Preparing Files for Submission

Before exporting parts for 3D printing ensure the following;

✔️ Document units are set to millimetres & model is at the desired print dimensions - 1:1 scale All dFab slicing software units are set to millimetres. We do not scale any submitted work.

Fusion 360

1. Select Document Settings in the browser tree (left panel).

2. Check active units, change to mm if necessary.

Rhino

Rhino File > Properties > Units > Model Units change to mm if necessary

✔️ Model/s are fully closed, manifold and watertight There must be no holes or gaps within a model. Single surfaces, open or disjointed surfaces cannot be printed. Slicing software may either register objects incorrectly or not register objects at all. Resolving Open / Non-Manifold Meshes

Fusion 360

All open bodies bodies are shown in the browser tree (left panel) with an orange icon.

Rhino

If an extrusion, polysurface, subD or mesh is listed as open, it is not suitable for printing. Objects listed as open are not suitable for printing as they have a 0mm wall thickness.

Object Properties can be checked in a number of ways;

• Option 1 - Command Line Select the object you wish to print & read the command line
• Option 2 - What Select the object you wish to print & enter the command What
• Option 3 - Properties Select the object you wish to print and view the properties menu.

dFab recommends checking a model again after it has been converted to a mesh.

✔️ Model does not require excessive support Models requiring significant support should be split up where possible. This will reduce the print time and limit material waste. If significant, difficult-to-remove support is required, dFab does not recommend standard FDM printing.

✔️ Model fits within the relevant printer's build volume All models submitted must fit within the printers build area.

✔️ Model is not a basic or planar form that can be easily fabricated by other means If a model is planar or has a number of thin features consider laser cutting or hand-making. Thin Rods, Pillars, and Columns should not be printed

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Create Mesh & Export

All files submitted to the bureau must be saved as .stl files. This can be done by creating a mesh & exporting as an .stl Improving Mesh Resolution & Mesh Repair

Fusion 360

1. Right-click on the Component in the browser tree (left panel).

2. Select Save As Mesh

3. Select File Format. (STL Binary)

4. Click OK

Rhino

Create Mesh

1. Select Object, enter command mesh

2. select desired Polygon count / Mesh density

3. Click OK

Check Mesh

1. Select the mesh, enter command check

Export Mesh

1. Select the mesh

2. File>Export Selected......

3. In the Export window, select the STL file type.

4. Name the file and click Save

5. In the STL Export Options window, select Binary uncheck export open objects and click OK,

Blender

1. Select object to export

2. File>Export>STL(.stl)

3. Name File

4. Ensure Selection Only is checked

5. Click Export STL

To print multiple meshes, you will need to export each body/object as a separate .stl file

model containing two meshes.

objects separated into individual .stl files

.stl files should not contain multiple meshes unless printing objects have been designed to be integrated or captive.

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File Formatting

File Naming Convention

All files submitted to the service bureau must match the following naming conventions: QTY[#]_[COLOUR]_[PARTNAME]

For Example:

QTY1_Red_FrontGear

1 copy of Front Gear printed in Red

QTY3_FrontGear

3 copies of front gear with no colour preference

Multicolour Submission

To ensure jobs are processed in the most efficient manner, 3D printing submissions must be batched by colour.

For example. If you would like the following parts FDM printed, 3 submissions would be made 1 for each colour.

If you would like to see how the file naming convention has been used, click the image to enlarge.

Compression Method

When submitting multiple files at once you will need to create a .zip folder

Windows

1. Place all files into a folder

2. Right click folder

3. Send to > compressed (zip) folder

Mac OS

1. Place all files into a folder

2. Right click folder

3. Compress

Note: rar and other compressed folders not accepted.