Tutorial: Perform a Print3D Simulation

Learn how to prepare, simulate, and export an aerodynamic bracket design for 3D printing.

Designate the Part in the Model Geometry

Import a model file, designate the part to print, and assign a material for the part.
  1. Press F7 to open the Demo Browser.
  2. Double-click the aero_bracket.stmod file in the Print3D folder to load it in the modeling window.
  3. Select MMKS as the unit system.
  4. Position the model to look something like this:


  5. Select the Print Part icon on the Print3D tab.

  6. Select the part geometry to designate it as the part to print.


  7. Verify that the part material is set to Aluminum AlSi 10Mg.
  8. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Configure the Printer Bed

Create the printer bed and orient the part in the bed.

  1. Select the Printer icon.

  2. Keep the default parameters for the printer bed, then click the Create button.


    The printer bed is automatically generated for the part.



  3. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Orient the Part

You have multiple options to orient your part on the printer bed. The best option depends on the support and post-processing requirements for the part. Generally, the best orientation occurs with the fewest number of undercuts and supports.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
    The yellow highlighted surfaces show the possible areas to accommodate the support structure.


  2. Click the Surface icon from the secondary ribbon
  3. Select the surface shown below to orient it parallel to the printing bed.


  4. The microdialog that appears lets you define options such as the distance between the part and the printer bed and whether you want to retain undercuts. Keep the default values and exit the tool.

Create Supports for the Part

  1. Click the Create Supports tool on the Support icon.
    Inspire auto-generates a support preview, which can be configured according to design needs. This automatically generated support cannot be printed as it appears.
  2. Hold the Ctrl key and select all of the supports to edit them.
  3. Select the Rod Supports icon, expand the Pattern section and select Circle-shape section for the Shape.
  4. Enter .1 mm for the Pin separation to define the spacing of the supports.
  5. Click Generate on the microdialog to generate the supports, and exit the tool.
    The generated supports should look something like this:

Slice and Preview the Model

View the different layers of the model using the slice feature.
  1. Click the Slice icon.
  2. Drag the slider from the Base toward the Top to review the progression of the printing layers. The gradual changes that you see in the geometry from layer to layer are key for successful additive manufacturing.
  3. Click Top View to observe the part from above, as if looking down at the printing bed.
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Run an Additive Manufacturing Analysis

  1. Click the play button on the Analyze icon.
  2. Define the parameters for the analysis as follows:
  3. Click the Run button to run the analysis.
    A green flag is displayed over the Analyze icon when the analysis is complete.

    Note: If you don't want to wait for the run to complete before proceeding to the next step, you can load the aero_bracket_results.stmod file in the Print3D folder from the Demo Browser (F7).

Review the Analysis Results

  1. Click the play button on the Analyze icon.
  2. Select and review the result types in the Analysis Explorer.
  3. Select Displacement and review the results.
    The displacement result type shows how much your model will displace or deflect during the 3D printing process. The areas of the model that are the darkest red will have the most displacement.
  4. Select Plastic Strain and review the results.
    The plastic strain result type shows which parts have exceeded their yield limit and deformed. The dark red areas show the areas under the greatest strain.
  5. Select von Mises and review the results.
    The von Mises stress results can be used to predict the part performance and durability. The areas shown in orange and red have exceeded the peak stress.
  6. Select Temperature and review the results.
    This result type shows the highest temperature (red/orange) vs. the coolest temperature (blue/green) on the part after the printing process is completed. The temperatures are calculated as an average for each element, as opposed to the nodal temperature which shows actual temperature.
  7. Select Nodal Temperature and review the results.
    This result type shows the actual temperature on a particular node. The highest temperatures are shown in red and the coolest temperatures in blue. Nodal temperatures may be more extreme than the average element temperature.
  8. To observe the springback effect on the model, play the animation of the results and review the final frames after the printing simulation finishes.