[AR] Re: Specifying Design Intent for 3D Printed Rocket Parts

  • From: Ed LeBouthillier <codemonky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:00:38 -0700

On Wed, 2018-03-28 at 10:31 -0700, Anurag Bonthalapati wrote:

Question for all the 3D printing rocket start ups out there:

I realized that I may not have answered your questions properly.
Hopefully others with more experience will give you better information.

The issue is that different printers have different abilities and
capabilities for holding tolerances. Additionally, it's not only the
printer, but the materials and processes that affect final quality.
Issues to consider are surface finish, stresses, dimensionality etc.

Many of these things can't really be specified in your drawings and/or
3D file of the part and you will need to work with your 3D printer
service provider to ensure that the proper raw materials and processes
are used to get the dimensionality (and other properties) that you
might want. Some of it is an art, knowing how to orient parts for
build, adding supports, stress relieving and post processing. Again,
work with a representative of the service provider to make sure that
your needs are met.

In some cases, your design might need to be modified to avoid problems
that are normally encountered in the printing process.

Here are some articles on some of the issues:

https://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/152
02/7-Issues-to-Look-Out-for-in-Metal-3D-Printing.aspx

http://www.machinedesign.com/3d-printing/3d-metal-printing-tips-trends-
and-common-misconceptions

http://www.renishaw.com/en/design-for-metal-am-a-beginners-guide--42652

https://www.xometry.com/manufacturing-standards

https://support.xometry.com/hc/en-us/articles/221360787-Accuracy-for-3D
-Printed-Metals



Other related posts: