Even though the three dimensional printing technology was present in the decade of 1980s, the technology did not make its foray into manufacturing and design till the end of 1990s. It was only in the late 2000s that 3D printing started becoming mainstream and today it is one of the most talked about advancement in the world of design and marketing. This technology makes it possible to print a 3D model or a prototype in very easy steps and here are the possible steps on how to make a model.
- Use Good Modeling Software
Good modeling software is the first requirement for the model. It ensures that the individual units of the model are arranged correctly and are built according to scale. The grid lines should also be set up to ensure that the product is built to scale and all the units can be correctly manipulated and arranged.
- Plan the Design before Printing
While building a model two very important factors need to be kept in mind – the wall thickness and detail. These two together are determined based on the purpose with which the model is being built and they can vary depending on the printer and the model used. The minimum thickness is important considering the strength of the material used for construction. The detail of the model will also depend on what the model is being used for and how much detail can the 3D printer render.
- Creating the Model
Once all the layers have been finalized and the designing part has been completed then it is important to create the actual model which will be printed. Once the design looks satisfactory the model is ready for printing and one should check out the 3D simulation on the software before hitting the print button. At this stage it is very important to remember that the interlocking parts can always be created. The only thing that needs to be kept in mind is the level of detail of the model and the level of detail that can be rendered by the printer should be the same.
- Create a Readable Format for Printers
It is important to convert the model and the design to a readable format that can be read by the printers and can easily be opened for editing across multiple popular software in case of 3D printing. This makes the design more versatile and easily modifiable in case required.
- Uploading to the Right Printing Software
Good printing software will ensure that the model is rendered accurately. The software should have the capability to break up the 3D model into elaborate 2D plates and then render all the details using additive manufacturing technique.
- Choosing the Right Material for Printing
It is very important to choose the right material that is durable and can be used to build the model. The material should also be compatible with the printer that is being used and also the pattern that is to be printed.