Z-suite

Z-SUITE is slicing software compatible with the Zortrax 3D printing machines.

Downloading Z-SUITE

Download the latest version of Z-SUITE from the download section at the Support Center Download section. You will need the serial number of your printer to complete the download. To find the serial number, go to “Information” option on the display and choose “Serial Number.” Also remember to update your Firmware to the newest version. The newest version is available at the Support Center in the Download section – to update, extract a zip file. Copy update.bin on your memory card, insert it into the printer, then turn on the printer.

Printer Selection

On the Z-SUITE start screen, select the model of the printer you are going to use. The recently selected model is displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen. You can change the model at any point of planning the print by selecting the other model from the list.

Adding a Model in .stl Format

On the start screen, select the model of your printer which will be used. Use “+” icon or use drag and drop option to upload a model. You may do so with models saved in an .stl format. Select a model and click OPEN. Your model is now within the workspace. To select the model, click the right mouse button. You can save your model at any time by clicking SAVE PROJECT.

Preparing to Print

Adjust your model by scaling, rotating, duplicating, moving, etc. as necessary. If your model is ready to be printed, click “Print.” Set printing options: PROFILE/LAYER THICKNESS/SPEED/INFILL.

Print Settings

Normal print options include:

Layer thickness: choose the height of one layer: 0,09mm/0,14mm/0,19mm/0,29mm/0,39mm (depending on the material). Finer layers provide better surface quality but make printing more time- and material-consuming.

Quality (previously Speed):

in M200: HIGH/NORMAL. High quality gives better looking prints but increases the printing time.

Infill: choose the model infill: MAXIMUM/HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW. All four types of infill are presented in the picture on the right. MAXIMUM infill allows printing with the highest strength level. But the larger infill, the more time and material is needed for such a print.

SUPPORT – Select the angle at which the support structure is generated. 20° is the default option. It means that for all hanging parts of the model the support structure is generated at a 20° angle.

SUPPORT LITE – Choose this option to generate the support structure without the outer perimiter. Support lite consumes less material and it is easier to remove.

PRINT COOLING – You can choose the fan speed which cools down the model that is being printed. Cooling is not useful for big prints without any thin parts, whereas high cooling is better for small and thin prints. We recommend leaving the default option – AUTO. The printer will adjust the fan speed accordingly.

Advanced Print Settings

SEAM – It allows you to choose the starting point of every new layer (normal or random)

SURFACE LAYERS – If you aim at achieving a thicker finishing of the model, use this function. It helps you to choose the amount of layers at the top and at the bottom

OFFSET – this option helps to correct the internal and external dimensions of a model (in millimeters). It is possible to modify outer contours and holes dimension, however, only in the X and Y axis.

INFILL Advanced:

   MESH – Prints the model with 0% infill with horizontal surfaces (top and bottom) and the walls
   SHELL – Prints the model with 0% infill and no top and bottom surface layers. This option allows to choose the amount of the model wall. If you want the bottom layer to be printed, check the BOTTOM surface layer box while choosing SHELL infill.
   There is a SPIRAL MODE available with SHELL option. If you choose this option, your model will be printed with no seam.

Slicing a Model

1. Generate the .zcode when preparing the model for print. Read the article Preparing the model to print.

2. Z-SUITE will show the information on the material usage and estimated print time.

3. Add a pause – “PAUSE” option divides the print into stages and allows you to hold the printing process in order to change the material.

To plan a pause, move the slider onto a desired layer.

– “INSERT” function allows to set the pause in a chosen place. You can use this function several times in order to plan multiple pauses during one print. – “REMOVE” function allows to remove a pause. – “REMOVE ALL” function allows to remove all pauses.

4. Apart from the “PAUSE” option, in the tools menu there is a list of components which you can show or hide from the final look of the model in .zcode format: –PRINT BED, –RAFT, –MODEL, –SEAM, –SUPPORT, –PAUSE.

For example, you can uncheck the model to see what the seam will look like in your print.

5. Save your .zcode (with pauses) on a hard drive or directly on the SD card – click Save to print button.

Saving a Z-code

Once the .zcode has been generated, your model is ready to be saved on the SD card. Information about your print: profile, layer thickness, infill as well as an estimated print time and material usage will be shown at the bottom of the screen.

Save your .zcode on a hard drive or directly on the SD card by clicking “Save to print” button. Insert the SD card into the printer and start printing.