SLA- SLS- MJF- Printing- Rules

1. Hole. Hole size stands for minimum diameter that a machine can successfully print. To decide the diameter, please check 3D Printing services rules in the following part.

 

1. Escape Hole. Prepare at least one escape hole for hollow model so that excess material can escape during 3D Printing process. It is best to have multiple escape holes at different locations so that excess material near the hole can be removed.

 

1. Vertical Post Thickness. In the model, post is the protruding part where length exceeds 2 times the width (embossed detail is when length less than 2 times the width). Part that does not meet the guidelines might warp or detach from the model during printing. Please increase the thickness or select different materials.

Supported post is when both ends are connected to wall.

 

Unsupported post is when only end is connected to wall.

 

1. Embossed Details. Embossed details are feature raised on the model, for instance, text. Feature that does not meet guidelines of thickness and height might not be visible on your print. Please consider the effect of post-processing as well. Width and height of the feature may need to be increased or choose the suitable materials.

 

1. Engraved Details. Engraved details are feature imprinted or recessed below your model. Feature that does not meet guidelines of thickness and height might not be visible on your print. Please consider the effect of post-processing as well. Width and height of the feature may need to be increased or choose the suitable materials.

 

1. Clearance. Clearance is the distance needed between two connecting or mobile parts of a model. Support might not be removed if clearance less than the required distance.

 

1. Threads and Screws. To design and 3D print threads and screws that fit is a challenge. The recommended thread angle is 20°. Pitch diameter varies from different materials and the recommended value is larger than 0.6mm.

 

1. Warping. Warping occurs due to material shrinkage while 3D Printing as the temperature differences between layers are too big so that it creates tension within the model. When it gets to be too much, the lower layers start to drag or lift. It is a physical change when melted, sintered, scanned with a laser or solidified. Besides, flat surfaces are prone to be warping. The solution is to avoid large flat surface or added rounded corners to the 3D models.

i.e.:

 

1. Surface Resolution. To ensure a good quality print, the level of detail and choose the right resolution should be considered. The level of detail varies by different 3D Printing technologies and materials. Therefore, it is important to design the minimum level details of 3D model and choose 3D Printing services accordingly.

i.e.:

 

1. Tolerance. Tolerances describe how much deviation from a particular value is expected or acceptable. In 3D printing, machines have specific tolerances. This means that prints may slightly deviate from the actual dimensions. A tighter tolerance indicates consistently higher dimensional accuracy.

3. SLA Printing Rules

Printing Theory

SLA, as known as Stereolithography, is a 3D Printing technology that uses UV laser light to keep curing liquid resin layer by layer, and eventually create a solid object.

Design Rules

1. Supported Wall

2. Unsupported Wall

Materials	Wall Thickness
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos Tough Resin Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	1mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	1mm

3. Minimum Hole Diameter

Materials	Diameter
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos Tough Resin Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	1.2mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.8mm

4. Minimum Escape Hole Diameter

Recommendation: > 2.0 mm Diameter

5. Minimum Vertical Post Thickness

Materials	Supported Post	Unsupported Post
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos Tough Resin Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	1.2mm	1.5mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.5mm	0.5mm

6. Minimum Embossed Detail

Materials	Width & Height
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	1.2mm
Somos Tough Resin	1.5mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.5mm

7. Minimum Engraved Detail

Materials	Width & Height
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	1.2mm
Somos Tough Resin	1.5mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.5mm

8. Minimum Unsupported Overhang Angle

Recommendation: >20° from level

Materials	Width & Height
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	1.2mm
Somos Tough Resin	1.5mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.5mm

9. Minimum Clearance

Materials	Clearance Distance
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos Tough Resin Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	2.0mm
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.5mm

10. Threads and Screws Design Requirements

Materials	Pitch Diameter	Thread Angle
Somos® GP Plus 14122 C-UV 9400E Somos Tough Resin Somos® Taurus Somos® LEDO 6060	0.6mm	20°
Somos® WaterShed XC 11122	0.5mm	20°

11. Tolerance

200μm or 0.2%

4. SLS Printing Rules

Printing Theory

SLS, Selective Laser Sintering, uses a high-power laser to sinter powdered material, leading the laser automatically at points based on a 3D model, binding the material together to create a solid and stable structure.

Design Rules

1. Supported Wall

Materials	5*5mm	10*10mm	50*50mm	100*100mm	200*200mm
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	0.8mm	0.8mm	1mm	1mm	1.2mm

2. Unsupported Wall

Materials	Wall Thickness
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	0.8mm

3. Minimum Hole Diameter

Materials	Diameter
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	1.5mm

4. Minimum Escape Hole Diameter

Recommendation: > 2.0 mm Diameter

5. Minimum Vertical Post Thickness

Materials	Supported Post	Unsupported Post
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	1mm	1mm

6. Minimum Embossed Detail

Materials	Width & Height
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	1mm

7. Minimum Engraved Detail

Materials	Width & Height
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	1mm

Materials	Width & Height
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	1mm

Materials	Clearance Distance
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	1mm

Materials	Pitch Diameter	Thread Angle
SLS White Nylon SLS Black Nylon SLS FS3400GF fiberglass PPGB	0.6mm	20°

Materials	5*5mm	10*10mm	50*50mm	100*100mm	200*200mm
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	0.6mm	0.8mm	1mm	1mm	1.2mm

Materials	Wall Thickness
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	0.8mm

Materials	Diameter
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	1.5mm

Materials	Supported Post	Unsupported Post
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	1mm	1mm

Materials	Width & Height
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	1mm

Materials	Width & Height
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	1mm

Materials	Width & Height
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	1mm

Materials	Clearance Distance
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	1mm

Materials	Pitch Diameter	Thread Angle
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12	0.6mm	20°