In ASSEMBLIES proper clearance should be given between mating assembly parts to prevent them from fusing together. The standard guideline for creating clearances on assemblies being produced fully assembled is a minimum Z clearance of the slice thickness. The X-Y clearance is at least the default extrusion width based on a suggested minimum wall thickness. The minimum clearance needed for mating parts, when not producing the components fully assembled, is .13 mm (.005”) in static assemblies.
Parts may be SECTIONED in CAD. Sectioning is usually used:
• When build parts are too big for the build chamber.
• To eliminate excessive amounts of support structure.
• To cut and build separately overhanging features from the top of the part.
• To preserve fragile features that may be damaged in post processing.
• To section fragile features from the part and build them separately, in an orientation that produces a stronger part.
There are a number of bonding methods to reattach features and join sectioned parts. Typically sections are "fused" or "welded" by melting them chemically together with a solvent. The common solvent for this purpose is a mixture of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and Acetone, or Acetone alone.
LIVING HINGES can be used for a small number of cycles, if additional cycles are required consider using a different hinge design.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILL can be used for solid areas of model interior, to reduce build time and use less build and support material. There is three options to choose from:
• Solid - used when a stronger, more durable part is desirable. Build times will be longer and more material will be used.
• Sparse - high density - the default model interior style and it is highly recommended. Build times will be shorter, less material will be used, and the possibility of part curl for geometries with large mass will be greatly reduced.
• Sparse - low density - the interior will be "honeycombed/hatched". This style allows for the shortest build times and lowest material use.
Minimum suggested TEXT size on the top or bottom build plane is 16 point boldface, and on vertical walls 10 point bold.
The parts produced are capable of many of POST-MANUFACTURING and FINISHING PROCESSES, including drilling, tapping and sawing, or sanding, polishing, painting and plating.