PRINTING INSIGHTS

PRINTING WITH DESCRIBE RECIPES

Every new resin and application require a dedicated set of print parameters for optimal
results. With DeScribe recipes it is possible to load and save print parameters that are
selected and applied with the STL import wizard.

RECIPES FOR STL/IMAGE IMPORT

DeScribe supports three classes of recipes (Figure 1):

• Process recipes contain all process parameters to convert the STL model into
printable stacked lines. They are built in DeScribe (Figure 2).
• File recipes contain all parameters about the STL model orientation and
dimensions. They are automatically saved during the STL import with DeScribe‘s
import wizard.
• At the end of the STL import a Job recipe is automatically created as well. The
Job recipes combines the parameters from Process recipes and File recipes in one
file. Hence, Job recipes are automatically created custom recipes ideal for
application development.

File recipes and Job recipes are saved in the same folder as the STL file having the
ending *.recipe and *_job.recipe.

The parameters from the last STL import are saved in DeScribe and can be applied
onto the next STL model import using Last session parameters (Figure 2).

The same recipe structure applies to image imports as well.

First step Last Step

Model Output

File recipe Process recipe

• dimensions • hatching
• orientation • slicing
• splitting…
*.recipe

Job recipe
• dimensions…
• hatching…
*_job.recipe

Figure 1: DeScribe import wizard converts a STL model file to a GWL print job using recipes.

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PRINTING INSIGHTS
STANDARD PROCESS RECIPES

Nanoscribe provides standard process recipes1 for the Nanoscribe resins IP-S and
IP-Dip covering a broad range of applications.
Three recipes are designed for 3D printing of imported STL models at the micro and
meso scale. Additionally, one recipe is designed for printing diffractive optical
elements (DOE2) (see Figure 2):

IP-Dip 63x solid (fused silica)

for high resolution prints with lateral feature sizes of typically below 200 nm
Applications: photonic meta-materials, rheology microfilter, microfluidic parts
typ. dimensions: one print block of 140 x 140 x 300 m3
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Print time: ~25 days / mm³ (simulated)

IP-S 25x solid (ITO)

for meso scale printing of structures with high homogeneity and high surface quality
requirements
Applications: Microoptics, mechanical microstructures, biomedical engineering
typ. dimensions: Few millimeter in x and y, up to 3 mm in z
Print time: 10 h/mm³

IP-S 25x shell (ITO)

for fast meso scale printing of structures with several mm lateral dimensions
Applications: Microfluids, Micromachines
typ. dimensions: Several millimeter in x and y, up to 3 mm in z
Print time: 1.5 h/mm³

IP-Dip 63x Phase mask @640nm (Fused silica)

dedicated to DOE printing

Figure 2: First step of DeScribe’s import wizard enables to select Process recipes, Last session
parameters or custom recipes loaded into the wizard.

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%NanoBox%\Software\DeScribe-2.4-ReleaseNotes.pdf
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Greater print volumes are possible, however, only with block splitting and stitching.

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PRINTING INSIGHTS
CUSTOMIZATION OF RECIPES

Printing parameters are typically tailored to each application. Their requirements will
not necessarily be met with standard Process recipes.

It is possible to change the parameters of a Process recipe or custom recipe during the
STL model import. Simply select or type in the desired parameter. The customization
will be reflected in the saved Job recipe after the successful STL import. The File recipes
or Job recipes can also directly be modified or created with a text editor.

Customized Job recipes can be loaded into the DeScribe import wizard by clicking
Browse next to the drop-down list for the Process recipe. Once a custom Job recipe is
loaded it is treated as a Process recipe. Only the process parameters are applied to the
imported STL model file and any file modifications (orientation and dimension) saved in
the recipe are discarded. However, the file modifications are automatically applied from
a File recipe if it exists in the folder of the STL file and the base file names of STL file
and File recipe match.

Stored custom recipes can be removed from the recipe drop-down list by clicking the
cross on the right-hand side of the recipe name. The currently selected recipe cannot
be removed. First select a different recipe to remove the unwanted one from the list.
Process recipes cannot be removed.

See the article customization of recipes for an example of how to customize recipes.

RECIPES WITHIN DESCRIBE

Recipes can be loaded and used in three features of DeScribe, the STL import wizard4
(as shown in the images), the Advanced STL processing5 and the CommandLineSlicer6.

• The STL import wizard guides the STL to GWL conversion process and explains
the parameters via tool tips.
• The Advanced STL processing contains two features, the batch processing and
the parameter sweep. The batch processing imports multiple STL model files with
existing recipes.
• The parameter sweep is meant for optimizing print parameters for a specific
application. Once optimized parameters are found they can be stored in recipes
and used e.g. for batch importing STL model files.
• The CommandLineSlicer is the equivalent to the batch processing, however
operating from the command line. Hence, the CommandLineSlicer is the least
demanding in computer resources, as no graphical interface must be updated
during the STL model import.
Please see the individual documentation for more information.

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%NanoBox%\Documents\ServerMode_CommandLineSlicer.pdf

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