Best 3D Printing Software

Today, many materials, printers, and 3D printing design software available in the USA are used in additive construction and manufacturing. These printers and final objects may range from small devices to entire buildings, from intricate devices to medical implants.

1. Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing:

Manufacturers, production houses, and design labs use the best 3D printing software to create prototypes that were not possible earlier. This saves time, gives proof of concept, and exposes the final product's vulnerabilities before production starts.

Best 3d modeling software for 3d printing is also used for rapid manufacturing of small custom batches of products, or where the delay can cause severe disruptions in the supply of critical machines or devices.

2. Automotive:

Automobile industries were among the first to utilize 3D printing tools for producing spare parts, tools, jigs, etc., with 3D printing on-demand manufacturing resulted in lower inventory costs, shortened production cycles, and more margins.

Enthusiasts of vintage cars and bikes use it for producing out-of-production parts to restore vintage vehicles.

3. Aviation:

Many complex components used by commercial and fighter jets, rockets, and satellites are now manufactured by using the best 3D printing tools. In addition to producing the yet impossible designs, 3D printing keeps the costs low, reduces the component weight, gives more stability, and improves the fuel economy.

4. Construction:

The COVID-19 pandemic saw the erection of many makeshift hospitals and isolation centers overnight. These buildings would generally take 3-6 months even if work is done non-stop 24x7. But with the help of 3D printing systems for construction, many such facilities were erected in a few weeks. 

5. Prosthetics and Medical Implants:

Many medical devices and implants companies are using to custom design and manufacture prosthetics and implants for each patient’s unique needs. Using sophisticated 3D printing design software, they can control up to a fraction of a millimeter in their shapes and size to give the perfect fit. Joint implants, hip implants, prosthetic limbs, and hearing aids are the most commonly produced items.

6. Dental Implants:

The use of 3D scanning of the face and jaw of the patient can result in perfect design to fit their bone structure. Using the best 3D printing software, the dental surgeon can render perfect dentures and crowns that will not trouble the patients.

7. Bio-printing:

Printing of bio-degradable and living organs is a new concept taking hold in the medical fraternity. Researchers have already succeeded in printing skin and rudimentary muscles using inkjet techniques and 3D printing solutions.

8. Food:

Some innovative restaurants are experimenting with additive manufacturing by using food Ink and edible material to create attractive and tasty dishes.

9. Education:

Teachers and students use 3D printing solutions to produce working models, projects, and prototypes quickly and affordably. Students can understand many concepts – in sciences, arts, fashion, designing, and engineering – far better with 3D models and working prototypes than by simply reading about them.

10. Fashion:

The fashion and footwear industry has embraced 3D printing tools for producing stunning designs, comfortable footwear, clothing range for high-intensity requirements (like firefighters or athletes), and limited-edition items.

Jewelry designers are using 3D design software for creating intricate designs with metals and materials that were never possible earlier. Even the eyewear industry – both corrective and otherwise – is embracing 3D printing solutions for bespoke designs in frames.

Types of 3D Printing Software

3D printing solutions come in all shapes and sizes – from proprietary industrial software to open-source software. Much open-source software is a good first place to start learning 3D printing, but eventually, you will need professional software for large-scale production.

3D printing software can have different specialties:

• Design software that creates intricate 3D printable objects
• Scanning applications to capture objects in 3-dimensions and recreate their design for further adjustments and 3D printing
• Repair software to correct the mesh, repair import errors, and make files printable
• Slicing software that prepares final G-codes with printer settings

Problems in 3D Printing Industry & Solutions

Like any manufacturing process, 3D printing has its fair share of problems and issues. These problems can relate to training, material, process, designs, or hardware. Let us look at the few most common problems and their solutions.

1. First Layer Problems:

The most common problems with the first layer are that either it does not stick, or it does not remove from the printing bed.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Adjust Nozzle Height
• Check Bed Temperature
• Check the Bed Levelling 
• Set Optimum Print Speed
• Set the Fan Speed
• Use Bed Adhesion Tools
• Use External Adhesive Agents

2. Clogged Nozzle:

Many users who are new to printing and do not know proper hardware maintenance face this problem.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Adjust Nozzle Height
• Check Filament
• Ensure Priming of Nozzle
• Remove Clogging in Nozzle with Plier

3. Porous Infill:

Depending on the thickness and pattern of the print, infill can cause problems by being too weak and porous or too complex and strong.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Check Extrusion Width
• Set Optimum Print Speed
• Use Correct Infill Pattern

