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Additive manufacturing · Lesson 5: Finishing and software tools

Cleaning, assembling and post-curing parts, and an overview of software for 3D printing.

Lesson goal

Get a finished part and know the software tools that go further than a simple export.

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2 videos

✎

1 exercise

Intermediate

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Prerequisite: Lesson 4

1. Watch the videos

Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.

Part FinishingVideo 1▶Part FinishingClean and finish, assemble several printed parts and post-cure.↗ Software OptionsVideo 2▶Software OptionsSOLIDWORKS tools for 3D printing, assisted design and products such as 3DXpert.↗

2. Key takeaways

1

Finishing (support removal, sanding, cleaning) often takes as long as printing: include it in the lead time.

2

Resin parts often need post-curing to reach their properties.

3

A large part can be printed in several pieces and assembled afterwards: plan for it at the design stage.

4

Tools such as 3DXpert go further than a simple export to prepare complex prints.

Tip

If a part exceeds the machine's build volume, split it in SOLIDWORKS with a simple interlocking joint (tab and slot): it assembles without a jig.

3. Do the exercise

Finish the part from lesson 4:

  • remove the supports and sand the visible faces
  • measure two dimensions and compare them with the model
  • list the software tools presented that would be useful to you
✓To check: The measured dimensions are close to the model and you can explain the difference (shrinkage, orientation, finishing).

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