Design Guide
Follow these guidelines to ensure the best results from our 3D printing service.
File Formats
Accepted: .STL, .3MF
Max file size: 100 MB
Recommended: .3MF preserves color assignments and material information. Use .3MF for multi-color prints.
Not accepted: .gcode files are never accepted for security reasons.
Minimum Wall Thickness
| Technology | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| FDM | 1.2 mm (2 perimeters) | 1.6 mm+ for structural parts |
| SLA (coming soon) | 0.8 mm | 1.0 mm+ for durability |
Tolerances by Quality Tier
| Tier | FDM Tolerance | FDM Layer Height |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | ±0.3 mm | 0.28 mm |
| Standard | ±0.2 mm | 0.20 mm |
| Fine | ±0.15 mm | 0.12 mm |
| Ultra-Fine | ±0.1 mm | 0.08 mm |
SLA tolerance (coming soon) is approximately ±0.1 mm across all tiers.
Overhangs & Supports
FDM can print overhangs up to 45° without supports. Beyond that, supports are automatically generated and removed post-print.
For best results, orient your model to minimize supports on visible surfaces.
(Coming soon) SLA parts will require supports for unsupported islands and undercuts. Support marks are sanded during post-processing.
Multi-Color Printing
Our Bambu Lab printers support up to 4 colors per print via the Automatic Material System (AMS).
Multi-color prints include a 15–40% material overhead for purge waste during color changes.
Use .3MF files to assign colors to specific bodies or regions in your model. Color assignments in .STL files are not supported.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Non-watertight meshes: Holes in your model cause print failures. Use your CAD tool's mesh repair function.
- Too-thin walls: Walls below the minimum thickness may not print or will be extremely fragile.
- No clearance for moving parts: Allow at least 0.3 mm gap for FDM.
- Overly complex geometry: Very high triangle counts (>1M) increase processing time. Decimate if possible.
- Relying on .gcode: We never accept .gcode for security reasons. Always provide .STL or .3MF.