is an opportunity to quickly identify potential issues (badly defined zones, unguaranteed filling, non-respected shape, etc.) and find solutions without having to launch the printing process. Development time is considerably reduced.

The bottom-up approach takes into account material and component features (thickness, homogeneity, roughness, etc.) and, thanks to the added print simulation, offers a quick solution to producing functional components.

Print simulation – Bi-material component details in hexagonal lattice with the "zero void" strategy (drop inter-penetration optimization).

Print simulation –details of a single-material printed component in the square lattice. The "show trajectories" option has been activated.