28 Aug Designing for 3D Printing

Before you embark on your 3D printing journey, it’s essential to understand how to design for 3D printing. Unlike traditional design processes, there are specific considerations to keep in mind to ensure a successful print.

Firstly, you need to think about the object’s geometry and orientation. Overhangs and complex features may require additional support during printing, while a well-optimized orientation can reduce print time and material usage.

Secondly, ensuring sufficient wall thickness is crucial to maintain structural integrity. Each material has different requirements, so consulting technical specifications and experimenting with test prints can help you find the optimal thickness for your design.

Lastly, learning to design with tolerances in mind is essential. Due to factors like material shrinkage, parts that should fit together might need slight adjustments to achieve the desired result.