This is still suboptimal, because in terms of economizing 3D-printing, it is important to use as little material as possible.
However, the CatalystEX’s algorithm tends to produce prints where a lot of support structure is used. The print management software of high-priced 3D printing solutions such as StrataSys’ CatalystEX (references Version 4.4) already has some optimization of positioning leading to feasible prints. This then leads to poor or aborted prints until the operator intervenes and rotates the STL object into a printable position. Often, a problem occurs at this point, which impedes the cohesive vertical workflow: Cura cannot recognize whether a model is printable or not, and it places objects on the printing platform in their default orientation. The slicing of an STL-object to a gcode-toolpath is also done by the Raspberry via the CuraEngine. In our small lab environment, we use an Ultimaker² connected to a Raspberry Pi enabling remote printing from the web. Figure 1: This Raspberry Pi casing cover must be turned into a printable position.