Each 3D printing technology, in addition to its obvious benefits, also has limitations that must be borne in mind when designing in order to create a model using additive technology. What do you need to keep in mind when designing elements in order to work with additive technology to achieve the results you want?

Wall thickness

While 3D printing is believed to be a technology that allows you to create features and geometry that are not available with other manufacturing methods, it has its limitations. One of them is wall thickness, which has the minimum dimensions, exceeding which can lead to the failure of the 3D printing process.

Holes

3D printing technology allows the production of elements with internal holes. This property can be especially important in the formation of internal structures, such as injection molding parts with internal channels for water cooling.

Bridges

Bridges are special 3D printed structures that, in some technologies, can be built without the need for supporting structures. In the case of SLA and MJF technologies, making even short bridges without support structures carries a high risk of 3D printing failure.

In the case of FDM technology, to ensure that the bridge is printed correctly, its maximum length should be 10 mm. Longer bridges should be equipped with supports according to the YHT principle. For metal 3D printing, the corresponding value for the bridge is 2 mm.

Concavity and embossing

Some designs have concavities or protrusions. What is the minimum size that a concavity or relief must have in order to be visible and perform its function, utilitarian or decorative? These values ​​are different for each 3D printing technology.

Moving parts

Some 3D printing technologies also allow for the creation of moving parts. In this case, when designing, it is necessary to take into account the distances between the details of the assembly. These distances should be small enough to easily break out of their supports and large enough to prevent material from fusing where the gap was designed.

Pins and protrusions

In the case of cylindrical protrusions with a small diameter, it is important that it is not too small. Too small a diameter will result in artifacts and, if the part is too tall, the part will not be 3D printed correctly.

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