You've received a disappointing custom 3D printed product. How will you address the size and scale issue?

First check the design specifications and model for any errors. If the design is correct, I'd examine the printer settings, such as scaling, tolerances, and slicing configurations. To address the issue, I might consider redesigning the model to include joints or modular parts that can compensate for size discrepancies, making the product more adaptable. However, I would carefully follow 3D printing rules ensuring that joint tolerances are appropriate for the printing material, the printer’s accuracy, and post-processing shrinkage, while also keeping the model within the printer's size limits to avoid further issues.

The error originates usually from bad CAD design, printer calibration and printing resolution. If the part is very sensitive to dimensions then the dimensions in cad file have to be integer multiples of the printing resolution (in case for FDM printers).

Documentation: One of the most important steps in this process is to document the differences. Take lots of photos and measurements of the product so that the design and specs can be compared. This will give you the leverage you need to talk to the vendor. Contact the vendor: The printing service or provider should be contacted immediately. Clearly explain the problem and provide your supporting documentation. Attempt to negotiate a refund, replacement, or change. Resolutions: Partner with the vendor on possible resolutions. Constructive Criticism: After problem resolution, inform the vendor and give positive feedback.

When dealing with size and scale issues in custom 3D printed products, first analyze the original design specifications to identify where the discrepancy occurred. & communicate clearly with the 3D printing provider or team to assess whether the error was due to the file preparation, machine calibration, or a misinterpretation of the design. From there, Its better discuss corrective actions, such as re-scaling or adjusting the CAD files, and ensure a new prototype is produced. This situation also highlights the importance of frequent communication and prototype reviews to avoid such issues in the future.

This is very common issue especially when the mechanical design team is not aware of the 3D printing techniques and hurdles, there could be some unexpected extrusion or intrusion because of the type of printing (FDM,SLS,Resin,etc) and when going for he overall assembly something may not properly fit or look symmetric as expected. That's why when committing to the design and delivery of the product we should consider a buffer timeline to avoid quality issues. Consider rapid prototyping if feasible to fine tune the design and preferred manufacturing technique by the vendors.

Once you’ve identified the size issue, contact your 3D printing service provider with detailed measurements and the nature of the error. A reputable provider will discuss the problem and offer solutions, like a reprint or guidance on adjusting the design file. Clear, precise communication is essential for resolving the issue.

Dependería de si lo mande a hacer a una empresa o no, y enviaría el feedback esperando que vuelvan a hacer la pieza con las posibles correcciones. Obviamente, hablando con buenas palabras y realizado opiniones constructivas.

I disagree, 3d printing is the way to shift your ideas in physical world , you must take the jerny and step in a road full of errors and failures, so you must learn , exprienced and faced the problems to find your answer, for this purpose first you must start to make your custom 3d printers for your exact desire . Not to call your 3d printer company every time your not satisfied with your printed model.

Absolutely! Contacting your 3D printing service provider with detailed information about the size discrepancy is the right approach. A reliable provider should definitely be open to discussing the issue and providing solutions, whether that’s reprinting the product or helping you adjust the design file. Clear and effective communication will help ensure a smooth resolution.

You can ask your supplier to make some test pieces like a cube with a cylindrical hole and the cylinder. Recommendations for outsourcing 3d printing: Once the parts have been validated, you can ask your supplier to always use the same machine if there are few parts or the same machine model at least if there are many parts. You can also receive partial batches to control the quality or you can explain to the supplier how to control the quality if it is something simple.

Scaling a design is easy in any CAD software, even on a laminator. Just as there are no silly questions, there are no silly explanations either: when placing an order, be sure to include at least one dimension with the corresponding units in the message, this will alert the supplier when preparing the model for the job.

If the error originates from the design file, use 3D modeling software to adjust the scale of your design. Ensure the scaling is uniform unless the problem is specific to a particular dimension. Double-check the measurements within the software before resubmitting the design to avoid repeating the error.

Partindo do princípio que o erro n?o é no seu projeto e a comunica??o sobre a discrepancia já foi feita e mesmo assim ter você que redimensionar o projeto acho arriscado submeter ao mesmo fornecedor de servi?os de impress?o. Isso deveria ser considerado como um último recurso, principalmente quando se trata de protótipos, ainda assim se formos seguir esse caminho tudo deverá ser muito bem documentado para evitar futuros erros de fabrica??o e enganos de escala.

Received a custom 3D print that's off in size? Before reprinting, verify the scale settings of your 3D printer or service. Different printers may interpret measurements differently. Ensure your design file's units match the printer’s settings to avoid issues like inches being misread as millimeters. Accurate scale verification can prevent size discrepancies and save you from further errors.

Before reprinting, verify the scale settings of your 3D printer or service provider. Ensure that the design file’s units match the printer’s settings; mismatched units, like inches being read as millimeters, can cause major sizing errors. Confirming these settings helps prevent further scaling problems.

Just as there are no silly questions, there are no silly explanations either: when placing an order, be sure to include at least one dimension with the corresponding units in the message, this will alert the supplier when preparing the model for the job."

Check the printer settings to ensure accuracy. Factors like print speed and material flow rate can affect dimensions. High speeds might lead to inaccuracies, and incorrect extrusion rates can alter layer thickness, impacting the overall size. Adjust these settings to improve print precision.

When dealing with 3D printing it's all a box of surprises, many things can go wrong during printing and cause various problems to occur, one of the ways to get around this is to optimize the machine's settings, in the specific case of the printing accuracy, when we seek to achieve the best possible quality the most covered topics are Flow calibration, E-Steps calibration, printing speed and axis acceleration, after optimizing these parameters you will achieve a piece with good finishes, avoiding possible defects regarding size of the 3d printed piece.

In addition, verify that your printer is well-calibrated, including bed leveling and nozzle alignment. Use high-quality materials to ensure consistent results. Maintain a stable printing environment, avoiding drafts and temperature variations, and keep your printer in good condition with regular maintenance. Finally, ensure that your printer’s firmware and slicing software are up-to-date for optimal performance.

If you have outsourced the printing job, it is probably because you do not want to or cannot do it. In this case, if your supplier cannot meet your needs, do not hesitate to look for another one.

Use this experience as a learning opportunity. Document what went wrong, how you addressed it, and any adjustments made. Keeping records of such instances helps refine your approach and prevent similar issues in the future, making you more adept at managing sizing and scaling challenges in 3D printing.

Sometimes it happens that the parts have the wrong tolerances, and being an outsourced file, adaptations have to be made, to change the design of a mesh, for example in my case I usually import the file into Fusion360 and transform the mesh into a body, After making the changes, I export the file as stl from Fusion360, it is one of the simplest ways I found to change a mesh.