How is the CAD-to-Material transition achieved in additive manufacturing?

The transition from CAD to material in additive manufacturing is achieved through the process of slicing CAD models into layers and generating G-code. This process involves taking the three-dimensional model created in CAD software and dividing it into thin horizontal layers, which is essential for additive manufacturing techniques. The slicing software interprets the geometry of the CAD model and calculates the tool path that the printer will follow to create each layer.

Once the model is sliced, it generates G-code, which is a set of instructions that tells the 3D printer exactly how to move, extrude material, and build the part layer by layer. This step is crucial because it translates the design intent captured in the CAD files into a language that the printer can understand and execute. By managing both the path and the amount of material to be deposited for each layer, this step ensures accuracy and fidelity in the final printed object.

Other methods, like preparing material directly from CAD files or converting files into PNG images, do not facilitate the layer-by-layer construction required in additive manufacturing. Similarly, manually replicating designs in printer software would be inefficient and prone to errors compared to the automated slicing and G-code generation.