Avoid making these common mistakes while
3D printing

3D printing seems like a seamless process. However, 3D printing is a difficult task that requires technical skills. From design to post-production, every step needs to be monitored. 3D printing can help you save up on time while giving you the best result. But - a mistake will make time seem endless! Moreover, you might end up damaging the printer. Well, we’re sure you don’t want to do that after spending a ton on the printer. To avoid unnecessary errors, it is crucial to know the common mistakes that may be encountered in 3D printing.

1. Incorrect material

The most common mistake in 3D printing is choosing the incorrect material. Those that do not have thorough knowledge in this field, fail to recognize the 3D printing material that could best serve the purpose. Every material holds a unique and distinct property. Some are stiffer than others. Some are used for high precision application and others only fit to serve jobs with fewer accuracy settings.
Materials hold an important role in the world of 3D Printing. Your model takes most of what the material has to offer when it concerns the physical and mechanical properties. The output of your efforts depends a lot on the materials you choose.
A wide range of materials like Nylon, ABS, resin, ceramic, metal and many others are present in 3D Printing. Each of these materials have distinct characteristics like stiffness, brittleness, solidity, flexibility, etc. Thus, having an in-depth knowledge of these materials and its combination with your printer to get the desired outcome is important. Lack of proper material guidelines can cause major problems in the 3D Printing process.

2. Choosing the wrong technology

For instance, materials such as ABS, Alumide and Polyamide are impossible to print together. In this case, various printing technologies are required to make it happen.Just like the material, technology too comes with various specifications. According to the materials you use and the product you desire to create- choose the right technology.
For plastic and alumide materials, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology are used. For resin or wax materials, techniques such as Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP) and multijet printers are used.
Do a thorough research on the technological aspect of 3D printing, before going ahead with the production process.
You can enrol for a Professional 3D Printing course at Learnathon which will teach you everything you need to know- from design to post production

3. Considering an incorrect file resolution

The most common file format for 3D printing is STL (Standard Triangle Language). Basically, STL means that the design is rendered into triangles in a 3D space. 
When the file resolutions are too low, it means that the triangles are too big. This will result in an uneven print. Moreover, it will lead to a “pixelated” print.
On the other hand, if the STL file has a very high resolution, it will be difficult to handle and upload the file. Likewise, it may also contain a great level of details that other 3D printers cannot print.
Picking the appropriate resolution will result in a good quality print.

4. Incorrect Wall Thickness

The thickness or the distance between the surface of the model and its opposite surface. Incorrect wall thickness can end up with mistakes and issues in 3D printing such as being unable to print and items could crack and break off easily.

Factors such as size, alignment and overall design of the 3D model can influence the suggested wall thickness. While considering the wall thickness, it is essential to calculate the minimum wall thickness that would be able to hold the model correctly.

There are a variety of factors that determine the wall thickness. Before coming to a conclusion, you must evaluate every factor thoroughly. For finding the correct wall thickness, start analysing from alignment, size to the overall design.

Due to incorrect wall thickness, you may fail to print the model altogether. Or even if the printing happens, it may end up being too fragile or prone to cracks. Wall thickness can be a decisive deal. With an increased wall thickness the strength of the structure will increase. 

Find guides and read about how to choose the wall thickness, experiment and learn and then define the same in your 3D files.

You can also check out this link to know more about 3D Printing and how you can set up a business related to 3D Printing:
Professional 3D Printing Course | Learnathon | Comprehensive Training (learnathonworld.com)

3D Printing could seem like a challenging deal but when you know about these things, you can avoid these mistakes and work your way through it.

5. Error in setting up the Machine

Problems such as out of filament, nozzles not working, etc. may cause the issues. Therefore, it is important to set up the 3D printer before use.
While some 3D printers are pre-calibrated, other printers need to adjust its setting to function well.
Make sure to read the instruction manual to set up the equipment correctly beforehand.
3D Printing is not an easy process, but with proper knowledge and training- you can ace it! It requires special skills and practice to master this process. If you encounter any of the mistakes mentioned, you must understand that something’s gone wrong with the printing procedure or with the equipment.
The quality of the 3D prototypes can be enhanced and mistakes can be avoided with the help of a few tips and recommendations from 3d printing experts and some trial and error by yourself.
Become a skilled 3D Printing technician, designer or engineer who safely carries out this process, by enrolling in a professional 3D printing course!