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3d Printing Design Tips

Mastering the Build: 3D Printing Design Tips

Designing for additive manufacturing is a completely different beast than designing for traditional machining or injection molding. The 3D Printing Design Tips category on the SNL Creative Blog is your technical playbook for turning “unprintable” digital files into flawless physical reality.

We bridge the gap between creative intent and machine limitations, offering deep dives into Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). Whether you’re struggling with warping, looking to minimize support material, or trying to optimize wall thickness for strength, this is where you’ll find the answers.

What You’ll Master:

  • Geometry Optimization: Learn how to design self-supporting angles and avoid the dreaded “spaghetti” prints.

  • Tolerances & Clearances: Expert advice on designing moving parts and “print-in-place” hinges that actually work.

  • Slicing Secrets: How design choices impact your infill patterns, layer heights, and final structural integrity.

  • Finishing Touches: Designing with post-processing in mind—from easy-to-remove supports to sanding-friendly surfaces.

SNL Creative 3d printing for stop motion animation

By 3d Printing Design Tips

Stop-motion animation is a painstaking process that brings characters to life, one frame at a time. SNL Creative, a renowned 3d printing studio, has adopted Stratasys J750 color 3D printing technology to revolutionize the creation of their stop-motion characters, significantly enhancing their storytelling capabilities.

The Stratasys J750 is a full-color, multi-material 3D printer with high precision and color accuracy. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, SNL Creative has transformed the way they create intricate stop-motion characters and sets, allowing them to push the boundaries of imagination.

Traditionally, stop-motion animation relies on handmade puppets and sets, which can be time-consuming to produce and difficult to modify. With the Stratasys J750, SNL Creative can now design and print character models and sets with incredible detail and vibrant colors, reducing the time spent on manual labor. The 3D printer also enables them to create multiple variations of a character’s facial expressions or interchangeable body parts, which is essential for stop-motion animation.

The versatility of the Stratasys J750 extends beyond just the wide color range. The printer can handle a variety of materials, allowing SNL Creative to print flexible, rigid, and translucent parts in a single print job. This capability has opened up new possibilities for creating stop-motion characters with a more lifelike appearance and dynamic movements, contributing to the overall quality of the final animation.

Moreover, using 3D printing for stop-motion animation has facilitated rapid iteration and experimentation. If a character design isn’t working as intended, SNL Creative can quickly modify the design and print a new version without having to start from scratch. This efficiency enables the animation team to focus on perfecting the storytelling aspects of their films, rather than being bogged down by the limitations of traditional fabrication techniques.

By embracing the Stratasys J750 color 3D printer, SNL Creative has made tremendous strides in the world of stop motion animation. The technology has not only streamlined their production process but also unlocked new creative possibilities for animators. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, there’s no doubt that we’ll see even more impressive stop motion animation films in the future, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Wilson Sporting Goods 3d Printed Airless Basketball

By 3d Printing Design Tips

Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a leading sports equipment manufacturer in the US, has revealed an experimental prototype of an airless basketball, believed to be the first of its kind in the industry to be 3D printed. Wilson collaborated with General Lattice, a Chicago-based 3D design company, EOS, a 3D printer manufacturer, and DyeMansion, a post-processing company, to create the ball. The prototype aims to show that a basketball can be produced without requiring inflation and demonstrate the potential of additive manufacturing techniques in the sporting goods sector. KJ Martin of the Houston Rockets showed the prototype’s playability during the first round of the AT&T Slam Dunk contest at a recent NBA All-Star game.

Wilson-Airless-Prototype-emerging-from-SLS-3D-printer

The GL Labs team at General Lattice worked closely with Wilson to develop the prototype using its computational design tools and workflows, streamlining the design and iteration process. The ball was printed using an EOS P 396 SLS 3D printer. DyeMansion added finishing touches, such as DeepDye Coloring and VaporFuse Surfacing, to create the ball’s outer skin and a smooth finished surface. The ball’s structure consists of a see-through black lattice with eight panel-like lobes.

 

The Wilson airless basketball is part of a trend of additive manufacturing in the sports industry. In 2021, Adidas partnered with Carbon to produce the 3D printed 4D midsole, the 4DFWD, using digital light synthesis (DLS) 3D printing technology. Later that year, Adidas and the Marcolin Group collaborated to produce the 3D CMPT, 3D printed sports glasses weighing only 20g, with a retail price of $415 during their limited release run from August 2021.

SNL Creative is proudly offering EOS SLS 3d printing for applications and materials requiring such rigorous used cases.

SNL Creative Acquires EOS P396 SLS 3D Printing System

By 3d Printing Design Tips
[Huntington Beach, CA] – SNL Creative Inc. is proud to announce the acquisition of a state-of-the-art EOS P396 Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing System. This advanced technology allows for creating of highly intricate and complex parts through laser sintering and melting various powdered production-grade materials.

sls 3d printing

The EOS P396 SLS Printing System is a significant addition to SNL Creative’s current technology offerings. It will significantly enhance the company’s ability to produce volume production components, highly intricate parts, and prototypes. The system’s advanced features, fully dense build in X, Y, and Z, high-speed printing, and monitoring capabilities provide our customers with the ability to produce parts faster and more cost-effectively while maintaining the highest accuracy and quality.

