FAQ

Flexam is an industrial additive manufacturing software platform for generating, inspecting and adapting toolpaths. The questions below explain the platform, its products and the technical workflows it supports.

1. What is the Flexam Platform?

Flexam is an industrial additive manufacturing software platform for generating, inspecting and adapting toolpaths. It is configured around the customer's machine, process and workflow.

2. Is Flexam only a slicer?

No. Flexam Slicer is one product within the platform. Flexam also works on toolpath inspection and editing, machine-specific workflow integration and process-aware preparation. Bounded engineering support may be included where an integration requires it.

3. Can Flexam work with an existing software workflow?

Yes. Flexam can be introduced around a defined part of an existing workflow, such as slicing, toolpath editing, post-processing or machine integration. The scope depends on the customer's current software and target system.

4. Is Flexam an SDK?

Flexam can be integrated into a broader software environment, but it is delivered as a configured software solution rather than as a generic self-service SDK. The integration scope depends on the target machine, process and workflow.

5. What is multi-axis additive manufacturing slicing?

Multi-axis additive manufacturing slicing is the process of preparing a 3D model for printing on machines that can move beyond simple three-axis, flat-layer motion. Instead of only generating horizontal layers, the software may need to decide tool orientation, deposition direction, region-specific strategies, reachability, and machine-aware motion. This is especially important for robotic arms, 5-axis printers, hybrid machines, and large-format additive manufacturing systems. Flexam Slicer supports this part of the platform, while the wider Flexam workflow also covers toolpath inspection, adaptation and machine-specific integration.

6. How is robotic arm 3D printing different from conventional 3-axis printing?

Conventional 3-axis printing usually follows a fixed layer-by-layer approach. Robotic arm 3D printing adds more freedom, but also more complexity. The software has to account for robot kinematics, tool orientation, workspace limits, reachability, collisions, material behavior, and controller-specific output. This makes print preparation harder than in desktop or standard gantry FDM workflows. Flexam focuses on the software layer that helps turn this extra machine freedom into manufacturable toolpaths.

7. How do you generate toolpaths for robotic arm 3D printing?

Toolpaths for robotic arm 3D printing are generated by combining geometry analysis, process strategy, machine constraints, and robot-specific output. The software must decide where and how material should be deposited, how the tool should be oriented, whether the robot can reach the path, and how the result should be exported to the machine or controller. For industrial workflows, this usually requires more than a standard slicer. Flexam can generate toolpaths for a defined robotic or multi-axis setup, with machine-specific integration validated for the agreed workflow.

8. What software is needed for robotic additive manufacturing?

Robotic additive manufacturing usually needs software for geometry preparation, slicing, toolpath generation, robot or machine simulation, post-processing, and sometimes process monitoring. The exact stack depends on the material, deposition process, robot, controller, and production workflow. In many cases, companies combine CAD, CAM, custom scripts, simulation tools, and manual expert work. Flexam can be configured around defined parts of this workflow, including slicing, toolpath generation, inspection, editing and machine-specific integration.

9. What is non-planar slicing in 3D printing?

Non-planar slicing means that the toolpaths are not limited to flat horizontal layers. Instead, the printing path can follow curved or angled surfaces, which may improve surface quality, reduce support structures, or enable geometries that are difficult with conventional slicing. Non-planar slicing is especially relevant when the machine can control tool orientation, such as a robotic arm or multi-axis printer. Flexam treats non-planar slicing as part of a broader multi-axis workflow: the software must decide not only the path, but also the strategy and machine feasibility.

10. Why is slicing difficult for multi-axis additive manufacturing?

Multi-axis additive manufacturing is difficult because the software must make decisions that are normally handled by experienced engineers. It has to understand the part geometry, split it into regions, select suitable print strategies, define path directions, handle transitions, consider machine motion, and produce output that works for a specific setup. The challenge is not only generating a path, but generating a path that is manufacturable. Flexam addresses this by automating expert decisions inside the slicing workflow.

