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Designing for Strength 💪
3D prints can be surprisingly strong when designed correctly!
Layer Orientation = Strength Direction
- Strong: Load parallel to layers
- Weak: Load perpendicular (delamination)
Strengthening Techniques
1. Ribs and Gussets
- Add triangular supports at corners
- Dramatically increases stiffness
2. Increased Wall Count
- More perimeters = stronger walls
- 4+ walls for structural parts
3. Rounded Internal Corners
- Sharp corners concentrate stress
- Fillets distribute force
Material Selection
| Material | Strength | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Medium | Low (brittle) |
| PETG | High | Medium |
| ABS | High | Low |
| Nylon | Very High | High |