3D Artists Meetup

There are many 3D modeling programs out there for creating stunning 3D designs. But what looks great on

a screen isn’t necessarily ready to be 3D printed. Typically 3D models need some preparation to be 3D

printable.

Printability Issues▷ Solidity ▷ Flipped Faces▷ Overlapping / Intersecting

objects▷ Non-Manifold Edges▷ Wall Thickness

1. Solidity if your design were filled with water, would it trickle into the any hidden cracks between the walls? Sometimes, you might be missing a vertex, or a vertex might not be properly connected.

2. Flipped FacesFaces that are pointing in the wrong direction

3. Overlapping / Intersecting objects

When two or more objects overlap or intersect, the inside and outside of the models cannot be properly distinguished. This will cause either a failure to print, weak areas in the print.

4. Non-Manifold Edges

It occurs when more than two surfaces share together an edge.

5. Wall Thickness

Are the walls of your object thick enough to print? Check your material’s wall thickness specifications

Materials

ABS / PLA Plastics

ABS and PLA are great starter materials: affordable, durable and widely available. They're available in all colors, and well-suited for prototyping mechanical parts and designs that don’t have a lot of overhangs.

● Low-cost ● Mechanical parts● Good for Cases, holders,

adapters● Games, toys● Scale models

● Intricate designs● High detail

What to consider

● Support Structures : Supports are used when models have steep overhangs or unsupported areas. For example, if you printed an arch, the very center of this arch might require support material because when your printer tries to print that top layer, there would be nothing else supporting it from below.

What to consider

● Infill / Filling : infill refers to the structure that is printed inside an object. It is extruded in a designated percentage and pattern, which is set in the slicing software. Infill percentage and pattern influence print weight, material usage, strength, print time and sometimes decorative properties. Generally speaking, the higher the infill percentage, the stronger the print, but the longer it takes to print. In most cases, 5% – 15% infill is sufficient.100% infill is very rarely used.

High Detail Resin

UV-cured resin prints display fine details, sharp edges and a smooth finish. Color availability is limited, but it is easily paintable and can also be semi-translucent.

● Intricate designs and sculptures

● Small, high detail models● Jewelry, art● Investment casting

● Large models● Post Processing● Color availability

What to consider

● Support Structures : Supports are used when models have steep overhangs or unsupported areas. For example, if you printed an arch, the very center of this arch might require support material because when your printer tries to print that top layer, there would be nothing else supporting it from below.

SLS Nylon

it's the perfect all-rounder: easy design rules, strong and slightly flexible. Nylon allows for functional end products and complex designs. Its surface is a bit grainy, but it can be polished for a smooth finish.Nylon prints are laser sintered on industrial 3D printers. The technology gives you a high degree of form freedom and you can even print moving parts in one go.

● Functional prototypes and end products

● Complex designs with intricate details

● Moving and assembled parts● Cases, holders, adapters

● Machine Cost● Post Processing

What to consider

● No Support Structures : you can print any model support free.

● Hollowing : It’s the process of making a solid object hollow from the inside to reduce material usage.

Full Color Sandstone

Gypsum with a colored texture on the surface. The best choice for photo-realistic, full color prints. Ideal for professional (scale) models, architecture, product design and fine arts. Full Color Sandstone doesn’t allow for protruding features smaller than 3 millimeters because of the brittleness of the material. Also walls have to be wider than 2 millimeters.

● Architectural models● sculptures● Scanned models● Topographic Models

● Functional parts● Fragile ● Color will wash out in time● Machine Cost● Post Processing

What to consider

● No Support Structures : you can print any model support free.

● Hollowing : It’s the process of making a solid object hollow from the inside to reduce material usage.

Gold / Silver / Bronze / Brass Printing Process

What to consider

Some detail is lost during polishing

What to consider

Internal detail can not be polished

Thank You