Préparation à l'exportation, au découpage et à l'impression – De la conception à l'impression

Introduction

Your TinkerCAD design is complete. Now it's time to prepare it for 3D printing. This guide covers exporting from TinkerCAD, using slicing software, optimising print settings, and troubleshooting common printing issues before they happen.

Exporting from TinkerCAD

Step-by-Step Export Process

1. Open your completed design in TinkerCAD
2. Click the Export button in the top toolbar
3. Choose your format:
4. STL (ASCII): Universal format; larger file size; human-readable
5. STL (Binary): Compressed format; smaller file size; recommended
6. OBJ: For designs with colours or textures
7. Name your file (e.g., "desk_organiser_v1.stl")
8. Click Download

File Format Comparison

Format	File Size	Compatibilité	Best For
STL Binary	Small	All slicers	Most 3D printing projects
STL ASCII	Large	All slicers	Archival; human inspection
OBJ	Medium	Most slicers	Colored/textured designs

Choosing Slicing Software

Slicing software converts your STL file into printer instructions (G-code). Popular options include:

Logiciel	Cost	Best For	Learning Curve
OrcaSlicer	Gratuit	Beginners; most printers	Easy
PrusaSlicer	Gratuit	Prusa printers; advanced features	Moderate
Bambu Studio	Gratuit	Bambu Lab printers	Easy
Simplifier3D	$149	Advanced users; optimization	Steep

Recommendation for Eolas Prints Customers: Use Orca or PrusaSlicer for compatibility with most printers (Prusa, Bambu, Flashforge).

Essential Print Settings

Hauteur de couche

Thickness of each printed layer (in millimetres):

Hauteur de couche	Print Time	Detail Level	Best For
0.1mm	Very Long	Excellent	High-detail prototypes
0.2mm	Standard	Good	Most projects (recommended)
0.3mm	Fast	Acceptable	Functional parts; speed priority
0.4mm	Very Fast	Rough	Prototypes; testing

Infill Density

Percentage of interior material (0–100%):

Infill %	Strength	Material Used	Best For
10%	Low	Minimal	Decorative parts
20%	Medium	Moderate	Most projects (recommended)
50%	High	Significant	Functional parts; tools
100 %	Maximum	Maximum	High-stress parts

Support Type

Material added to support overhangs:

• None: No support (fastest, but requires good design)
• Tree Support: Efficient, minimal material waste (recommended for complex designs)
• Linear Support: Simple, reliable (good for beginners)
• Grid Support: Balanced strength and ease of removal

Material-Specific Settings

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

• Nozzle Temperature: 200–225°C
• Bed Temperature: 20–60°C
• Print Speed: 50–60 mm/s
• Cooling: Full fan cooling recommended
• Best Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Best Infill: 15–20%

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

• Nozzle Temperature: 230–250°C
• Bed Temperature: 70–90°C
• Print Speed: 40–50 mm/s
• Cooling: Minimal fan cooling (avoid warping)
• Best Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Best Infill: 20–30% (for durability)

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

• Nozzle Temperature: 220–240°C
• Bed Temperature: 60–80°C
• Print Speed: 20–30 mm/s (slow for flexibility)
• Cooling: No fan cooling
• Best Layer Height: 0.3mm (thicker for flexibility)
• Best Infill: 10–20% (for flexibility)

Pre-Print Checklist

Before sending your design to the printer, verify:

• Model Integrity: Check for holes, non-manifold geometry, or thin walls
• Support Structures: Verify support placement; ensure they don't interfere with critical features
• Print Time: Estimate total print time; verify it's acceptable
• Material Usage: Check filament weight; ensure you have enough material
• Bed Adhesion: Add a brim or raft if the part has a small footprint
• Orientation: Rotate the part for optimal strength and surface finish
• Clearance: Verify the part fits within your printer's build volume

Optimising Print Orientation

General Rules

• Minimize Support: Orient parts to reduce overhangs
• Maximize Strength: Align critical features with print direction (Z-axis)
• Improve Surface Finish: Place visible surfaces parallel to the build plate
• Reduce Print Time: Minimise part height (Z-axis dimension)

Example: Desk Organizer Orientation

• Option 1 (Upright): Print with opening facing up; minimal support needed; good surface finish
• Option 2 (Sideways): Reduce print time; requires more support; rougher interior finish
• Recommendation: Print upright for best results

Common Print Problems & Solutions

Problem	Cause	Solution
Part doesn't stick to bed	Poor bed adhesion	Add brim or raft; clean bed; adjust bed leveling
Stringing (thin plastic between parts)	Nozzle too hot; retraction disabled	Lower nozzle temperature; enable retraction
Warping (corners curl up)	Cooling too fast; bed too cold	Increase bed temperature; reduce cooling fan
Support difficult to remove	Support too dense	Use tree support; reduce support density
Holes too small; parts don't fit	Design tolerances too tight	Increase hole diameter by 0.5mm; reprint
Thin walls break during printing	Walls thinner than 1.5mm	Redesign with 2mm minimum wall thickness

Post-Print Workflow

1. Cool: Let the part cool to room temperature before removal
2. Remove Support: Carefully remove support material (save for recycling)
3. Clean: Remove any remaining support residue with a tool or file
4. Inspect: Check for defects, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality
5. Post-Process: Sand, paint, or apply finish as needed (see Guide 7)
6. Document: Take photos; record settings for future reference

Quality Control Standards

At Eolas Prints, we recommend these quality standards:

• Dimensional Accuracy: ±0.3mm for most features
• Surface Finish: Smooth to touch; no rough edges
• Structural Integrity: No cracks, breaks, or delamination
• Hole Quality: Clean, properly sized holes with no burrs
• Assembly Fit: Parts fit together without forcing or excessive gaps

Key Takeaways

• Export as STL Binary for universal compatibility
• Use Cura or PrusaSlicer for most printers
• Start with 0.2mm layer height, 20% infill, tree support
• Adjust settings based on material (PLA, PETG, TPU)
• Verify print orientation and support placement before printing
• Follow the pre-print checklist to catch issues early
• Document settings for consistent, repeatable results

Next in the series: Post-Processing & Quality Control – Finishing Your Prints