11. How can print preparation be automated for industrial additive manufacturing?

Print preparation can be automated by turning repeated expert decisions into software logic. This may include geometry analysis, feature recognition, region segmentation, strategy selection, parameter recommendations, toolpath generation, and machine-specific post-processing. The goal is not to remove engineering judgement completely, but to reduce manual setup, avoid repeated mistakes, and make the workflow more consistent across parts and operators. Flexam develops automation for this layer of industrial AM preparation.

12. Why is slicing expertise hard to scale inside industrial AM teams?

Advanced additive manufacturing often depends on a small number of people who understand geometry, materials, machine behavior, toolpath planning, and process limits at the same time. These experts are hard to hire and difficult to replace. When the knowledge stays only in individual engineers' heads, production becomes fragile: decisions are hard to repeat, onboarding is slow, and mistakes return when people change roles. Flexam's approach is to capture repeatable slicing and strategy decisions in software so the workflow becomes less dependent on one expert.

13. Can modern software reduce the need for manual slicing decisions?

Yes, but the realistic goal is assistance and automation, not magic. Modern AM software can reduce manual slicing work by recognizing geometry patterns, suggesting strategies, checking machine constraints, and generating toolpaths from repeatable rules or trained models. Machine learning can be useful where there is enough relevant data or where expert decisions can be encoded and improved over time. Flexam uses modern automation methods to help teams preserve best practices inside the software instead of relying only on manual setup.

14. How can a company preserve AM process know-how in software?

Companies can preserve AM process know-how by formalizing how experienced engineers make decisions: how they split geometry, choose print strategies, select parameters, check feasibility, and handle recurring edge cases. Once these decisions are captured in software, they can be reused, reviewed, and improved across projects. This makes the organization less dependent on informal knowledge transfer. Flexam is built around this idea: the software should help turn expert slicing judgement into a repeatable workflow.

15. What is the difference between slicing software and CAM software for additive manufacturing?

Slicing software usually focuses on turning a 3D model into printable layers or toolpaths. CAM software is broader and is often used for machining, hybrid manufacturing, robot programming, simulation, and post-processing. In additive manufacturing, the boundary can overlap, especially for robotic, WAAM, DED, and hybrid workflows. Some companies need a slicer, some need CAM integration, and some need a dedicated AM preparation layer between CAD and machine control. Flexam can fit into this layer depending on the customer workflow.

16. How do you prepare G-code or machine instructions for multi-axis 3D printers?

Preparing G-code or machine instructions for multi-axis 3D printers requires more than exporting standard layer paths. The software must account for tool orientation, axis motion, machine limits, process parameters, and the specific controller or postprocessor. In some workflows the output is G-code; in others it may be robot code, intermediate path data, or a controller-specific format. Flexam prepares machine-specific output as part of the integration, matched to the target hardware and process.

17. What software is used for WAAM toolpath generation?

WAAM toolpath generation software prepares deposition paths for wire arc additive manufacturing. It must consider weld bead geometry, deposition sequence, travel direction, process parameters, heat input, reachability, and sometimes hybrid machining steps. WAAM is often used for large metal parts, repair, and near-net-shape manufacturing, where toolpath quality has a direct impact on material use and post-processing. Flexam is relevant to WAAM teams that need more automated, machine-aware slicing and path-planning workflows.

18. What software is used for DED toolpath generation?

DED toolpath generation software prepares paths for directed energy deposition processes using powder or wire feedstock. The software must handle deposition geometry, nozzle orientation, multi-axis motion, material build-up, process parameters, and often hybrid subtractive steps. DED workflows are highly machine- and process-specific, so standard slicers are usually not enough. Flexam can support bounded DED workflows where geometry analysis, strategy selection and machine-aware path generation are validated for the target setup.

19. What software is needed for concrete 3D printing?

Concrete 3D printing usually needs software that can turn architectural or engineering geometry into printable paths while respecting layer sequence, nozzle geometry, material behavior, machine limits, and site constraints. Large-format construction workflows often require more control than standard desktop slicers provide. Depending on the setup, the software may also need headless execution, offline operation, machine-specific G-code, and process metrics. Flexam works on automated slicing and toolpath generation for industrial AM workflows, including concrete printing applications where process-specific adaptation is required.