4. Oozing and Stringing:

As the nozzle retracts, the extra material still on its tip can string to your print or deposit like an oozing substance. By carefully managing retraction of the nozzle, oozing and stringing problems can be minimized.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Adjust Heater Temperature
• Avoid Long Free Travels
• Adjust Travel Speed
• Set Ideal Retraction Speed and Distance in Slicing software

5. Warping:

Warping could happen when the software’s most deposited material cools too quickly as the cooling material contracts and lifts the ends. Distortion also causes cracks in print.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Adjust Bed Temperature
• Adjust Fan Speed
• Change Build Plates
• Set Optimum Enclosure Temperature
• Use Stronger Bed Adhesion

6. Nothing is Printing:

This could be because of several reasons:

• The hardware is taking too much time to print.
• There is a filament problem, and the material cannot extrude from the nozzle.
• The slicing file was incorrect with errors.
• There is not enough material in the printer.

Factors to Consider When Implementing 3D Printing Software

1. Overhangs:

For 3D printing, the material is deposited over some underline material or support. The area that is partially or not supported by the underlying layer is called an overhang. Depending on the process and material, the support for overhangs may vary. As a good design practice, you must limit the overhangs for a smoother surface finish.

2. Wall thickness:

Too thin walls for an object cannot be adequately produced by a 3D printer because of the environment in which it works – a high-speed fan is required to cool the deposited material. It is better to add thickness to your models’ wall as a thickness of less than 0.8 mm may be challenging to print.

3. Warping:

When the deposited material cools too quickly and unevenly, warping happens. It can also cause cracks and disbalance in the model. The larger the flat surface, the greater are the chances of warping. You can minimize it by correct machine calibration and stronger surface adhesion. But it is better to add rounded corners and to avoid large flat surfaces in your 3D designs.

4. Level of Detail:

A complicated design with intricate details has more chances of going wrong than a simple design. Each process and hardware can produce minor features up to a limit, and you must keep it in mind while designing the model. The material used also has a strong bearing on the level of details you can achieve.

Future Trends of 3D Printing Software

1. Process Customization:

Increasingly the users are demanding that online 3D design tools allow process customization for different types of processes, materials, and designs. Software that supports no or limited customization would eventually phase-out of the race.

2. Support for Different Materials:

With new materials being developed and launched for 3D printing, the software must handle them properly. Each material’s physical and chemical properties are different from others, and the software must take all that into account before starting the print job.

3. Scalable 3D Printing:

Many industries and manufacturers are gearing up for a scalable 3D printing revolution. They are setting up entire floors dedicated to 3D printing, where each machine can be configured to produce a different item or the same item. This can be controlled by centralized 3D design software.

4. Integrated Data Analytics:

Many 3D printing tools are coming with integrated data analytics and business intelligence modules. With the help of critical analysis of production, design, and QA data, the 3D printing system should identify troubles, bottlenecks and suggest corrective actions.

Best 3D Printing Software

Here we have curated a few of the five best 3D printing software in both commercial and free and freemium open-source categories.

1. SketchUp:

Professionals like architects, designers, builders, and engineers rely on SketchUp, one of the most professional tools available. It can be used to design and print from the most miniature objects to large buildings. Many of its features include textures, lighting effects, 3D and 2D models, layer management, and animations.

2. SelfCAD:

Similarly, SelfCAD is the best software for beginners that is easy to use. It is primarily used by teachers, students, researchers, and small to medium enterprises. Its object library provides many pre-designed components to be used in your designs. Some of its features are 3D modeling & sketching, transformations, repairing of deformations, sculpting tools, and support for 3D printing.

3. MakePrintable:

Another fully-featured 3D CAD software is MakePrintable, specially designed with the needs of small and medium enterprises in mind. Many tools like 3D Analyzer and Viewer, 3D Model repair, 3D Model Converter, Developer API, and Workflows make MakePrintable an end-to-end solution for designers, businesses, and mature users.

4. AutoCAD Electrical:

One of the most reliable and trusted 3D and Modeling software Autodesk now comes with AutoCAD Electrical, to efficiently design, modify, and document complex electrical controls systems for industry-specific requirements. Some of its great features include automatic report generation, a collaboration between customers and suppliers, and easy project management.

5. SolidWorks:

With SolidWorks companies can shorten their design life cycle, immensely increase productivity, and quickly deliver innovative products. You can get a complete range of 3D CAD tools allowing you to create, publish, simulate, and manage your model data. It can be used for simulation, electrical design, visualization, and 3D CAD.