3D printing is one of the latest technologies that allow the creation of realistic and highly detailed models, which has been growing in popularity recently. It is used in various industries, such as architecture, medicine, and industry. However, designing models for 3D printing requires the proper knowledge and skills. So, if you want to know how to create a 3D print model, be sure to read the full article.
Common use cases for 3D printers
Several industries, including industrial design, jewelry manufacture, and dentistry, use 3D printers. Prototyping is one of the most widely used applications. Compared to conventional model creation techniques, a 3D printer allows you to quickly produce prototype items and parts while saving time and money.
Jewelry and ornaments can also be printed with 3D printers. 3D printers enable the creation of intricate designs impractical with conventional jewelry-making techniques because of their accuracy and high print quality.
Moreover, 3D printers can be used in the video game and film industries. For instance, a 3D printer may quickly and accurately produce models of characters, vehicles, or landscape pieces.
3D printers also find applications to produce tools and machine parts. Thanks to the precision and durability of some industrial resins, 3D printers allow the creation of features that are exposed to high stresses and, at the same time, need to be precise and durable.
How to design 3D print?
On the internet, questions like how to design a 3D print model, how to design your own 3D print models, or designing 3D models for printing, are trendy. This confirms the market trend associated with the growth of the 3D printing sector. So let's check out the next steps in preparing a 3D design for printing.
Creating a 3D model design - which program to choose?
You can use any 3D modeling program to make a 3D design. It can be professional software like Autodesk Inventor, the simpler, open-source FreeCad, or even a free browser-based application like Autodesk 123D or Tinkercad. The only condition a 3D printing program must meet is the ability to save the model in STL (Standard Triangle Language) format - which most programs can do.
It is vital to ensure the model is ready for printing and does not contain errors or deficiencies before saving the file. Some 3D design programs, such as Blender or Tinkercad, have tools to check models for errors, such as unclosed edges or intersecting elements.
How to send a design file to a 3D printer?
There are three ways to upload a design file to a 3D printer:
- USB drive - some 3D resin printers have a slot for a USB drive. In this case, you can save the design file prepared in the appropriate format on the USB drive using a computer and just plug it into the printer.
- USB cable - the second option is to connect the 3D printer to the computer with a USB cable and send the STL file directly to the printer.
- Network connection - some 3D printers, like the Sonic Mighty 8K, also have a built-in network connection function. In this case, you can send the file from your computer directly to the printer via WiFi or Ethernet.
Printing the model
The last stage of the work is printing the model according to the project's guidelines. During the printing of the model, the 3D printer gradually applies successive layers of material until the finished product is obtained.
