Tutorials

How to 3D Texture Your Parts for FDM Printing Using SOLIDWORKS 2019!

35 7 Beginner
Instructions on how to create physical, repeating textures you can FEEL and TOUCH on your 3D prints, using a new feature found in SOLIDWORKS 2019. (And this technique will work with ANY type of 3D printer, not just Stratasys!)

How to 3D Print Jigs & Fixtures, Part 2: Designing for Print

55 5 Beginner
This is the second part of a four-part tutorial series on how to optimize your manufacturing jigs & fixtures for 3D printing. Today, we'll go over what to do in each design pass as you're optimizing your part, including specific steps to do in your CAD package, your print-preparation tool, and if you're bold, your FEA package. Later installments of this series will deal with FDM material selection and post-processing for jigs & fixtures.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Design Guidelines

25 0 Beginner
This tutorial is designed to give you a foundation of what to consider when designing and printing a part for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM is an additive manufacturing technology that extrudes thin layers of thermoplastic layer by layer until a part is completed. FDM produces robust production parts in engineer-grade thermoplastic, with the added benefits of speed and design freedom possible with 3D printing. The cutting-edge technology is utilized across industries like aerospace, energy and transportation for production components.

How to Remove FDM Support Material

9 0 Intermediate
FDM (fused deposition modeling) Technology lets you 3D print parts in a broad range of well tested plastics. FDM materials offer specialized properties like toughness, electrostatic dissipation, translucence, biocompatibility, UV resistance, VO flammability and FST ratings. This makes them perfect for demanding designers and engineers in aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, medical and other industries.

How to FDM Print for Part Sliding Clearance

13 4 Intermediate
If you are 3D printing parts that have to fit/slide together after printing, you will need to put some sort of clearance between those parts in your CAD system. A good starting place is a clearance 2x the layer height you are going to print at, but you should make a few smaller test prints at different clearances to see if the 2x layer height rule holds for your particular situation and orientation. Have fun and happy printing!

3D Printing Software: Getting Started With GrabCAD Print

9 0 Beginner
GrabCAD Print is an intuitive 3D printing tool for professionals that works across Stratasys printers. With the cloud-enabled software, users can print, schedule, report on printer utilization and material usage, and monitor print jobs from anywhere. Here's how to easily get started using GrabCAD Print.

Finishing Options for FDM and PolyJet 3D Printed Parts

22 1 Beginner
Finishing or secondary operations encompasses a broad range of processes that change a manufactured part’s properties. Engineers can employ finishing simply to improve part’s appearance and reshape it to meet certain dimensions, or use it to enhance functionality, such as increasing strength, chemical resistance, electrical conductivity and more. Secondary operations basically turn raw parts into finished goods and this isn’t limited to traditional manufactured parts. 3D printed parts can also be enhanced with secondary operations, but much like designing for additive manufacturing, different processes and best practices apply. Throughout the product design and manufacturing process, engineers should also be thinking about how 3D printed parts can be finished. Determining the appropriate finishing operations depends on the additive process, material and geometry as well as the desired aesthetics and functionality. This guide explains the primary finishing operations additive manufacturing service providers implement for FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies, grouped by possible finishing objectives, and compatible materials and applicable design considerations.

How to Create Texturing Patterns on FDM 3D Printed Parts

15 0 Beginner
When producing FDM parts that will be installed in user-facing applications, or when FDM prototypes need to have a more interesting appearance, surface profile and finish are critical. Texturing a part file allows for a unique pattern or design to be built directly into part surfaces, reducing the layer line visibility as well as post-processing time. Coatings and paint can be applied directly to the textured surface to create a finished part.

How to Insert Metal During an FDM 3D Print Job

13 1 Beginner
If not done right, metal that is inserted in FDM parts can look sloppy and unprofessional. With a few easy steps, a metal part can be inserted seamlessly and damage-free.

How to 3D Print Jigs & Fixtures, Part 1: Choosing Your Target

24 5 Beginner
This tutorial series will take users who are new to 3D printing and show them how to: - Choose which Jigs or Fixtures from your factory floor might be best improved with 3D printing (Part 1) - Optimize your J&F designs for 3D printing by using stress-analysis tools, CAD tools and new 3D print prep tools (Part 2) - Choose which FDM materials to print in for best performance (Part 3) - Post-process your Jig or Fixture for greater utility with inserts, painting, numbering, etc. (Part 4)

Variable Density FDM parts with Advanced FDM in GrabCAD Print

23 1 Intermediate
A tutorial on how to create an FDM part with discrete zones with different infill patterns & densities. This is a great but simple tactic for reducing the print time and cost of your designs as well as making them both stiff and lightweight.

How to Solvent Smooth 3D Printed FDM Parts

12 1 Beginner
The normal surface finish of FDM parts is suitable for most purposes, but in applications where a smoother surface is required, solvent smoothing is an alternative to sanding, filling, and mass finishing.

Designing for FDM Production Parts

36 0 Beginner
This best practices tutorial concentrates on factors that impact the quality, value, and performance of FDM production parts. There are a number of design considerations, material choices and performance objectives that should be taken into account when designing for additive manufacturing. Tailoring these decisions to the FDM manufacturing process allows the benefits of FDM to be maximized.

How to Give Your 3D Printed FDM Part the Smoothness of Injection Molding

6 1 Intermediate
This tutorial will demonstrate how you can give your FDM printed part the finishing smoothness of injection molding. The Finishing Touch Smoothing Station can dramatically improve the surface finish of ABS parts that are built using FDM technology. The semi-automated smoothing process is compatible with FDM’s entire line of ABS plastics.

How to design your own support structures for FDM printing

4 1 Intermediate
See below for a method to manually model support structures.