What NOT to Do When Using Sculpteo’s 3D Printing Services!

IMTS

Share this Article

sculpteo-logoAs more people begin to use 3D printing services, like those offered by Sculpteo, it is easy to detect frequently occurring mistakes from the long list of how-to’s involved with any successful 3D print job. Thankfully, Sculpteo has compiled a nice compact list of 5 things not to do with their 3D printers. Think about it: if everyone who uses Sculpteo’s services (and similar companies) take the time to sit and read these 5 things to avoid, both time and money could be saved on the users’ or the company’s end. Let’s take a look at what these 5 things are (and, of course, try to avoid doing them in the future)!

Too small. [Image: Buzzfeed]

Too small. [Image: Buzzfeed]

The first thing that we hear so much about when it comes to 3D designing is that size really matters. In this case, I am talking about trying to 3D print something that is way too small. We have even summarized Sculpteo’s efforts to educate about the importance of wall thickness elsewhere, but apparently some people still try to print things that are just too small. These parts can throw off the entire production process, as other parts can be contaminated by the failure of a small part to print correctly. Sculpteo makes it clear that its customer support is willing to work with you on small parts, but we can also do them a big favor by simply clarifying for ourselves (using the handy Solidity Check, for example) the potential success of all of our design work.

The second thing that Sculpteo wants us to remember is that it is not keen on 3D printing counterfeit products. You know, these are files that you didn’t design and that technically, by all measures, do not belong to you. One way to avoid confusion about the status of your own uploaded files is to select the ““private” or “public” parameter when uploading your 3D file. If you select “private” you can ensure that this is exactly what you are going to get. Also, if you have any questions about the intellectual property status of a scanned or downloaded object from a marketplace, check out this handy blog post that reviews copyright, designs, and models, etc.

Next we have a very simple reminder from the Sculpteo team: don’t bother trying to 3D print firearms, because it simply isn’t going to happen!

scul2

There is also a problem with 3D printing electronics. Why? Because Sculpteo simply isn’t equipped to handle a job like this yet. Companies like Voxel8 and Nano Dimension are leading the 3D printing pack in this direction, and their innovations might make 3D printed electronics a more common service in the future, but we just aren’t there yet. So hold off on involving Sculpteo with these projects, because, like its firearms policy, it just isn’t going to happen.

scul4Last but never least, we have the issue of not trying to change your design once it is being printed. You really don’t have much of a window of opportunity to make changes, because, as Sculpteo reminds us:

“As soon as the production has been launched (meaning the part is nested in our printing volume and sliced for the 3D printer), the object will be produced and changing it would mean delaying every other task.”

For your convenience, Sculpteo allows you to check out your order page and see if it is in queue (when you can still make changes or cancel it) or when it is production (too late, I’m afraid). The order page is constantly being updated, so keep your eye on it as a way to ensure you can change something or cancel a print job before it’s too late.

Those are Sculpteo’s 5 things we should avoid when using its 3D printers. We can all get on board with these sensible pointers, can’t we? Do you disagree with any of their information? Discuss in the Sculpteo 3D Printing No-No’s forum over at 3DPB.com.

Share this Article


Recent News

Liquid Metal 3D Printing Sector Emerges with Fluent Metal’s $5.5M Investment

3DPOD Episode 191: Amy Alexander, 3D Printing at the Mayo Clinic



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

3DPOD Episode 190: Generative Design for 3D Printing with Novineer CEO Ali Tamijani

Ali Tamijani, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has an extensive background in composites, tool pathing, and the development of functional 3D printed parts,...

Featured

3DPOD Episode 189: AMUG President Shannon VanDeren

Shannon VanDeren is a consultant in the 3D printing industry, focusing on implementation and integration for her company, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting. For nearly ten years, she has been involved...

3DPOD Episode 188: Clare Difazio of E3D – Growing the Industry, and Growing With the Industry

Clare DiFazio’s journey into the 3D printing industry was serendipitous, yet her involvement at critical moments has significantly influenced the sector. Her position as Head of Marketing & Product Strategy...

Featured

Printing Money Episode 15: 3D Printing Markets & Deals, with AM Research and AMPOWER

Printing Money returns with Episode 15! This month, NewCap Partners‘ Danny Piper is joined by Scott Dunham, Executive Vice President of Research at Additive Manufacturing (AM) Research, and Matthias Schmidt-Lehr,...