Yellow Part

Design for 3D Printing Toolkit

Get in-depth design advice to optimise 3D-printed parts. Designing with additive manufacturing in mind can accelerate production time and reduce overall cost.

Optimising Part Design
for 3D Printing

There are many design elements involved in creating plastic or metal parts for 3D printing—design for printability is a key one. At Protolabs, we provide automated design analysis on CAD models that highlights features in your part design that can be adjusted for manufacturability. To keep design advisories at a minimum and optimise part design, we created this helpful kit of 3D printing resources.

Designing for 3D Printing Processes

Stereolithography

SL plastic part Learn More

Selective Laser Sintering

SLS plastic part Learn More

Multi Jet Fusion

MJF plastic part Learn More

PolyJet

polyjet plastic part Learn More

Metal 3D Printing

dmls metal part Learn More

Navigating Critical 3D Printing Advisories

DMLS Sizes

 

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  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z
Aluminium AlSi10Mg N/A N/A 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm DMLS
Cobalt Chrome 1.00mm 1.00mm N/A N/A N/A N/A DMLS
Inconel 718 N/A N/A 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm DMLS
Stainless Steel 316L 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm N/A N/A DMLS
Maraging Steel N/A N/A 1.000mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm DMLS
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm 1.00mm DMLS

 

  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z
Aluminium AlSi10Mg N/A N/A 0.5mm 1.00mm 0.50mm 1.00mm DMLS
Cobalt Chrome 0.50mm 1.00mm N/A N/A N/A N/A DMLS
Inconel 718 N/A N/A 0.50mm 1.00mm 0.50mm 1.00mm DMLS
Stainless Steel 316L 0.50mm 1.00mm 0.50mm 1.00mm N/A N/A DMLS
Maraging Steel N/A N/A 0.50mm 1.00mm 0.50mm 1.00mm DMLS
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V 0.50mm 1.00mm 0.50mm 1.00mm 0.50mm 1.00mm DMLS

 

  Micro/ Fine Resolution (mm) High Resolution (mm) Normal Resolution (mm) Process
Aluminium - 250 x 250 x 300 300 x 300 x 380 DMLS
Stainless Steel 316 L 71 x 71 x 80 (Ø100 x 80) 250 x 250 x 300 - DMLS
Inconel 718 - 250 x 250 x 300 250 x 250 x 300 DMLS
Maraging Steel - 250 x 250 x 300 250 x 250 x 300 DMLS
Titanium 71 x 71 x 80 (Ø100 x 80) 250 x 250 x 300 250 x 250 x 300 DMLS
Cobalt Chrome 100 x 100 x 100 - - DMLS

 

SLA Sizes

 

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  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z
ABS-Like Black N/A N/A 0.13mm 0.41mm 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA
ABS-Like Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear N/A N/A 0.13mm 0.41mm 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA
ABS-Like White N/A N/A 0.13mm 0.41mm 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA
Ceramic-Like (Advanced High Temp) N/A N/A 0.13mm 0.41mm 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA
PC-Like Advanc High Temp N/A N/A 0.13mm 0.41mm 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA
MicroFine™ Green 0.07mm 0.20mm N/A N/A N/A N/A SLA
True Silicone N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.25mm 0.41mm SLA

 

  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z
ABS-Like Black N/A N/A 0.40mm 0.65mm 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA
ABS-Like Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear N/A N/A 0.40mm 0.65mm 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA
ABS-Like White N/A N/A 0.40mm 0.65mm 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA
Ceramic-Like (Advanced High Temp) N/A N/A 0.40mm 0.65mm 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA
PC-Like Advanc High Temp N/A N/A 0.40mm 0.65mm 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA
MicroFine™ Green 0.40mm 0.40mm N/A N/A N/A N/A SLA
MicroFine™ Grey 0.40mm 0.40mm N/A N/A N/A N/A SLA
True Silicone N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.65mm SLA

 

  Micro/ Fine Resolution (mm) High Resolution (mm) Normal Resolution (mm) Process
ABS-Like Black (Accura Black 7820) - 247 x 247 x 250 247 x 247 x 250 SLA
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed) - 247 x 247 x 250 736 x 635 x 533 SLA
MicroFine™ Green 127 x 127 x 63 - - SLA
MicroFine™ Grey 127 x 127 x 63 - - SLA
PC-Like Advanc High Temp (Accura 5530) - 247 x 247 x 250 247 x 247 x 250 SLA
Ceramic-Like (Advanc HighTemp PerFORM) - 247 x 247 x 250 585 x 585 x 380 SLA
ABS-Like Grey (Accura Xtreme Grey) - - 585 x 585 x 380 SLA
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) - 247 x 247 x 250 736 x 635 x 533 SLA
True Silicone - - 70 x 130 x 100 SLA

