How to Strengthen Your 3D Printed Parts Along the Z Axis | Reinforced

Don't want your parts to break? Watch this video.
If you've been around 3D printing at all, you've probably heard that the Z axis is weaker than the XY plane. This can cause your parts to break and crack when pressure or impact is applied. And if you're not prepared or anticipating this, it can really mess up your day or your plans.
In this video, we explore how to design your 3D printed parts so that they're strong enough to do the job you need them to.
Let us know in the comments if there's something you'd like us to cover or a challenge that you're working through!
Video Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
0:34 - Why is z-axis strength important?
1:13 - What is anisotropy
2:41 - What makes the z-axis vulnerable
5:43 - Addressing functional requirements
6:39 - Bending die demo
11:51 - Let's review!
#3Dprinting #3Dprintedparts #3Dprinter #manufacturing #engineering
Want more 3D printer tips and tricks? Visit our learning library to uncover more how-tos and information on AM: bit.ly/3GgGcma

[@revelationsneworder7069]

Thank you to this amazing team! Mad respect to you guys keep on keepin.

[@markforged]

Thanks!!

[@GoldRatEngineering]

Great informative video crew

[@Jonofwrath69]

Thank you so much for this! I'm getting a couple of X7s soon for tooling and bend wheels and this is really taking my language! Awesome work!

[@markforged]

Thank you for the comment 🙏 Hope you enjoy those X7s. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

[@Jonofwrath69]

@@markforged Out of interest what is that bend wheel designed to bend?

[@ijcarroll]

AMAZING!!! I never even thought about bolts or machine keys. I'm a minimalist and have found (in not as extreme as steel bending demands) that bamboo skewers and E6000 embedded into a grid infill or cutout in cad works amazing! (bamboo is one of the strongest organic materials on Earth)

[@ukrytykrytyk8477]

Interesting idea. I'd like to see some video or an article written with some examples!

[@paulsproule9132]

Fantastic information. Thankyou.

[@markforged]

Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful!

[@cl3m3n7]

Incredibly high production quality ! And a nice informative video, well done ! However there were a lot of shots of the MetalX in this, are the sintered parts also anisotropic ?

[@markforged]

Thank you! The process of adding material layer by layer inherently creates anisotropic strength, however the sintering process of the Metal X comes much closer to isotropic strength in the Z direction. Regardless of material / process, part strength will always be dependent on the part's geometry.

[@threedprintedmarinetechnol3330]

Hi Nick, I did extensive research and published the conference paper "Effect of Manufacturing Parameters on Failure in Acrylonitrile-Butadiane-Styrene Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling" and I am surprised you made no mention of the advantages that can be gained just by the build orientation of the part. Your example not so much due the nature and use of bending dies but still build orientation is worth a mention along with bead width. It does have significant impact on strength.

[@paulerlic5393]

Yeah I was gonna say the same thing you might be able to forgo all those bolts by printing the part in an upright orientation, I guess you have to print with support but whatever

[@amicloud_yt]

Maybe he skipped it because it's too obvious?

[@Big3dprinter]

Thank you great video

[@markforged]

No, thank YOU!

[@timhartsough6773]

Does anyone have suggestions for small circular sections like on flexi 3d prints..the small rings that interlock always split so easily on z axis.

[@the_junkyard]

What about changing your print orientation?

[@yepp_rowing]

G'day Nick, Thanks for the excellent video. We have a number of MF machines and are constantly confronted with the issue of Z layer bonding strength, particularly when a 'pause' forms part of the build, [the options you offered in this recent video are not an option for this client]. Why do you think it is that MF have not addressed the [seemingly simple option - to us at least] solution of allowing the user to modify the build layers for a selected region, or layer stack, so that 'solid' , or 'higher density', infills could be placed before and after these pauses, creating much denser layer bonding surfaces? Sadly, the Eiger application is incredibly limited in the options if provides to users, especially when compared with how far the market has moved since the introduction of MF's first offering, back in dark ages. This would be a very welcome feature, and it appears that it could borrow heavily from the code base which handles the insertion if 'continuous-fibre' laid down on selected layers. Please don't tell me it's 'on the road map' :-) Peter

[@yepp_rowing]

Hi again Nick, Just wondering if you have had an opportunity to raise this issue with the MF Team internally yet? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks - Peter

[@jutto64]

Thanks, very informative. With regard to holding the machine keys, are they a press fit and/or CA glue?

[@markforged]

Press fit!

[@donovannewton9507]

I’m in the process of getting some D2 Tool Steel punches a dies made in the Metal X. I’m wondering if the entire part needs to be tool steel or if 90% of the punch could be printed in Carbon Fibre/Fibre Glass with an insert that’s D2 TS instead. At present the part is only breaking in one point.

[@markforged]

Yes, we certainly have customers who leverage both metal and composite within a single tool design. These customers localize metal where they need the strength, wear, or heat resistance of steel, and then leverage composites where those properties are not needed.

[@lanzdavid958]

👏

[@markforged]

Right back at ya - thanks for watching!

[@zerker2000]

Q: how do I use 3D printed plastic tooling in machines expecting metal A: make them half out of metal

[@bcored]

It would be nice if you demonstrate the end results

[@markforged]

Noted! Thanks for the feedback!

[@American.Divergent]

I’m sure if it was successful there would be a video 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@etandekeijser2818]

How can I get parts faster and more efficiently?

[@dejan.]

Use thinner walls with more wall layers, increase layer heights or buy more printers haha!

[@technesa]

Queremos establecer comunicación con ustedes.

[@markforged]

Fill out this form and we'll connect you with one of our experts: markforged.com/talk-to-an-expert

[@jefm32]

I gotta be honest, i learned nothing from this.

[@M1America]

"Z axis strength" is so ambiguous its a meaningless term. Go learn some engineering.