How Can You Print Complex and Intricate Shapes

How can you print complex and intricate shapes with 3D pr... https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-print-comp...
All / Manufacturing /
Published on Jul 4, 2023
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1 Choose the right printer
2 Optimize your design
3 Use support structures
4 Adjust your settings
5 Post-process your print

Be the first to add your personal experience
6 Here’s what else to consider

Be the first to add your personal experience
2 · 6 Contributions
Not all 3D printers are created equal. Some are better suited for printing complex shapes than
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others. For example, FDM printers use a nozzle to deposit layers of melted plastic on a platform,
while SLA printers use a laser to cure layers of liquid resin on a vat. FDM printers are more
affordable and versatile, but they have limitations in resolution, accuracy, and support structures.
SLA printers are more expensive and require more post-processing, but they can produce
smoother, finer, and more detailed prints. Depending on your budget, design, and purpose, you
should choose the printer that best matches your needs.
STEM, Maker, PBL, Play, Advocate for Children
In my experience, it is about what you want to design and who is working around you.
The FDM printers absolutely can do fine detail. You can use smaller nozzles and you can slow
down the prints. You also have options with different types of filament. Decent printers can be
purchases for $200.00 and up but you must learn to tinker with them to print well.
The SLA or resin printers have issues with fumes and can be quite messy. They are able to do
intricate detail as well but for me the mess and the fumes are two things I cannot adapt to in my
printing environment. Again, as with FDM, price will be a factor. Cheap SLA printers can be
purchased but you will have to learn the ins and outs to troubleshoot.
· 1
3D printing consultant, 3D printer builder
One thing to keep in mind here, is that SLA is generally much smaller in size, compared to what
FDM can do. When speaking about part complexity, this is usually not limiting. There's a big
difference between part complexity and individual details.
SLA is really good to make small, intricate parts which need high resolution, like jewelry.
FDM is much better suited for larger parts, such as remote-controlled models, outpatient
prosthetics, or even buildings (see )
Budget is generally similar if for quality results - what matters if your application, so choose
…see more
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based on this.
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Before you print, you should optimize your design to make it more 3D printing friendly. This
means avoiding features that are too thin, too small, or too intricate for your printer to handle.
You should also consider the orientation, size, and scale of your model, as they affect the print
quality and duration. You can use 3D modeling software or online tools to edit, repair, and
simplify your design. You should also check for errors, gaps, or overlaps that could cause printing
failures.
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Mechanical Design Engineer | CAD Specialist | 3D Modeling | Design Optimization | Product Develop…
Designing small features in 3D printing requires careful consideration to ensure accuracy and
structural integrity. If features are too small, they can lead to fragile or unusable parts.
Specialized software tools like MeshLab or Netfabb help address this issue by enabling the
creation of optimized designs specifically tailored for 3D printing.
· 2 (edited)
One2 ·of the biggest challenges of printing complex shapes is dealing with overhangs and bridges.
6 Contributions
These are parts of your model that extend beyond the previous layer or span across a gap
without any support. If you print them without support structures, they will sag, warp, or collapse.
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Support structures are additional material that hold up the overhanging or bridging parts until the
print is finished. You can either design them manually or use your slicing software to generate
them automatically. However, you should also be careful not to use too much or too little support,
as they can affect the print quality and waste material.
STEM, Maker, PBL, Play, Advocate for Children
I agree with Matthew; the purpose in design should be to use the least amount of supports as
possible. Can you change the direction/orientation of your design to not need supports? Can
you change the settings on your machines, such as the speed of the print, to not need supports?
Questions to ponder before printing. Also, there are usually settings in slicers to achieve the
support needed to get the design to print. …see more
· 3
Aero Engines Applications Engineer at Starrag
Despite challenging designs, build orientation minimizes the number of supports required. A key
mentality to printing is the part is being grown. Each technology will have different stability
ranges which require more care. Supports expand those limits beyond those unstable areas
during the growth process. Optimal support structures are material and application specific.
Designing supports should be thought of as a minimization problem. "What are the least …seenumb…
more
· 2
Another way to improve your print quality is to adjust your settings according to your model and
printer. Some of the settings that can make a difference are layer height, infill, speed,
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temperature, and cooling. Layer height determines the resolution and smoothness of your print.
Infill determines the density and strength of your print. Speed determines how fast your printer
moves and extrudes material. Temperature determines how well your material melts and bonds.
Cooling determines how quickly your material solidifies and shrinks. You should experiment with
different settings to find the optimal balance between quality and efficiency.

3D printing consultant, 3D printer builder
Some additional considerations to take into account for your settings, in my experience, are
choices related to what material you're working with. Whether SLA or FDM, different materials
behave differently with different settings. PLA, for example, will need a print surface between 55
and 65 degrees to adhere to a PEI-covered sheet. On glass with tape you can even print cold.
Having your print volume enclosed will also be necessary to avoid warping during the print
process with ABS, Nylon or PolyPropylene.
Another thing to consider is the ambient environment. A humid and warm room will need
different settings than a cold and dry one. So if you have seasonal variations, your print settings
need to adjust as well.
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After your print is done, you should post-process it to remove any imperfections and enhance its
appearance. This may involve removing the support structures, sanding, smoothing, trimming,
gluing, painting, or coating your print. Depending on your printer and material, you may also need
to wash, dry, or cure your print. Post-processing can be tedious and time-consuming, but it can
also be rewarding and fun. You can use various tools and techniques to transform your print into
a polished and professional-looking product.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous
sections. What else would you like to add?
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How can you print complex and intricate shapes with 3D pr... https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-print-comp...

Published on Jul 4, 2023

Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community

1 Choose the right printer

2 Optimize your design

3 Use support structures

4 Adjust your settings

5 Post-process your print

6 Here’s what else to consider

STEM, Maker, PBL, Play, Advocate for Children

3D printing consultant, 3D printer builder

Some ways to get started:

STEM, Maker, PBL, Play, Advocate for Children

Aero Engines Applications Engineer at Starrag

Some ways to get started:

3D printing consultant, 3D printer builder

Some ways to get started:

Some ways to get started:

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