Breaking the Chain: Pushing GrabCAD Print Pro to its Limits

As a QA Engineer at Stratasys' Cambridge office, I'm used to testing the boundaries of our software. Recently, I stumbled into a challenge that put GrabCAD Print Pro through its paces in an unconventional way.

The Catalyst: A LinkedIn Post

While scrolling LinkedIn, I came across a post that caught my eye: a colleague had created an 83-meter chain with 2,519 links, all in one build, using Magics software. As someone who spends their days probing the limits of our systems, I immediately wondered: Could I surpass this length using our own GrabCAD Print Pro software?

Challenge Accepted: Exceeding 83 Meters

Without hesitation, I set out to create a longer chain using GrabCAD Print Pro's 3D Array tool. This feature, typically employed for part replication and stacking, would be the cornerstone of my attempt. My goal was straightforward yet ambitious: exceed 83 meters and showcase the capabilities of our software in the process.

The Technical Rundown

1. I designed a single chain link, optimized for printability and interlocking capability.
2. Using the 3D Array tool, I replicated the link vertically. The challenge here was maintaining precise inter-link spacing.
3. I relied heavily on the software's preview function, which was crucial for ensuring the build remained within the printer's parameters.
4. To prevent link fusion, I used the Section View tool extensively. This allowed for micron-level spacing inspection.
5. Through iterative adjustments, I incrementally optimized the build volume utilization.