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🧩 Nonplanar Slicing Pipeline Documentation

Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

Author: [Your Name]
Date: 2025-10-26

🎯 Overview

This project implements a cross-platform automated pipeline for nonplanar 3D printing using SuperSlicer/Slic3r and Python.
The pipeline automates the full process — from STL analysis to final G-code transformation and positioning — with modular, configurable components.

The main objectives were:

  • Reduce manual operations in nonplanar printing.
  • Provide a consistent folder and processing structure.
  • Achieve OS independence (macOS, Windows, Linux).
  • Allow adjustable parameters via _10config.py.

🧠 Pipeline Architecture

Input STL
   ↓
_01analysestl.py → Detects cut heights
_02cutstl.py → Cuts STL top→bottom (configurable)
_03refinemesh.py → Refines mesh triangles
_04transformstl.py → Applies surface deformation
_05execslicer.py → Calls SuperSlicer to slice STL
_06transformgcode.py → Backtransforms & applies slowdown
_07combine.py → Merges part G-codes bottom→top
_08movegcode.py → Shifts final print on build plate
_10config.py → Central configuration + OS detection
   ↓
Final G-code

⚙️ Configuration: _10config.py

All adjustable parameters are centralized here.
This includes paths, slicer settings, geometry tolerances, and pipeline behaviors.

OS Detection

import platform

def get_system_name():
    return platform.system()
  • macOS → "Darwin"
  • Windows → "Windows"
  • Linux → "Linux"

Example: Auto-select Slic3r/SuperSlicer binary

def get_superslicer_binary():
    system_name = get_system_name()
    if system_name == "Darwin":
        return "/Applications/SuperSlicer.app/Contents/MacOS/SuperSlicer"
    if system_name == "Windows":
        return r"C:\Program Files\SuperSlicer\SuperSlicer.exe"
    return "superslicer"

Example Config Blocks

GEOMETRY_CONFIG = {
    "refine_edge_length_mm": 1.0,
    "maximal_segment_length_mm": 2.0,
    "downward_angle_deg": 10.0,
    "slow_feedrate_mm_per_min": 180.0,
    "z_desired_min_mm": 6.0,
    "xy_backtransform_shift_mm": (90.0, 90.0),
}

PIPELINE_CONFIG = {
    "apply_final_shift": True,
    "final_shift_xy_mm": (100.0, 100.0),
    "apply_backtransform_to_planar": False,
}

🔪 STL Cutting: _02cutstl.py

Cuts the STL into vertical sections (top→bottom).
Uses Slic3r --cut to produce upper/lower halves iteratively.

Key Behavior

  • Reads cut heights from cuts.txt.
  • Ignores zero-level cuts.
  • Cuts in descending order (top→bottom).
  • Saves segments as <basename>_1.stl, <basename>_2.stl, ... (bottom→top).

🧩 Main Controller: _00all.py

Central orchestrator for the full process.

Responsibilities

  1. Analyze STL → generate cuts.txt
  2. Cut STL into parts
  3. Refine and transform meshes (if nonplanar)
  4. Slice parts with SuperSlicer
  5. Backtransform & apply slowdown
  6. Merge & shift final G-code

🚀 Shifting G-code: _08movegcode.py

Shifts the printed object (e.g. +100/+100 mm) only after purge and intro lines.

Trigger Logic

  1. Wait for ';LAYER_CHANGE' → arm shifting.
  2. First motion line (G0/G1) after that → start shifting.
  3. All later XY moves → shifted by (x_shift, y_shift).

Configurable Offset

x_shift, y_shift = PIPELINE_CONFIG["final_shift_xy_mm"]

🌍 Cross-Platform Behavior

  • Binary paths determined by OS automatically.
  • Path separators handled via os.path.join().
  • Line endings normalized (\n).
  • Works identically on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

💡 Summary

This pipeline provides a complete, automated, and configurable workflow for nonplanar additive manufacturing.
It is fully cross-platform, modular, and designed for research reproducibility and industrial scalability.

📘 ZHAW Nonplanar Slicing Pipeline
Developed for academic and prototyping purposes.
For contributions or bug reports, contact the author.