Design for Additive Manufacturing: FDM

Use design for manufacturing concepts to optimize your parts for 3D printing with fused
deposition modeling (FDM) technology.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you need to know
• Using the exercise files

1. FDM Basics

• Design for manufacturing
• What is FDM?
• Thermoplastics

2. CAD and CAM

• CAD vs. CAM
• CAM basics in Cura
• CAM basics in MakerBot Print
• Using third-party GCode Viewer

3. Bases and Supports

• Exploring build plate surfaces
• Exploring build plate adhesion
• Understanding overhangs and support
• Creating supportless designs

4. Features and Options

• The body of a 3D print
• Optimizing line width
• Understanding layer height and resolution
• Creating small details
• Achieving accuracy and fit
• Planning for strength and flexibility
• Exploring color options

5. Optimizing with Cura

• Support material and build plate adhesion
• Shells, infill, top, and bottom layers
• Small details

6. Optimizing with MakerBot

• Support material and rafts
• Line width and wall thickness
• Shells, infill, roofs, and floors

7. Assemblies

• Designing assemblies
• Print in place strategies

8. Design a Hinged Box

• Setting up your project
• Sketching the box
• Navigation basics
• Modeling the box
• Sketching the hinge
• Modeling the hinge
• Separating the knuckles
• Creating components and assembling a joint
• 3D printing with Cura
• 3D printing with MakerBot Print

Conclusion

• Next steps