This improved Second Edition features twice the illustrations, a more readable format, and tons of additional information. 3D Printing is changing the way we think about design, distribution, and manufacturing. By bringing the factory to the desktop, this technology opens the door to a multitude of new opportunities, and challenges paradigms from the drawing board to the boardroom. Designing usable products for 3D printing poses some unique challenges, and blends the roles of designer and engineer. In Functional Design for 3D Printing Second Edition, the author explains and instructs how to leverage the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of the 3D printing process. From material selection to design details that will tolerate the design-to-printing process, this book gives the reader the tools to transform their designs into durable, useful products that print reliably on a variety of machines.  Functional Design for 3D Printing will help you to:
- Minimize printing time, material use, and weightÂ
- Minimize the chance of print failure, on a variety of machines and softwareÂ
- Make interlocking / snap fit joints - Maximize strength for maximum utilityÂ
- Make objects that flex without breakingÂ
- Incorporate multiple materials into your design for multi-extruder machinesÂ
- Reduce stress concentrations for maximum durabilityÂ
- Solve bed adhesion issues in your designÂ
- Use the correct structural design paradigm, including mixed paradigms for maximum utilityÂ
- Decide how and when to use support; when it is worth it to design support features into your model - Design objects to print in multiple materials or colorsÂ
- Turn your design ideas into practical designs that print efficiently and assemble into a durable, functional object.
Also included are many more practical details on the design process, including appendices on printing very thin, flexible structures, printer calibrations, structural strength, and more.
If you are an experienced designer, Functional Design for 3D Printing will show you design practices that will help you to quickly create functional, printable objects well beyond what is possible with simple model-to-printing work-flows.
If you are a novice designer, Functional Design for 3D Printing will be a useful supplement and reference, giving you the technical framework of functional design, helping you to progress from neophyte to high proficiency with a minimum of trial and error.Â
Functional Design for 3D Printing covers the intersection of design, printing, and utility, enabling the reader to accelerate their path to creating high utility objects within 3D design and printing workflows.Â
This volume will help you to incorporate design practices that open up the possibilities for durable, functional, printable objects that print quickly and reliably- delivering the full potential of the "desktop factory". 180 pages, 78 illustrations
