AddPrint Continuous Fiber 3D Printing Slicing and Path Generation Software

General Introduction

AddPrint is an advanced slicing and toolpath-generation software developed by Addcomposites specifically for SCF3D (Structural Continuous Fiber 3D Printing) technology. Positioned as the core digital tool for continuous-fiber 3D printing, it leverages process-driven functional design and precise control to optimize the slicing and path-planning workflows, thereby enhancing the strength, dimensional accuracy, and material utilization of 3D-printed composite components. AddPrint serves as the exclusive companion software for Addcomposites’ continuous-fiber 3D-printing systems. Unlike conventional 3D-printing slicers that are tailored only for fused deposition modeling (FDM) and fail to account for the unique characteristics of continuous-fiber additive manufacturing, AddPrint deeply integrates the underlying process principles of continuous-fiber 3D printing. It has been specially optimized to address the specific requirements of continuous-fiber placement, material adhesion, and mechanical performance, enabling highly accurate conversion from 3D models to print paths.

The core design of AddPrint revolves around “continuous fiber molding optimization.” During the slicing stage, the software employs a process-driven slicing algorithm that enables layer-by-layer slicing based on the component’s mechanical performance requirements, supporting customized layer thicknesses for different regions to achieve localized reinforcement. In the path-generation stage, the software leverages the non-breakable nature of continuous fibers to optimize print-path planning, ensuring continuous fiber placement and thereby enhancing the overall mechanical performance of the component. Additionally, the software integrates numerous best-practice features for continuous-fiber 3D printing, embedding industry-proven process parameters and operational workflows directly into the software. Operators can call these settings directly without the need for repeated tuning, significantly shortening the print-commissioning cycle.

As a professional continuous-fiber 3D-printing software, AddPrint offers exceptional ease of use, featuring a visual user interface that supports real-time preview of 3D models, inspection of slicing results, and path simulation, enabling operators to intuitively grasp the printing strategy. The software seamlessly integrates with Addcomposites’ SCF3D continuous-fiber 3D-printing system, allowing for the real-time transmission of slicing data, toolpath data, and process parameters to ensure precise control throughout the printing process. Currently, AddPrint is deployed in R&D trials and small-batch custom production using continuous-fiber 3D printing, serving industries such as aerospace, high-end equipment manufacturing, automotive components, and materials research and development, thereby providing software support for enterprises seeking to achieve precision and efficiency in continuous-fiber 3D-printed production.

Working Principle

AddPrint operates on the principles of continuous-fiber 3D printing, integrating computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) with slicing technology. Through a process-driven slicing algorithm and proprietary path-planning capabilities, it precisely translates 3D models into continuous-fiber 3D-printing instructions. The workflow is structured around six key stages: model import and preprocessing, process-parameter configuration, layer-by-layer slicing, toolpath generation, simulation verification, and equipment integration. First, the software supports the import of mainstream 3D-model file formats (STL, STEP, IGES). Following import, the model undergoes preprocessing, including model repair, geometric-feature extraction, and automatic support-generation. This process addresses issues such as broken surfaces and voids in the model to ensure the accuracy of slicing and toolpath generation, while also automatically generating appropriate support structures based on the model’s geometry to prevent component deformation during printing.

In the process-parameter-setting stage, operators configure printing parameters—including layer thickness, print speed, extrusion temperature, fiber-packing density, and parameters for localized reinforcement zones—based on the printing material (continuous fibers plus matrix material), the desired mechanical performance of the part, and the characteristics of the printing equipment. The software includes a built-in library of best-practice parameters for various materials and processes, which operators can either directly select or manually adjust as needed. The layer-slicing stage is the core of the software, employing a process-driven slicing algorithm rather than conventional uniform-thickness slicing. This allows for region-specific layer thicknesses tailored to the part’s mechanical-performance requirements, with denser slicing in areas requiring localized reinforcement. Additionally, the software optimizes the stitching strategy between adjacent slices based on the laying characteristics of the continuous fibers, ensuring uninterrupted fiber continuity throughout the build.

After slicing is complete, the system proceeds to path generation. Leveraging the unique characteristics of continuous-fiber 3D printing, the software has developed a dedicated path-planning algorithm that supports multiple infill strategies—including contour infill, raster infill, and spiral infill—and automatically selects the optimal strategy based on the part’s geometry and mechanical requirements. At the same time, the software ensures continuous fiber orientation throughout the printing process, preventing fiber breakage and enhancing the overall mechanical performance of the part. For locally reinforced areas, the software further optimizes the path planning by increasing fiber placement density. Following path generation, the software conducts a preliminary simulation to validate the print job, simulating the printing process to identify potential issues such as interference or insufficient infill and thereby confirming the rationality of the print strategy. Once validation is successful, the software converts the slicing data, path data, and process parameters into G-code—format recognizable by the printer—and transmits this data via industrial Ethernet to the SCF3D continuous-fiber 3D printer, enabling seamless device coordination. The printer then executes the automated printing operation in accordance with the software-generated instructions.

