Design for 3D PrintingThink Print-First
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Design for 3D Printing

Course progress0/11
1Design Thinking
  • Think Print-First
  • Design an L-Bracket
2Tolerances and Fit
  • Understanding Tolerances
  • Design Mating Parts
3Bridging and Edges
  • Bridging Gaps
  • Design a Bridge Structure
  • Chamfers & Fillets
4Multi-Part Design
  • Multi-Part Design
  • Design an Assembly
5Phone Stand Project
  • Phone Stand Design Brief
  • Project: Phone Stand

Design for 3D Printing

Course progress0/11
1Design Thinking
  • Think Print-First
  • Design an L-Bracket
2Tolerances and Fit
  • Understanding Tolerances
  • Design Mating Parts
3Bridging and Edges
  • Bridging Gaps
  • Design a Bridge Structure
  • Chamfers & Fillets
4Multi-Part Design
  • Multi-Part Design
  • Design an Assembly
5Phone Stand Project
  • Phone Stand Design Brief
  • Project: Phone Stand

Think Print-First 🧠

Think Print-First
Design with printing in mind from the start

The best 3D printed designs consider printing from the start.

The Print-First Mindset

Ask yourself:

  1. 1How will this sit on the print bed?

  2. 2Where are the overhangs?

  3. 3What's the minimum feature size?

  4. 4How will I remove supports?

Orientation Matters

The same model can be:

  • Easy to print in one orientation

  • ❌ Impossible in another

    • Design for Strength

    Print orientation affects strength:

    • Strong: Load parallel to layers

    • Weak: Load perpendicular (can delaminate)

    Design critical stress points to run along layers!