ORNL Develops New App to Enhance Large-Scale 3D Printing

Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed Slicer 2, a new slicing computer program designed to streamline and accelerate the digital conversion of large, 3D parts in factory production.

The technology has the potential to expand the use of 3D printing for large metallic and composite objects, including applications such as land and aquatic vehicles, aerospace and reusable vehicles, the ORNL said.

Alex Roschli, an ORNL researcher, said Slicer 2 improves print accuracy by integrating directly with various 3D printers and sensors.

It also offers more than 500 specifications to manage factors such as internal structure, shape and temperature of individual parts. On top of that, Slice 2 integrates with simulation software for detailed heat and stress analysis.

The software also supports multiple additive manufacturing systems, including pellet and filament thermoplastic, enhancing reliability and repeatability while reducing costs and machinery needs, according to Roschli.

ORNL Slicer 2 is available as an open-source program and is currently used by various equipment manufacturers, industrial users and universities via GitHub.