Design Guide: PolyJet 3D Printing

At the center of any great 3D printed model is thoughtful planning and a solid design. While the 3D printing industry offers several methods for printing 3D models, PolyJet technology presents a range of possibilities unlike any other.

In a nutshell, the PolyJet process begins with your design in the form of 3D CAD data. You then need to convert your CAD file into an STL file which slices it into multiple 2D cross-sections. From there you can upload it into Stratasys Direct’s quoting engine.

The print head jets and cures photopolymer material simultaneously, cross-section by cross-section with ultraviolet (UV) light. The machine adds support structures using specially formulated material to support free-floating features.

After each cross-section, the build platform lowers and the process repeats until the full part is formed. Once we remove the completed parts from the build platform, we use water and manually break away supports, apply any finishing procedures, pack and ship the part to you.

Beyond the basics of how PolyJet technology works, this guide will help you decide when to use it, show you how to select materials for the process, prepare your design files for printing and explain the nuances of designing for the process to ensure a flawless design that is ready for print.

In this Design Guide we cover:

• Key considerations for material selection
• How to prepare your STL file for printing with PolyJet
• How to design for multi-colored parts
• And more