Advantages and Key Features

As a specialized slicing and path-generation software for continuous-fiber 3D printing, AddPrint’s core strengths lie in process-specific optimization, process-driven design, built-in best practices, and seamless integration with hardware, while also incorporating numerous technical features tailored to the unique requirements of continuous-fiber 3D printing. Process-specific optimization is the software’s most critical attribute: it has been deeply optimized to align with the inherent process rules of continuous-fiber 3D printing. Unlike conventional 3D-printing slicing software, AddPrint fully accounts for the fiber-placement characteristics, continuity requirements, and mechanical-performance demands of continuous fibers, resulting in slice and path plans that more closely match the actual needs of continuous-fiber additive manufacturing and effectively enhance the strength and accuracy of printed parts.

Process-driven slicing and path generation are AddPrint’s key strengths. Unlike conventional geometric slicing, the software performs slicing and toolpath planning based on the component’s mechanical performance requirements, supporting customized layer thicknesses and fiber densities for different regions to enable localized reinforcement. This approach ensures that the printed component’s mechanical properties closely match real-world application needs, thereby enhancing design and manufacturing flexibility. Another important feature of the software is its built-in best-practice parameter library, which integrates industry-proven continuous-fiber 3D-printing process parameters and operational workflows. As a result, operators no longer need to repeatedly tune parameters; they can simply select pre-configured settings, significantly shortening the print-commissioning cycle and reducing the skill requirements for personnel.

Seamless device integration is one of AddPrint’s core advantages. As the dedicated companion software for SCF3D continuous-fiber 3D printers, it achieves deep hardware–software convergence with the equipment: slicing data, path data, and process parameters are transmitted to the printer in real time, ensuring precise control throughout the printing process. At the same time, the software can collect the printer’s operational status in real time, enabling continuous monitoring of the printing process. In terms of ease of use, the software features a visual user interface that supports real-time preview of 3D models, inspection of slicing results, and path simulation. All operations are designed with a graphical interface, allowing operators to quickly become proficient after minimal training and lowering the barrier to software adoption.

In terms of model compatibility, the software supports mainstream 3D file formats such as STL, STEP, and IGES, allowing direct import of model files from design software without the need for format conversion, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the design-to-manufacturing workflow. The software also features automatic model repair capabilities, which can swiftly address common issues in imported models—such as broken faces and voids—ensuring the accuracy of slicing and toolpath generation while reducing the time required for model preprocessing. In addition, AddPrint supports the storage and traceability of print data: slicing parameters, toolpath data, and process parameters can be saved as files, facilitating subsequent production replication and process optimization and providing data-driven support for enterprise production management.

Application Areas and Use Cases

As a specialized software for continuous-fiber 3D printing, AddPrint is primarily used in R&D trials, small-batch custom production, and process validation for continuous-fiber 3D printing, serving sectors such as materials research institutions, aerospace R&D centers, high-end equipment manufacturing, automotive components, and medical devices. In materials research institutions and universities, AddPrint is mainly employed for studying 3D-printing processes of novel continuous-fiber composites; through process-driven slicing and path planning, it facilitates printing experiments with various materials and process parameters, thereby providing digital support for new-material development. In aerospace R&D centers, it is used to produce 3D-printed prototypes of small composite components for spacecraft and aircraft, enabling rapid component fabrication and localized reinforcement design to shorten the R&D cycle. In the high-end equipment-manufacturing sector, it supports small-batch 3D printing of customized small composite components, meeting the demands for lightweight construction and high performance. In the automotive-components field, it is utilized for 3D printing small composite parts for new-energy vehicles, facilitating rapid customization and lightweight upgrades. In the medical-device sector, it is applied to 3D printing of customized medical composite components to meet patients’ individualized needs.

AddPrint’s application cases are primarily concentrated in R&D institutions and small- to medium-sized manufacturing enterprises worldwide. A materials research institute in Europe has adopted AddPrint in conjunction with SCF3D equipment to conduct research on continuous 3D printing processes for glass fiber and carbon fiber composites. The software’s process-driven slicing functionality enables localized reinforcement design for different regions of a component; by adjusting fiber placement density, it has successfully produced composite components with gradient mechanical properties, providing critical support for the development of novel functional composites. An aerospace R&D center in North America uses AddPrint for 3D printing small composite components for spacecraft, where the software’s continuous fiber path-planning feature ensures fiber continuity, thereby enhancing the component’s mechanical performance. Meanwhile, the software’s built-in best-practice parameter library significantly shortens the print-tuning cycle, reducing the production lead time for R&D components by 40%. In China, a high-end equipment-manufacturing enterprise has implemented AddPrint software for the 3D printing of customized small composite components. The seamless integration between the software and SCF3D equipment enables precise printing, boosting product dimensional accuracy to over 99% and improving material utilization by 30%, making AddPrint the core digital tool for the company’s custom-component production.