Guidelines for 3D Printing

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Solid Objects Surface Normals Holes and Open Edges Duplicate Surfaces Detail Sizes Floating Objects Hollowing Parts Large Models Export Options

Guidelines for 3D Printing

This short guide will help fix, modify and export 3D design data to a format suitable for 3D printing. Should you require any additional assistance to fix files, Inition specialises in processing data using dedicated editing software.

1. Solid Objects
A part generated in 3D CAD software must be made into a solid watertight object in order to be printable. Solid objects drawn in CAD software contain a volume. It is important for a 3D printer to recognise an objects volume in order to apply material in the correct places. Single-surfaced objects contain no volume and cannot be printed. Therefore, ensure any single-surfaced objects are given a specified thickness.

2. Surface Normals
Check all surface normals face the correct direction on your model. Every single-surfaced object drawn in 3D CAD packages have an inside and outside face. Where multiple surfaces face the inside to enclose itself as a solid object, a 3D printer will place material. Occasionally, the inside or outside direction known as surface normals are displayed incorrectly and this can mean material is placed in the wrong locations. Most CAD programs have the ability to highlight normal directions and unify them which makes inside facing normals hidden from view.

3. Holes and Open edges

Any holes or unconnected edges can cause errors during the print process. If a drawn object contains holes or open, unconnected edges, the geometry will not be recognised as a solid entity. This may cause errors during the print process. To correct these, fill any holes or gaps to make the object watertight.

4. Duplicate Surfaces
Any duplicate/overlapping surfaces must be deleted. Identical surfaces that exist on top of each other can cause errors during the print process and must be deleted. Use dedicated selection tools to highlight hidden duplicates. Often a rendered view of the model will show the duplicate surface as a flickered texture.

5. Detail Sizes
Thicken small details so that they do not break once printed. For unsupported fine details we recommend that they be thickened to ensure your model does not flex or break when the part is removed from the printer. The minimum thickness for details is typically 1.0mm but 0.7mm to 0.8mm can be achieved if they are well supported.

6. Floating Objects
Make sure all objects within your model are supported and not floating in empty space. Details that are not joined correctly will print as separate objects.

7. Hollowing Parts
To reduce waste and save on cost, large volumes of data can be hollowed. We provide this as a service so that an ideal wall thickness can be obtained without affecting part strength. Please contact us if you would like advice on shelling models.

8. Large Models
One way of producing large prints that exceed a 3D printers build envelope is to split the data into sections, 3D print them and join the sections together post printing.

9. Export Options
Most 3D CAD packages support a range of export formats that are compatible with 3D printing software. Choosing the right export format depends on the type of model you aim to have printed. The standard format for 3D Printing is .STL, however this format cannot hold colour information. In the case that your model has colour and textures applied, it would be better to select an alternative format such as .VRML or .ZPR. Below is a list of recommended formats accepted by Inition, as well as the formats properties to help select the most appropriate one for your data. For SketchUp users it is advised to send us the native .SKP format as it is easier to examine and fix any data anomalies in our editing software.

Format
.STL

Description
Widely used for rapid prototyping, this stereolithography format is best for creating meshed data without colour information. Stands for Virtual Reality Modelling Language, this format support models with colour and texture. Designed by ZCorporation, this format where possible should be used for data containing colour and texture. Inition accepts this native format from Rhino users. Inition accepts this native format from SketchUp from version 7 and under. Commonly used in 3D Studio Max for parts containing colour and texture. Widely accepted format that can carry colour and texture information. Commonly describes parts produced by 3D Scanners that contain colour, texture and geometry.

.VRML .ZPR .3DM .SKP .3DS .OBJ .ZCP & .PLY

Please feel free to contact us for any additional advice and information by emailing us at inition@inition.co.uk