Design guide for 3D printing

Wall thickness is the distance between a model surface and the opposing adjacent surface. For a good result and a sturdy part, we recommend a minimum of 1 mm.

The way the model is printed affects several of its characteristics — surface quality being one of them. The same part printed in a different orientation will have a different finish. Think about which face needs the best finish and choose the print orientation accordingly.

Every printed model will have weaker areas due to print orientation. These areas can cause breaks in thin external elements. Avoid parts parallel to the base that need supports to stay in place — or add reinforcements.

Dimensional precision is not about model detail but about deviation from the nominal size. The general tolerance is 0.7% with a minimum of 300 µ. This can be affected by the material used or the print speed.

Supports are structures printed alongside the model but not part of the original design — they hold up parts of the model that overhang at angles greater than 45°. They are removed once printing is complete.

Overhangs up to 45° can be printed without losing quality. Beyond that, the surface in contact with the support will be rougher.

The first layer gives the model the stability it needs, so it should be as flat as possible to maximise grip surface. As a result, the bottom surface will be harder than the rest of the model.

When designing a product with moving parts, the space between surfaces is critical. The spacing determines the flexibility or ability to combine parts. A minimum clearance of 0.3 mm between surfaces is recommended.

When designing a product whose parts fit together, the spacing determines the final fit. A minimum clearance of 0.3 mm between the two mating surfaces is recommended.

Engraved details are generally preferred over embossed. For engraved details, a minimum line width of 1 mm and depth of 0.3 mm is recommended. For embossed details, a minimum line width of 2.5 mm and height of 0.5 mm.

Designs are often made up of several parts that will be joined after printing. Some tolerance values are acceptable and do not affect the function of the part. For threads and screws, a tolerance of 0.25 mm is appropriate. Thread pitch should be at least 3 mm.