So far, FDM has become the preferred choice of 3D printing enthusiasts by virtue of its high cost performance. FDM printers use thermoplastic materials, and consumables are usually provided in the form of filament. Consumables melt and extrude through the nozzle layer by layer, and finally form a finished product model. What problems should be paid attention to when designing FDM model?

1. Platform adhesion

Ideally, the bottom of the model should be large and flat. When printing the first layer, this will provide enough surface area to fully adhere to the platform. If the model does not have enough adhesion to the platform, edge warping may occur.

Of course, you can also use the skirt and bottom raft in the software to reduce the edge warping, but the bottom raft is not recommended, which will drag your printing time and is difficult to remove, and may damage the bottom of the model.

2.45 degree rule

In general, the protruding part of the model that is more than 45 ° needs to be supported when printing. So when we model, we should try to avoid large angle.

3. Minimum thickness of model

The nozzle diameter of FDM 3D printer is certain. When setting the wall thickness of the printing model, the minimum wall thickness that the printer can print should be considered. Otherwise, failure or wrong models will appear. Generally, the minimum thickness is 2mm, and the thickness of 3D printer is different in different forming methods.

4. Adjust the printing direction for the best accuracy

For FDM printers, you can only control the accuracy (layer thickness) in the Z direction, because the accuracy in the XY direction has been determined by the line width.

If your model has some fine design, it is better to confirm whether the printing direction of the model is able to print out those fine features. It is recommended to print these details (vertically) in the z-axis direction.

When you design the model, you'd better put the details in a convenient position for vertical printing. It's really not good. You can cut the model and print it, and then reassemble it.

5. fill

A very important aspect to consider is filling. When using FDM to print, in slicer software, you can select the parts modeled by solid model to print with patterned, mostly hollow internal geometry instead of solid material. When designing large parts for printing, keep this in mind and if you are printing with FDM, you do not have to be solid. Filling density and shape will affect the final strength of printing.

6. Place your model correctly

When printing, model placement is also a big learning. In addition to the above mentioned adjustment of printing direction, you also need to pay attention to the placement position to minimize the probability of adding support. In addition, if a large number of models are printed together, the model placement needs to pay attention to the next interval. It is not necessarily a good thing to be too close.

SSources from: https://creality3dpro.store/blogs/news