 

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this advanced technology to our customers, as it will allow us to scale AM production while delivering qualified results to our clients,” said CEO Lindsey Zindroski. “The acquisition of the EOS P396 SLS Printing System is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with the most innovative and cutting-edge technology available in the industry.”

 

Some benefits of using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing technology include the following:

 

Complex geometries: Having no support structures. The SLS technology allows for the production of complex and intricate parts that may not be achievable using other 3d printing technologies and traditional manufacturing methods.

Scalable Production: taking advantage of the full build envelope gives the ability to scale volumes of part per build operations

Material options: SLS technology supports various materials, including nylon, glass-filled nylon, polystyrene, TPE, and TPU.

Certified Bio-Compatible Parts: SLS-printed parts are known for their strength and durability, making them ideal for end-use hardware and certified for medical applications.

Batch production: SLS technology enables the production of multiple parts in a single build, making it a cost-effective solution for small- to medium-scale production runs.

Post-processing: SLS parts can be further processed and finished, such as sandblasting, painting, or dyeing.

Reduced waste: Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, SLS technology produces minimal waste, reducing material costs and improving the overall sustainability of the manufacturing process.

About SNL Creative

SNL Creative is a leading provider of Additive Manufacturing Services. The company has a proven track record of delivering innovative and practical solutions to its customers. It is committed to staying at the forefront of technology and advancements in its field.

SNL Creative offers Stratasys J735 the latest in color 3d printing technology

By 3d Printing Design Tips

Design and manufacturing are transforming, and 3D printing technology is at the forefront of this change. SNL Creative is part of the Stratasys preferred partner network. Stratasys, a leader in 3D printing, has published a whitepaper detailing the impact of this technology on the industry.

color 3d printing

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, allows designers and engineers to create complex shapes and structures in a matter of hours rather than the weeks or months required by traditional manufacturing methods. This speed and flexibility have opened new possibilities for product design and development, allowing companies to bring innovative new products to market faster and at a lower cost.

One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to quickly and easily create prototypes. This saves time and allows designers to test and refine their ideas rapidly. With the ability to print in a wide range of materials, including plastics, metals, and even human tissue, designers can create accurate and functional prototypes that closely mimic the final product.

In addition, 3D printing is also revolutionizing the way that products are manufactured. Companies can quickly ramp up production and respond to changing market demands by eliminating the need for tooling and other traditional manufacturing methods. This also enables companies to produce low-volume, highly customized products, which is not feasible with conventional manufacturing methods.

3D printing is also having a profound impact on the supply chain. By allowing companies to produce products locally rather than relying on overseas manufacturing, 3D printing can reduce lead times and improve quality control. This can create new business opportunities and revitalize local manufacturing communities.

In conclusion, the revolution in design brought about by 3D printing is transforming the industry and providing new opportunities for companies to innovate and succeed. With its speed, flexibility, and versatility, 3D printing has the potential to change the way we design and manufacture products forever.

https://snlcreative.com/services/3d-printing/polyjet/

https://www.stratasys.com/en/resources/whitepapers/revolution-in-design/

 

3 Reasons Why You Should Choose a 3D Printing Partner Like SNL Creative Over Buying Your Own Printer: Quality, Capability and Cost-Effectiveness

By 3d Printing Design Tips

3D printing is a powerful and versatile technology that can revolutionize how we create and manufacture products. While there are many reasons to invest in a 3D printer for home use, there are also many benefits to working with a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative. This blog post will explore why you should consider using a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative instead of buying your 3D printer.
First and foremost, a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative has access to the latest and most advanced 3D printing technology. This means that you can be sure that your designs are being printed to the highest standards of quality and accuracy. A basic 3D printer for home use will usually have a 0.2mm precision, which is not sufficient for some projects, but with SNL Creative, you will have access to more accuracy and higher quality.

Another benefit of working with a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative is that they can handle large and complex projects. A 3D printer for home use may not be able to handle the demands of a large project, but a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative has the resources and expertise to handle even the most complex projects. This means you can trust them to deliver high-quality products that meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Furthermore, a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative offers a wide range of services, including design and prototyping services, which can help you take your ideas and designs to the next level. This can be especially useful for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to bring new products to market or improve existing ones. In addition, they also offer 3D printing courses and design services, which can help customers learn more about the technology and create even more complex designs.

Another benefit of working with a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative is that they offer cost-effective solutions. A 3D printer for home use can be expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of materials and maintenance. However, a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative can provide affordable and cost-effective solutions that can help you save money in the long run.

Finally, a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative can help you save time and effort. Instead of spending hours figuring out how to use a 3D printer and troubleshoot problems, you can send your designs to a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative and let them handle the rest. This means you can focus on other important tasks and leave the 3D printing to the experts.

In conclusion, while there are many reasons to invest in a 3D printer for home use, there are also many benefits to working with a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative. With access to the latest technology, the ability to handle large and complex projects, a wide range of services, cost-effective solutions, and the ability to save time and effort, a 3D printing partner like SNL Creative can help you bring your ideas and designs to life in a matter of days.