Design Rules for 3D Printing

Supported Unsupported Support Embossed Horizontal Holes Connecting Escape Minimum Pin Tolerance
walls walls & overhangs & engraved bridges /moving parts holes features diameter
details

Walls that are Unsupported walls The maximum angle Features on The span a The minimum The recommended The minimum The recommended The minimum The expected tole-
connected to the are connected a wall can be printed the model that are technology can diameter a tech- clearance between diameter of escape minimum size of a diameter a pin rance (dimensional
rest of the print on to the rest of the at without requiring raised or recessed print without the nology can success- two moving or holes to allow for feature to ensure it can be printed at. accuracy) of a speci-
at least two sides. print on less than support. below the model need for support. fully print a hole. connecting parts. the removal of build will not fail to print. fic technology.
two sides. surface. material.

Fused
deposition ±0.3%
0.6 mm wide
0.8 mm 0.8 mm 45° 10 mm Ø2 mm 0.5 mm 2 mm 3 mm (lower limit
modeling & 2 mm high
±0.3 mm)

Stereo-
lithography support ±0.2%
0.4 mm wide
0.5 mm 1 mm always Ø0.5 mm 0.5 mm 4 mm 0.2 mm 0.5 mm (lower limit
& high
required ±0.13 mm)

Selective
0.3 mm for
laser sintering 1 mm wide moving parts
±0.3%
& Multi jet 0.7 mm Ø1.5 mm 5 mm 0.8 mm 0.8 mm (lower limit
& high & 0.1 mm for
±0.3 mm)
fusion connections

Material
jetting support
0.5 mm wide
1 mm 1 mm always Ø0.5 mm 0.2 mm 0.5 mm 0.5 mm ±0.1 mm
& high
required

Binder
±0.2 mm
jetting 0.5 mm wide for metal
2 mm 3 mm Ø1.5 mm 5 mm 2 mm 2 mm
& high & ±0.3 mm
for sand

Direct
metal Laser support
0.1 mm wide
0.4 mm 0.5 mm always 2 mm Ø1.5 mm 5 mm 0.6 mm 1 mm ±0.1 mm
sintering & high
required