20. How do you generate toolpaths for continuous fiber 3D printing?

Continuous fiber 3D printing requires toolpaths that respect fiber direction, load paths, curvature, tool orientation, and manufacturability. The challenge is not only placing material, but placing reinforcement in a way that makes sense for the part and the machine. Multi-axis motion can be useful because it gives more freedom to align material and tool orientation. Flexam's strategy-based slicing approach is relevant to these workflows because different regions of a part may require different print strategies.

21. What is LFAM and why does it need different slicing software?

LFAM means large-format additive manufacturing. It is used for large polymer, pellet extrusion, composite, construction, and sometimes hybrid manufacturing workflows. LFAM usually has different constraints from desktop 3D printing: larger bead width, higher material flow, longer print times, bigger thermal effects, heavier machines, and higher cost of failed prints. Slicing for LFAM must therefore be more process-aware and machine-aware. Flexam focuses on this class of industrial AM problems, where the bottleneck is often the software workflow rather than only the machine.

22. Can slicing software run as a headless engine or API?

Yes, industrial slicing software can be designed to run without a manual user interface. A headless engine or API can allow another system to trigger slicing automatically, pass parameters, receive toolpaths, and integrate the result into a larger production workflow. This is useful for OEMs, machine builders, construction sites, automated print farms, and companies that want repeatable workflows with fewer manual steps. Flexam can support headless or automated slicing workflows depending on the integration scope and deployment requirements.

23. How do machine builders integrate slicing software into their own workflow?

Machine builders usually need slicing software that fits into their existing hardware, controller, file formats, customer workflow, and support model. Integration can include machine profiles, process parameters, post-processors, branded interfaces, headless execution, or export formats tailored to the machine. The most reliable approach is to start with one representative part, one machine setup, and one output path — prove the workflow, then scale it. Flexam works exactly this way: start narrow, validate, then expand where the value is clear.

24. Who provides automated slicing software for robotic and multi-axis additive manufacturing?

Several companies work on software for advanced additive manufacturing, including robotic AM, large-format printing, WAAM, DED, and hybrid workflows. The right provider depends on the machine, process, integration depth, and whether the buyer needs an off-the-shelf product, software components, or a tailored integration. Flexam develops industrial additive manufacturing software for generating, inspecting and adapting toolpaths, with Flexam Slicer providing the slicing and path-generation product for robotic and multi-axis workflows.

25. What is a toolpath editor for additive manufacturing?

A toolpath editor for additive manufacturing connects machine-code commands with the path they produce. It is used after slicing, CAM, or post-processing to inspect local regions, understand machine-specific output, review bounded changes, and keep the original file separate from any modified copy. Flexam Toolpath Editor is a controlled-access prototype for this inspection and editing step.

26. Can machine code be edited without regenerating the complete toolpath?

Some local changes can be applied without regenerating the complete toolpath when the file dialect, machine state, and selected region are understood. Other changes affect geometry, process state, or downstream commands and require regeneration or machine-specific engineering review. Flexam Toolpath Editor is being validated around bounded local transformations, a reviewable before-and-after diff, and a separate modified export.

27. Which .gcode, .nc, and machine-code formats does Flexam Toolpath Editor support?

There is no universal additive-manufacturing machine-code format. Flexam assesses .gcode, .nc, and machine-specific files for each controlled-access workflow because commands, state, axes, and postprocessor conventions vary. A format should not be treated as supported until parsing, the intended edit, available validation checks, and non-destructive export have been reviewed on a representative file.

28. Does Flexam Toolpath Editor guarantee machine-safe output?

No. A linked code and toolpath view, deterministic local transformations, a before-and-after diff, and available warnings can make a change easier to inspect, but they do not guarantee machine-safe or production-safe output. Machine-specific review, simulation where available, operator checks, and the applicable safety process remain required before execution.