Archive, produce, rerun: replaying a fabrication in two clicks
By Sébastien · · 5 min read
You nailed a part: right settings, right file, great result. Three months later, a client wants ten more… and you spend an hour finding the file, redoing the tests, guessing the settings. Archiving solves this waste. This article closes the guide on the laser / CNC / 3D workshop workflow.
Archive a trio, not a lone file
A reproducible production comes down to three elements kept together: the source file, the recipe (machine settings + material), and, ideally, a photo of the result. Archived separately, they get lost; archived together, they replay.
- The approved source file (SVG/DXF/STL, not the G-code alone).
- The recipe: machine, material, power/speed/passes or tool/feed/depth.
- A photo of the result + the "approved / in production" status.
Rerun without rebuilding
With this trio archived and tagged, rerunning a batch becomes a matter of seconds: you find the job by its preview, you check the recipe, you produce. No more test phase, no more doubt about the version. PandaFile keeps file, settings, and photo in one place, offline.
Never confuse archived and current
Clearly distinguish the in-production version from the archived trials, so you don't rerun an old setting. See managing versions and duplicates.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to archive to reproduce a part?
The approved source file, the recipe (machine, material, settings), and a photo of the result. These three elements together let you rerun the fabrication identically.
Should I archive the G-code?
Better the source file, reusable everywhere. G-code is only valid for one machine and one setting: archive it only for parts you reprint often on the same machine.
How do I avoid rerunning an old setting?
By clearly identifying the in-production version versus archived trials, and relying on previews and statuses rather than file names.
Topics