The quality of the brackets printed using different 3D printing techniques can vary depending on which settings are used. Below are some guidelines to use when printing the brackets using common 3D printers. Each guide gives suggested settings, as well as images and dimensions of the printed pieces.
Each print is of the “Top” bracket for comparison.
MakerBot Replicator Gen. 5
10mm layer height
Using the above settings, the estimated print time is 2 hours and 12 minutes. The material usage is 15.11 grams.
Diameter specified in the SW File: .127 cm Diameter of actual printed bracket: .123 cm
Distance of plywood insert in the SW File: .318 cm Distance of plywood insert of actual printed bracket: .302 cm
20mm layer height
Using the above settings, the estimated print time is 1hour and 13 minutes. The material usage is 13.6 grams.
Inner Diameter specified in the SW File: 1.27 cm Inner Diameter of actual printed bracket: 1.22 cm
Distance of plywood insert in the SW File: .318 cm Distance of plywood insert of actual printed bracket: .309 cm
In order to achieve a clean edge for the plywood to be inserted into the bracket, you may need to use pliers to get rid of the support material and use sandpaper to smooth down any remaining plastic.
Dimension Elite
Layer Resolution: 0.0100 Model Internal: Sparse- High Density Support Infill: SMART STL Units: mm
Using the above settings, the estimated print time is 1 hour and 35 minutes. The materials usage is 0.80 in^3 of model material and 0.20 in^3 of support material.
Inner Diameter specified in the SW File: 1.27 cm Inner Diameter of actual printed bracket: 1.26 cm
Distance of plywood insert in the SW File: .318 cm
Distance of plywood insert of actual printed bracket: .315 cm
Objet 30Pro
Unlike the previous 3D printers, the Objet30Pro does not have as many options to change the density of the part or the layer height. This model was printed without a glossy finish.
The estimated print time is 3 hours and 58 minutes. The materials usage is 27.0 grams of VeroGrey and 18.0 grams of support material.
Inner Diameter specified in the SW File: 1.27 cm Inner Diameter of actual printed bracket: 1.26 cm
Distance of plywood insert in the SW File: .318 cm Distance of plywood insert of actual printed bracket: .316 cm
