This is a presentation I gave at Maker Faire NYC 2013. I outline my top 10 tips for designing optimized models for desktop FFF 3D printers. You can see the live presentation here: http://youtu.be/Z8ZthdEifOo

1. TOP 1O TIPS
for Design for 3D Print
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

2. Kacie
Hultgren
“Pretty small things”
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

3. #1
Avoid
Overhangs
•
45 Degree Rule
•
Keep in mind as your design
•
Or, cut up a design
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

4. Plated Okapi by: PrettySmallThings - Derived from Original by : Masayuki
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

5. #2
Add Custom
Support
Make your own, custom, smarter
support to avoid waste.
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

6. Snoopy by: offcentercreations
Mike Wascowski by: offcentercreations
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

7. #3
Ditch the
Raft
If you need more adhesion, add
“mouse ears” or “helper discs” for
extra stick where you need it.
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

8. Mouse Eared Rocket Fincan by Tbuser
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

9. #4
Know your
Details
As a rule of thumb, the smallest
feature you can create is double
your threadwidth + fudge factor
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

10. Wicker Chair by: Pretty Small Things
Font Test Card by: Design Make Teach
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

11. #5
Design in fit
tolerance
Test your tolerances before you
start, so you can plan for success.
.25mm offset is a tight fit
.4mm offset is better for removable parts
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

12. #6
•
properly
•
Control wall thickness on vases
•
Aid in adhesion
•
Use Shells
Shells add strength
They can backfire on thin walls
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

13. Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

14. #7
Optimize
walls for
threadwidth
Use multiples of your threadwidth
for thin walls.
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

15. #8
Orient
•
Resolution refers to Z-height, and
it’s not equal to X/Y resolution
resolution
•
This is especially important with
sloping parts
for best
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

17. #9
Orient
for Stress
Print can delaminate or break
along layer lines. Orient parts so
the stress is perpendicular to the
layer lines.
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

18. Pin Connectors V3 by Emmett
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

19. #10
Pull design elements to the platform
Tackle
print in
place
Umbrella by: Zomboe
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

20. #10
Use 45degree overhangs to build up & out
Tackle
print in
place
Rotator Cuff Bracelet by: Eric Young
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren
Windsor Chair by: PrettySmallThings

21. #10
Use bridges for captive parts
Tackle
print in
place
Hinged Box by: anewsome
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

22. #10
Gap print carefully
Tackle
print in
place
Sealed Bearing by: Barspin
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren

23. Kacie
Hultgren
Twitter: @KacieHultgren
prettysmallthings@gmail.com
“Pretty small things”
Top Ten Tips for Design for 3D Printing - Maker Faire NYC 2013 - Kacie Hultgren