<p>Laser SLS printers (3D Metal Printer) software requirements are very similar to SLA printers specially laser ones. </p>

<p>There are lots of different tools which you can use together.</p>

<p>You can use <a href="https://github.com/macpod/lasershark_3dp/" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Lasershark 3D">Lasershark 3D</a> together with creationworkshop. </p>

<p>Also you can convert your source file to SVG or image files, using <a href="http://slic3r.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Slic3r</a>, <a href="http://www.nanodlp.com/download/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">nanoDLP SLC2PNG</a> or <a href="https://www.asiga.com/products/software/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Asiga Stomp/Sleece</a>. And convert SVG or Image files to toolpaths using <a href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/cadpy/files/?source=navbar" rel="nofollow noreferrer">cad.py</a>, <a href="https://github.com/arpruss/gcodeplot" rel="nofollow noreferrer">gcodeplot</a> or any other freely available softwares. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-26T23:13:19.133Z
2016-11-26T23:13:19.133Z
Shahin
<p>In <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2953/how-to-control-3d-printer-printing-in-metal">my last topic</a> I learned that Pronterface can control powder 3D printer provided that the slicer generate g-code for printer which is printing from metal. My question is as follows. Is there a slicer (open-source or other easily accessible), which will generate g-code that will be able to command the printer which operates on the <a href="http://www.sd3dprinting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sls.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">following principle</a>?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/KFTzG.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KFTzG.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-30T18:37:35.290Z
"Operating Principle" is not enough. Not all printers even take G-code commands to begin with. What *specific printer* do you have in mind? This determines the slicer you need to use.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-31T15:36:11.083Z
If we go on the assumption that the thickness of the added powder for each scan is known (i.e. how far the RH piston moves per cycle), then all you need is to set the slice thickness to that value.  This assumes further that the X-Y position commands sent to the laser positioner are properly oriented as well.
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-08T20:26:43.657Z
I would suggest looking into how for Form2 printer slices.  It has a laser that solidifies resin which is basically the same principal as the concept in your question.
Eric Johnson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-10T13:51:44.353Z
"Metal" 3D printing is Additive Manufacturing. Do you have a 400W laser?
FeliceM
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-27T01:46:00.170Z
Your diagram looks as though you're referring to a "**Galvo**"-based laser system. Is this correct? If so, there are very few systems on the market that operate this way. My guess is that conversion from polar to cartesian and visa-versa would be controlled by the laser systems' controller and not the slicer. However, what you're suggesting as machine design should be handled through custom software, or at least open-source that focuses on this style of printing. I believe you'll find it difficult to find anything currently available in a working stage.
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-27T01:48:48.390Z
Here's a [KickStarter campaign](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1467754733/saffire-galvo-based-sla-3d-printer-and-laser-engra) I just came across recently that has a similar concept, using a Gavlo laser. The product is called SafFire 3D Printer/Laser Engraver
tbm0115
<slicing><pronterface><metal-printing><printing-powder>
Slicer for "metal" 3d printer
Bartosz Królak
# Slicer for "metal" 3d printer

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-29)

In [my last topic](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2953/how-to-control-3d-printer-printing-in-metal) I learned that Pronterface can control powder 3D printer provided that the slicer generate g-code for printer which is printing from metal. My question is as follows. Is there a slicer (open-source or other easily accessible), which will generate g-code that will be able to command the printer which operates on the [following principle](http://www.sd3dprinting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sls.jpg)?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/KFTzG.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/KFTzG.jpg)

**Tags:** slicing, pronterface, metal-printing, printing-powder

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: "Operating Principle" is not enough. Not all printers even take G-code commands to begin with. What *specific printer* do you have in mind? This determines the slicer you need to use.  
> **username_2**: If we go on the assumption that the thickness of the added powder for each scan is known (i.e. how far the RH piston moves per cycle), then all you need is to set the slice thickness to that value.  This assumes further that the X-Y position commands sent to the laser positioner are properly oriented as well.  
> **username_3**: I would suggest looking into how for Form2 printer slices.  It has a laser that solidifies resin which is basically the same principal as the concept in your question.  
> **username_4**: "Metal" 3D printing is Additive Manufacturing. Do you have a 400W laser?  
> **username_5**: Your diagram looks as though you're referring to a "**Galvo**"-based laser system. Is this correct? If so, there are very few systems on the market that operate this way. My guess is that conversion from polar to cartesian and visa-versa would be controlled by the laser systems' controller and not the slicer. However, what you're suggesting as machine design should be handled through custom software, or at least open-source that focuses on this style of printing. I believe you'll find it difficult to find anything currently available in a working stage.  
> **username_5**: Here's a [KickStarter campaign](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1467754733/saffire-galvo-based-sla-3d-printer-and-laser-engra) I just came across recently that has a similar concept, using a Gavlo laser. The product is called SafFire 3D Printer/Laser Engraver  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-11-26. Score: 0

Laser SLS printers (3D Metal Printer) software requirements are very similar to SLA printers specially laser ones.

There are lots of different tools which you can use together.

You can use [Lasershark 3D](https://github.com/macpod/lasershark_3dp/ "Lasershark 3D") together with creationworkshop.

Also you can convert your source file to SVG or image files, using [Slic3r](http://slic3r.org/), [nanoDLP SLC2PNG](http://www.nanodlp.com/download/) or [Asiga Stomp/Sleece](https://www.asiga.com/products/software/). And convert SVG or Image files to toolpaths using [cad.py](https://sourceforge.net/projects/cadpy/files/?source=navbar), [gcodeplot](https://github.com/arpruss/gcodeplot) or any other freely available softwares.


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