Object files format
Print file
Print files are comma separated value files (.csv extension). The layout of these files is the following:
| Line number | Data |
|---|---|
| 1 | V1 PrintFile Exaddon |
| 2 | x[μm], y[μm], z[μm], pr[mPa] |
| 3 | X0 , Y0 |
| 4 | X1 , Y1 , Z1 , p1 |
| 5 | X2 , Y2 , Z2 , p2 |
| 6 | X3 , Y3 , Z3 , p3 |
| … | …, …, …, … |
| n | Xn , Yn , Zn , pn |
The header is composed of the two first lines, containing the file version and the name of each column for the following table, currently x,y,z coordinates (in μm) of each voxel and the dispensing pressure pr (in mPa). Line number 3 contains the approach coordinates.
Note
(X0,Y0): are ABSOLUTE approaching coordinates (in μm). These determine where the tip will land on the surface and are placed in the first line of the print file. Nor the height Z0 nor the pressure p0 need to be defined as no pressure is applied during the approach and Z0 is defined at the contact.
(X1,Y1,Z1), (X2,Y2,Z2) … (Xn, Yn, Zn): are RELATIVE voxel coordinates (in μm) to the approaching point coordinates. (X0,Y0,Z0) are the origin (0, 0, 0) of the relative frame of reference.
p1, p2, … , pn: pressure applied during printing of the voxel (mbar).
The pressure values p1, p2, etc… are applied when the printer reaches their respective voxel. Note that it takes time to apply a new pressure and therefore, it is not recommended to change the pressure every voxel.
Print file example (40-μm-high pillar)
V1 PrintFile Exaddon
x[μm], y[μm], z[μm], pr[mPa]
-81550,950
0,0,1,60
0,0,2,60
0,0,3,60
0,0,4,60
0,0,5,60
0,0,6,60
0,0,7,60
0,0,8,60
0,0,9,60
0,0,10,60
0,0,11,60
0,0,12,60
0,0,13,60
0,0,14,60
0,0,15,60
0,0,16,60
0,0,17,60
0,0,18,60
0,0,19,60
0,0,20,60
0,0,21,60
0,0,22,60
0,0,23,60
0,0,24,60
0,0,25,60
0,0,26,60
0,0,27,60
0,0,28,60
0,0,29,60
0,0,30,60
0,0,31,60
0,0,32,60
0,0,33,60
0,0,34,60
0,0,35,60
0,0,36,60
0,0,37,60
0,0,38,60
0,0,39,60
0,0,40,60
The example above will result the following structure:
Pillar was printed with a Cu ink.
Note: image was taken with a 45° angle of incidence.
Metadata file
The metadata file is a companion file to the .csv printfile generated by the VCG and read by the LogViewer. It is a MATLAB file (.mat extension) saving additional information about the object, not contained in the printfile.
Print log files
Printing an object result in 5 output files. They are used by the LogViewer to analyze the printing process.
| file name | content |
|---|---|
| DL file | deflection log saving the deflection [V] and Z level [mm] of the cantilever over time |
| VL file | voxel log saving the Deflection [V], Duration [ms], Detection Type and Tick Index of each voxel |
| PL file | parameter log, saving the parameters used in the software |
| .csv file | copy of the .csv printfile of the object |
| .mat file | copy of the .mat metadata file of the object |