I want to print with SLS from Alumide. Within my model I have a solid box with dimensions of about 28x40x22mm. In Alumide design guide you say your production team will hollow out models with walls thicker than 20mm. In “Guidelines for Grouped Models” you then write “hollow your model out - the part’s wall should be less than 5 mm thick”. I want maximum stiffness for my model and in the same time I dont want your production team to “optimize” my model anyhow (hollowing etc.). Can I use a 20mm thick wall without a problem?
Hollowing out - max wall thickness
Hello, hollowing out your model avoids indeed deformation and discoloration during the printing process. To give you a good advice, not only the size, but also the shape of the model is important. If you’re talking about a solid box of 28x40x22 mm, a wall thickness of 2 mm should be sufficient to guarantee you a good result. You can also make a remark in your order that your model may not be changed to “optimize” your model without you being asked first. Kind regards Lizy
I dont really mind slight deformation of my model but really need extreme stiffness therefore I want as thick walls as possible. how much a box of my size deforms if printed fully solid?
If I understand correctly - walls thicker than 20mm are ALWAYS hollowed out by your team (powder is trapped inside). Walls 5mm and thinner are NEVER hollowed out by your team. Walls between 5-20 mm CAN be hollowed out by your team. Is this correct?
And you say that I can request my order not to be optimized at all? So I can ask for my box to stay fully solid?
Our production team will, normally, hollow out models with wall that are more than 20 mm thick to prevent deformation and discoloration. The powder will stay trapped inside. It’s impossible to tell you how much the deformation will be if your model is printed solid. It’s not only for your model, but models that are not hollowed can contain a lot of heat while printing and affect the surrounding models as well. You can indeed ask that your model stays fully solid, but it will be our production specialists who are filling up the printers who decide if this is possible and will not bring a danger to the surrounding models. i.materialise is an online printing service with certain limitations for consumers, students or jewelry designers. If you are a professional with special needs we have other platforms which can help you.