Part Design (MakerBot)

 Main Article: 3D Printing

For parts to be printed on MakerBot they must be designed to meet the geometric and build constraints of the machine. This includes matching the machine's tolerance capabilities, shrinkage/expansion, accommodating for hole precision, and building arches and overhangs with support or fillets to avoid sagging. {|
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Tolerances

 * style="vertical-align:top;"|MakerBot defaults to a minimum layer height of 0.1 mm. However, finished parts will have a variance of 0.3% in the X axis, 0.2% in the Y axis , and 0.4% in the Z axis. Part design should be machined to tolerance if accuracy is necessary.
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|MakerBot defaults to a minimum layer height of 0.1 mm. However, finished parts will have a variance of 0.3% in the X axis, 0.2% in the Y axis , and 0.4% in the Z axis. Part design should be machined to tolerance if accuracy is necessary.

Minimum Extrude Tolerance
MakerBot is unable to print a part or a part that has features that are 3/32 inches or smaller.

Minimum Wall Tolerance
When designing cuts into parts,cuts need to be placed a minimum of XX away form the wall.
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Overhangs and Arches
For arches gapping more than 1" and overhangs support material must be used. If the part to be printed includes round objects on the base plate then support material must be deigned into the part in the 3D design program. This is because it will fail to print parts using its standard supports and rafts feature.

For arches and overhangs with 90º to prevent sagging a fillet can be added.

Edges
All edges are going to automatically have a rounded edge of 3/32 inch. This is due to the size of the filament when it is being extruded.

Hole Design
Shell thickness of 2 and to make the hole 0.005 inches smaller in SolidWorks. When part is made, the hole can be drilled to size. Refer to Drilling and Tapping for drilling recommendations.

Edges Touching Base Plate
Edges that are touching the base plate cannot peak on the base plate, they must be at least 3/32 wide to avoid print failure.