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Design Guide for 3D Printing
Short, specific rules with numbers. Follow them and your part will be stronger, more accurate and cheaper.
Wall Thickness
The recommended minimum wall thickness for 3D printing is 0.75 mm (down to 0.5 mm for some designs). For load-bearing…
Holes and Openings
The smallest recommended hole for 3D printing is about 1–2 mm in diameter; for precise holes (bushings, shafts), design them…
Threads and Threaded Inserts
The most durable thread in a 3D printed part is a metal threaded insert, heat-set into a prepared hole. For…
Clearances Between Parts
Leave a clearance between separate parts or moving components: MJF and SLS – ≥0.5–1 mm, FDM – 1–2 mm, SLA…
Moving Parts and Assemblies
MJF and SLS can produce moving assemblies in one piece – hinges, chains, rotating parts – provided you leave sufficient…
Snap-Fits and Latches
For snap-fits choose PA11 or PA12 (MJF/SLS) – they withstand many bending cycles. To prevent breakage, fillet the base of…
Orientation and Supports
SLA and FDM parts are built with supports – orientation determines surface quality, strength and cost. MJF and SLS need…
Warping
Large flat and thin parts can warp due to uneven cooling. Avoid large solid flat areas, reinforce them with ribs…
Tolerances and Accuracy
Typical 3D printing accuracy: SLA ±0.2 mm / ±0.2 %, MJF and SLS ±0.3 mm / ±0.3 %, FDM ±0.5…
Surface Quality
The smoothest surface comes from SLA; MJF and SLS surfaces are matte and slightly rough; FDM shows visible layers. Surfaces…
File Preparation
Before uploading: a closed (watertight) model, correct units (mm), one part per file, sufficient STL resolution. We accept STL, STEP,…
STL Resolution
STL resolution should be high enough for smooth curves, but not excessive: 0.01–0.05 mm deviation is usually sufficient. Excessive resolution…
Cavities and Hollow Parts
A hollow part costs less because it uses less material. In powder bed technologies (MJF, SLS), leave at least one…