3D Printing Design Guidelines

Mohit

7 Nov, 2017 12:02 PM

3D Printing Design Guidelines

~ 9 Steps to consider while design for 3d Printing.

1. Step 1: Wall-Thickness

   A minimum wall thickness of 1 mm.

   The walls of larger parts need at least 1.6 mm thickness.

   

   
   

   
   

2. Step 2: Design for No-Support: - 45 Degree Rule

   

   Overhangs that are greater than 45 degrees will need support or you need to use clever modeling tricks to get the model to print.

   
   

   
   

3. Step 3: File Resolution

   consider while converting .stl file.

   ~ Fine

   ~Coarse

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

4. Step 4: Clearances

   1) Right Space between Moving Parts: We advise you to keep a minimum space of 0.4 mm between designed surfaces.

   
   

   
   

   2) Assembly: Always leave at least 0.3 mm between the different parts.

5. Step 5: Shrinkage

   General Shrinkage is  0.1% or ± 0.2 mm, which one is greater. (consider while designing.)

   
   

   
   

6. Step 6: Embossed and Engraved Details

   For engraved text or surface details, we recommend letters with a minimum line thickness of 1 mm and a depth of 0.3 mm.

   For embossed text and surface details, we recommend letters that have a line thickness of at least 2.5 mm and a depth of at least 0.5 mm.

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

7. Step 7: Holes

   When tight tolerances are required, either  the holes in the model may be oversized or they may be drilled later. For example to get a 5mm hole it has to be designed with 5.3mm diameter. For holes up to 10mm in diameter you can add 2% to 4% correction and smaller for bigger diameters.

8. Step 8: Fillets

   It help reduce the stress during printing and strengthen the part.

   

   
   

   
   

9. Step 9: Threads

   

   When designing threads avoid sharp edges and 90 degrees angles as they can be stress concentrators in plastic parts. ACME threads (as shown on the pictures) are found to work well with FDM, so this is the recommended type. Recommended minimum size of the thread is 0.8mm