The Factors That Influence 3D Printing Lead Times

Operator Discernment and Cognitive Bias

The operator’s discernment, as well as their tendency to fall into cognitive bias, can have a significant impact on 3D printing lead times. If you’re printing in additive manufacturing (AM) mode, and you’re printing layers that are only a few millimeters thick, the model may be very delicate. To prevent the operator from damaging the model, they may be slow and cautious when removing it from the printing bed. This can significantly lengthen the lead time, since the operator will be slow when removing the model and careful not to break it. In some cases, the operator may also be subject to cognitive bias, such as when they’re trying to make their job as perfect as possible. This can happen when the operator wants to make sure the model is printed flawlessly, so they take their time and go through multiple checks before removing it from the printing bed. This can increase the lead time significantly.

3D Modeling Techniques

The 3D modeling techniques you use can also have an impact on the lead times for your 3D printed models. If you’re using a CAD software that allows you to modify and edit the model before sending it to be printed, this can help reduce the lead time. However, if you send the model as-is, the operator will have to spend time modifying the model so it can be printed. This can lengthen the lead time significantly. You can also reduce the lead time by making sure your model is in an appropriate file format. If your CAD software allows you to save the model as a STL file, this is the most common file type. However, if your CAD software doesn’t allow you to save files in STL format, you can still send the model to the 3D printer by converting it to a file type that your CAD software can save in, such as OBJ.

The size and type of the job

The size and type of the job you’re printing can have a significant impact on how long it takes for the model to be printed. Larger models tend to take longer to print, as well as models that use a lot of material. For example, if you’re printing a large scale model that’s made from a high-density material, this can significantly lengthen the lead time. If you need to print a large-scale model, you can try to reduce the lead time by slicing the model in two or more pieces. If you’re printing a model that needs to be of a certain type, such as a medical model that needs to be sterilized, the lead time may be extended even further. For example, if you’re printing a medical model and need it to be sterilized, you may need to use an autoclave. Autoclaves are more complex to operate and can significantly increase the lead time.

Standardization of Files

The standardization of files can have a significant impact on the lead times for using 3D printing as an order fulfillment method. If you’re using a slicing software to prepare your model for printing, you can try to standardize the file by only including the models you need printed. If you have a file that contains several models, such as a house model, a car model, and a person model, slicing the file so that the house and the car model are printed but the person model is omitted can help reduce the lead time. This is because the slicing software will only have to process the necessary information required to print the house model and the car model. If you have a file that contains several different models, but you only need to print one of them, you can try to omit the other models to help reduce the lead time.

Equipment and Material Selection

The equipment and material selection you use can also have a significant impact on your 3D printing lead times. Before you select a piece of equipment, such as a 3D printer, find out how long it takes to heat up and cool down. This will allow you to know how much time you need to prepare for printing. If you’re using a 3D printer that takes 10 minutes to reach the appropriate temperature for printing, you should start printing at least 10 minutes before you need to produce the finished model. Additionally, the material selection you make can have a major impact on your lead times. The bulkiness of the material and the amount of time it takes to cool down can have a major influence on your lead times. For example, the longer it takes a material to cool down, the longer it will take to print and the longer the lead time will be.

Combining Files for a Single Print

Another way to shorten your printing time is to use slicing software to combine as many files as you can into one print job. For example, if you have multiple models that are small and don’t need to be printed at very high resolutions, you can combine them into one print job and print them with a low layer thickness. This will allow you to print the models quickly, and you can finish the print job all at once. This is a good method for files that can be combined because you don’t have to worry about the quality of the models being compromised because the layers won’t be thick enough to be noticed. However, if the models you want to combine are of different sizes, you can resize the smaller model to make it the same size as the larger model. You can do this by resizing the model in your CAD software or using a 3D modeling software that allows you to scale content.

Reprinting Files to Resolve Printing Issues

If you’re experiencing issues with one of the models you’ve printed, you may want to reprint the model while you troubleshoot the issue. While this may increase your lead times, if you’re trying to use 3D printing to fulfill orders, it may be necessary. If you’re printing multiple models and one of them has an issue, such as the print stopping partway through, you can try to reprint that model at a later time when you have more time. This  will  have a direct effect on delivering the item thereby increasing the lead time. An acceptable  lead times to quote is 5 - 10  working days, this will allow for  any reworks that  have to take place or lags in logistics  due to poor courier preformance.