Useful Tips and Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing Models for 3D Printing

Being a versatile technology, 3D printing unlocks unique opportunities—you can craft realistic objects, model your favorite fictional characters, and delve into the art of sculpting. This innovative method is also employed by large corporations, e.g., in biological prosthetics prototyping. While it all sounds fascinating, is it truly that straightforward in practice?

Both beginner and seasoned creators frequently stumble upon common mistakes when creating 3D images and preparing them for printing. This article delves into the prevalent mistakes in 3D printing and offers practical guidance to address them. Read on to discover the provided tips on 3D modeling and printing with ease.

4 common 3D printing mistakes

While 3D printing can be a fascinating endeavor, it can also be quite frustrating. According to the educational platform Makers Empire, its students often feel disheartened because printing even a small object can take up to 30 minutes, and the final 3D model may not turn out as envisioned.

To avoid a negative experience, you must be aware of 3D printing principles, material intricacies, and modeling techniques. Below are the most frequent mistakes that newcomers can make.

FAQ: What precautions should you take when 3D printing?

When engaging in 3D printing, it's crucial to prioritize safety. Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated, particularly when using materials that may emit fumes. Fire safety is also necessary, so have a fire extinguisher and never leave your printer unattended during operation. Properly position your 3D printer on a stable, non-flammable surface, and handle hot components with care, using safety gear when necessary.

Mistake #1: Not taking the properties of materials into account

There are 10+ different materials available for 3D printing. These can be plastics, metals, ceramics, resins, and others. Each material comes with its unique set of properties. For example, working with plastics is relatively easy, and the resulting models tend to be durable. On the other hand, metal 3D printing is frequently used in industrial production and can be quite challenging for beginners to handle.

Below are useful tips on working with printing materials properly:

• Learn material specifications. Even if you work with one specific substance, its properties may vary depending on the manufacturer. Thus, it's recommended to explore the provided specifications in advance. You can find material information on the producer's website, thematic forums, and official databases. Also, search for features of each specific material like plastic or ceramic with the filament properties table.
• Ensure optimal printing temperature for each material. First, refer to the manufacturer's specifications, and then start testing. Baseline numbers may differ based on the material's properties. For example, polylactic acid (PLA) can be printed at around 190–220°C, while ceramic measures vary from 1,000 to 1,600°C.
• Check for moisture. If filaments absorb too much moisture, this can cause poor quality due to extrusion problems, weaknesses, and delamination. Moreover, this can decrease the lifespan of ready-made models.
• Experiment with print speed. Since 3D printing materials are different, it influences the working process. For example, polylactic acid typically performs well at moderate speeds, while acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) requires slower speeds due to its higher melting points and tendency to warp.

If you need help deciding which material to begin practicing with, consider working with 3D-printed nylons. Such models are stronger and more durable than those made from PLA or ABS.

FAQ: What are the seven issues to look out for in metal 3D printing?

Metal 3D printing comes with several challenges:

• The quality and consistency of the metal powder used must be rigorously maintained to avoid defects;
• Porosity, often stemming from gas entrapment, can compromise part strength;
• Complex support structures are often necessary for metal prints, complicating post-processing;
• Overheating and cracking may appear due to rapid thermal cycling, demanding precise temperature control;
• Managing warping and distortion, typically arising from uneven cooling, is crucial;
• Achieving a smooth surface finish is often labor-intensive, requiring secondary processing;
• Finally, metal 3D printing is inherently costlier than traditional methods due to equipment and material expenses.

Mistake #2: Not understanding different 3D printing techniques

Simply choosing the right material is not enough—printing technique also matters because it can be incompatible with the substances at use. Сurrently, there are 10+ methods; some are beginner-friendly, while others require deep knowledge and industrial equipment.

Let's have a closer look at three common printing techniques suitable for beginners and explore what cases they can be utilized in:

1. Fused deposition modeling (FDM)—involves creating three-dimensional objects layer by layer using digital data, with thin plastic threads as the primary material. This technology is perfect for beginners interested in crafting straightforward prototypes.
2. Laser Stereolithography (SLA)—a 3D printing method based on utilizing lasers to make solid objects from liquid resin. The laser creates patterns that harden and form layers. The technique can be used for modeling highly detailed objects.
3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)—implies using lasers that melt and fuse small particles of powder materials. For example, these can be plastic or metal. The method is excellent for producing functional parts with high strength and heat resistance.

Mistake #3: Creating 3D models with thin walls

When modeling your objects, you can make the walls too thin, making it difficult to print some of the object's sections. This also can cause the fragility of ready-made models. To avoid this issue, prepare high-quality models before printing. You can also use specialized software like NetFabb to check whether your 3D object is ready for printing.

Extra tips to address the thin walls problem:

• Adjust your model in CAD software before printing.
• Consider using support structures to reinforce your model during printing.
• Ensure slower printing speed, which allows you to make fragile details more accurate.
• Select a filament that suits your wall thickness requirements. Some filaments, like flexible materials, may require thicker walls to prevent sagging or distortion.

FAQ: What could go wrong with 3D printing?

Common problems are print failures due to misalignment or bad leveling issues, poor adhesion, or warping. Inaccuracies can occur, resulting in misshapen or misaligned objects. Filament jams, nozzle clogs, or insufficient cooling may lead to defects, while overhangs or intricate features might require support structures that can be challenging to remove.

Mistake #4: Ignoring model resolution

There are many file formats for 3D printing, like STL, OBJ, AMF, and 3MF. They represent models in different shapes. For example, STL converts your image into triangles. It's the most preferable format for beginners because it's easily readable and widely supported by 3D printers. However, you should also ensure high resolution so you can zoom in on your 3D model and check detail smoothness.

FAQ: How do you improve the 3D printing process?

First, familiarize yourself with your 3D printer's capabilities and limitations, including its build volume, temperature range, and print speed. You can also experiment with different settings, such as layer height, infill density, and print speed. Select high-quality filament and ensure it is stored properly to prevent moisture absorption.

Reliable sources of ready-made 3D images

Since the success of your work depends on model quality, you can consider downloading** 3DP designs** from specialized sources. If needed, you can modernize them in CAD software.

The most popular 3D model sources are:

Cults3D

This is a vast collection of 3D models made by professional designers. Their 3DP designs are organized into different categories. For example, if you're searching for tabletop chess figurines or smiley 3D images, the repository will provide you with several choices from various creators. You can download these files in multiple formats, making them suitable for any 3D printer.

PinShape

PinShape is an online marketplace of printable 3D models featuring millions of high-quality files. For your convenience, all objects are separated into categories like toys, home living, jewelry, creatures, etc. To ensure the good printability of each model, you can browse other users' reviews and ratings.

YouMagine

This platform features 19,000+ 3D models, all of which can be downloaded and printed. You can browse specific objects sorted into topics or look through collections where models are grouped by items. The most popular choices are highlighted on the main page.

Conclusion

3D printing is an exciting process with a steep learning curve. Know that If your 3D models frequently break or appear unrealistic, the problem may lie in your material choices, printer settings, and the quality of your source files. The process itself involves many intricacies that beginners may not be familiar with, so refer to this article whenever you’re in need of any help.