3D Printing Preparation, Done Properly
Getting a model from a design application to a printable file: watertight geometry, correct scale, tolerances and supports.
Imogen Clarke
Why does it matter?
A model that renders perfectly may be unprintable, because printing has physical requirements that rendering does not care about.
What are the numbers?
- Manifold requirement geometry must be watertight, with no holes or non-manifold edges
- Wall thickness a minimum set by the process and material
- Tolerances clearance needed between parts that must fit
- Orientation affects strength, surface finish and support requirements
- Common formats STL and 3MF
What should I do?
- Check the model is manifold before exporting
- Meet the minimum wall thickness for the chosen process and material
- Design clearance into parts that must fit together
- Orient for strength and finish rather than convenience
- Print a test piece before committing to a full run
What should I avoid?
Avoid:
- Exporting a render-ready model without checking manifold geometry
- Walls thinner than the process supports
- Parts designed with zero clearance
- Full production runs with no test print
When should I get help?
Short answer Bring in help when prints fail repeatedly, when parts must fit to a tolerance, or when a design must be adapted from visualization geometry to manufacturing.
Where this comes from
- Autodesk — Design for additive manufacturing
- ISO — Additive manufacturing standards
- Blender Foundation — 3D printing toolbox
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on 3D Design & Development work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
