How to design for Additive Manufacturing with PolyJet

As with other manufacturing techniques, the 3D printing / additive manufacturing process can be challenging and demands a level of expertise and familiarization. This design for PolyJet guide aims to help designers produce quality and cost-effective parts on Stratasys PolyJet 3D Printers.

The guide provides information for both new and experienced users. The topics covered in this guide describe tools and methods for optimizing design features, strength, and durability of printed parts, and ensuring that the parts meet your expectations. It provides best practices and tips on designing for additive manufacturing, and examples of how to take advantage of Stratasys unique features to get the most out of a PolyJet 3D printer, while minimizing printing costs and post-processing issues.

Additive Manufacturing with PolyJet Paper

Design for PolyJet Guide Contents

• Introduction to PolyJet
• General Design Guidelines
  • Minimum Wall Thickness
  • Fine Details / Tolerances
  • Overlapping Geometry
  • Designing Assemblies for All-in-One Print
  • Enclosed Hollows
  • Adding Fillets for Increased Strength
  • Text Creation
  • Sacrificial Geometry for Build Support in Thin Wall Structures
• Functional Components
  • Screws and Threads
  • Screws, Bolts, and Threaded Inserts
  • Snap Fits
  • Ball Joints
  • Hinges/Pivots
  • Living Hinges
• Sectioning and Support
  • Section Parts Larger than Build Volume
  • Sectioning Parts for Surface Quality
• Improving Print Quality
  • Ghost Shelling for Reducing the Appearance of Layer Lines
• PolyJet Flexible Materials
• Flexible Parts with Inner Core
• Flexible Agilus30 for Reduced Tackiness
• Cost and Time Savings
  • Explore the GrabCAD Community Library
  • Scale
  • Sectioning
  • Hollow Parts
  • Material Savings
  • Time Savings
  • Topology Optimization
• Considerations for Reproducing CMF Models
  • Color Testing
  • Using Vero Vivid Materials
  • UV Mapping/Texturing
  • Bump/Displacement
  • WRL/OBJ
  • Multiple Overlapping Non-Joined Shells
  • File Resolution
  • Text and Labels