this post was submitted on 03 Feb 2025
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FreeCAD

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Your own 3D parametric modeler.

www.freecad.org

FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.

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Still pretty new to FreeCAD (and CAD in general), any advice on my design before I 3d print it? (www.printables.com)
submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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The .stl and .fcstd files are at the link. All the test joints I printed fit together really nicely, but I'm worried the overall design might have issues that I'm too much of an amateur to identify. It'll need a LOT of filament... Good wooden marudai cost hundreds of dollars, whereas 1500g of my preferred filament is only like $45, but I'd still hate to waste that much of it. The printing itself I'm not too concerned about, it's easy stuff. Just a little bridging and no support. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the finished/assembled object will be functional. Thanks in advance if you have any tips!

PS: This is also my first use of the spreadsheet function, I usually just rely on named constraints from prior sketches. It's really neat. FreeCAD rules!

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

A couple of general tips for multipart models:

  • If 3D printed parts need to fit together, try to align the critical mating surfaces on the same axis when printing. This will minimize artifacts caused by differences in expansion, contraction, and imprecision.

  • If 3D printed parts need to mate together as perfectly as possible, it can be a good idea to print one or both parts without tolerances and match them together with post-processing (sanding).

  • If mating together 3D printed and non-3D printed parts, often around 0.5mm is recommended for tolerances but, you'll get the best for by doing test prints and evaluating them (different printers and filaments can have a profound effect).