 

SLS & MJF Sizes

 

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  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z
PA 12 Smooth White N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
PA 12 Vapour Smooth White N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm SLS
PAx Smooth Natural N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.0mm 1.0mm SLS
PAx Vapour Smooth Natural N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm SLS
PA 12 Glass Filled Smooth White N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.00mm 1.00mm SLS
PA 12 - Carbon Filled Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
PA 12 Flex Pure Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
TPU-88A Pure Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.00mm 1.00mm SLS
PA 12 Smooth Light Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
PA 12 Vapour Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm MJF
PA 12-Glass Beads Smooth Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
PA 11 Smooth Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
PA 11 Vapour Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm MJF
Ultasint TM TPU-01 - 88A Pure Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
Ultasint TM TPU-01 - 88A Vapour Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm MJF

 

  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z
PA 12 Smooth White N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
PA 12 Vapour Smooth White N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
PAx Smooth Natural N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.0mm 1.0mm SLS
PAx Vapour Smooth Natural N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm SLS
PA 12 - Glass Filled Smooth White N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.00mm 1.00mm SLS
PA 12 - Carbon Filled Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
PA 12 Flex Pure Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm SLS
TPU-88A Pure Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.00mm 1.00mm SLS
PA 12 Smooth Light Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
PA 12 Vapour Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.50mm 1.50mm MJF
PA 12 Glass Beads Smooth Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
PA 11 Smooth Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
PA 11 Vapour Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
Ultasint TM TPU-01 88A Pure Grey N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF
Ultrasint TM TPU-01 88A Vapour Smooth Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.50mm 0.50mm MJF

 

  Micro/ Fine Resolution (mm) High Resolution (mm) Normal Resolution (mm) Process
PA 12 Smooth White - - 676 x 367 x 564 SLS
PA 12 Vapour Smooth White - - 500 x 300 x 300 SLS
PAx Smooth Natural     292 x 320 x 406  SLS
PAx Vapour Smooth Natural     292 x 320 x 406  SLS
PA 12 - Glass Filled Smooth White - - 292 x 320 x 406 SLS
PA 12 - Carbon Filled Smooth Black - - 490 x 490 x 490 SLS
PA 12 Flex Pure Black - - 490 x 490 x 490 SLS
TPU-88A Pure Black - - 330 x 280 x 440 SLS
PA 12 Smooth Grey - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF
PA 12 Vapour Smooth Black - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF
PA 12 Glass Beads Smooth Grey - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF
PA 11 Smooth Grey - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF
PA 11 Vapour Smooth Black - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF
UltrasintTM TPU-01 88A Pure Grey - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF
UltrasintTM TPU-01 88A Vapour Smooth Black - - 284 x 380 x 380 MJF

 

PolyJet & 3D Printed Silicone Sizes

 

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  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z Minimum Wall Thickness X/Y Minimum Wall Thickness Z
3D Printed Silicone N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet & 3D Printed Silicone
Digital Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet
Digital Clear/Translucent N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet
Digital Overmould N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet
Digital White N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet

 

  Micro/Fine Resolution High Resolution Normal Resolution Process
Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z Minimum Small Gap X/Y Minimum Small Gap Z
3D Printed Silicone (60-65%) N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet & 3D Printed Silicone
Digital Black N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet
Digital Clear/Translucent N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet
Digital Overmould N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet
Digital White N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.80mm 0.80mm PolyJet

 

  Micro/ Fine Resolution (mm) High Resolution (mm) Normal Resolution (mm) Process
Digital Clear/ Translucent - - 490 x 390 x 200 PJET
Digital Black - - Stratasys OBJET 500 Connex 3 - 490 x 390 x 200

Keyence AGILISTA 3200W - 297 x 210 x 200		 PJET
Digital White - - Stratasys OBJET 500 Connex 3 - 490 x 390 x 200

Keyence AGILISTA 3200W - 297 x 210 x 200		 PJET
Digital Overmould - - Stratasys OBJET 500 Connex 3 - 490 x 390 x 200

Keyence AGILISTA 3200W - 297 x 210 x 200		 PJET
3D Printed Silicone (60-65%) - - 297 x 210 x 200 3DS

 

quoting analysis

3D-printed Parts on Your Schedule 

Our lead time options lend you flexibility. Need printed parts lightning fast? Select Expedite at checkout. Not in a rush? Choose Economy to save on cost. For reliable delivery on-time, select Standard. Your parts when you need them. 

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