Each additive manufacturing technology has a number of best design practices to take advantage of that technology’s capabilities. Here are top design practices for Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). (This information is based on a Design World webinar, Designing for the Direct Metal Lasers Sintering Process, presented by Jonathan Bissmeyer, Senior Quality Engineer for 3D printing services at Proto Labs.
1. A design should meet two goals:
–Reduce the number of components. Take an assembly and convert it to a single part or fewer parts if appropriate to the design. Typically, reducing the number of components will help you meet the next goal
–Reduce weight.
Plus it can quicken assembly times, which in turn will reduce cost. You can also reduce weight by hollowing parts and creating internal mesh structures.
Another way lower weight reduces cost is through part function. For example, in the aerospace industry lower weight help reduce fuel costs.
