To Reduce Your Part Cost

Costs are dependent on material type, layer thickness, Z height

(machine hours) and parts volume (powder).
Reducing z-height
• design parts as low as possible in Z direction
• stackable => increase filling rate
Reducing part volume
• integrated design
• lightweight design
• force flow optimized design

Tolerances on Parts
Only use symmetric tolerance zone.
The bad example has an unsymmetrical tolerance zone the good
one a symmetric.
Some tolerance values for guidance
• deviation tolerance: 0.01 mm
• angle tolerance: 2 deg

Avoiding Steps
Try to avoid flat areas with angles below 20° to XY-plane to
bypass layer steps.
Visibility and size of layer steps depending on layer thickness.

Data Format
STL is The interchange format for 3D printing technologies
The STL-format translates a surface to a set of triangles
The file size and detail resolution depends on the number of
triangles
Square-cut surfaces are easier to describe compared to freeform
or round shapes which requires many more triangles.
Hinges
Gaps (A) for hinges:
• X/Y: 0.3 mm - 0.5 mm
• Z: minimum 3 layers
Variables that impact the success of the build:
• gap between bush and bolt (A)
• length of the hinge (B)
• diameter of the bolt (C)
• thickness of the surrounding bushing (D)
• building direction
For smaller gaps please consult our experts.

Loose Connection and Tight Fit

For loose connection use 0.1 mm gap
For tight fit use same dimension for male and female
In both cases that parts will be built separately

Walls
X/Y:
• Min possible wall thickness = 0.7 mm for parts larger than
20 cm x 25 cm and 0.45 mm for smaller parts
• Min wall thickness for reproducible measurements and
mechanical properties = 1.5 mm
Z:
• Min possible wall thickness is 0.15mm for parts larger than
20 cm x 25 cm and 0.1 mm for smaller parts-length of the
hinge.

Pins
Min pin thickness = 0.8 mm
Min pin thickness for reproducible measurement and mechanical
properties = 1.8 mm

Gaps
The min size of a gap is depending on the wall thickness of the
part. (See diagram below)
 Holes
The minimum hole diameter depending on the part’s wall thickness:

Fonts
Minimum font size 14 suitable for every direction; for smaller font
size please consult our expert.

Technical information extracted from thesis by Dominik

Sippel, FH Munich and Joachim Göbner, EOS GmbH

Anubis Manufacturing Consultants Corporation Tel: 1800 905 6073/905 581 0630
4100A Sladeview Crescent unit 3-4 Fax: 1866 611 8740
Mississauga, ON , Canada , L5L 5Z3