3.1.5. Adaptation of the Models to the Means of Manufacturing

The dimensions of the subassemblies are sometimes larger than the volume of the 3D printers. Therefore, it is necessary to divide the elements so that they adapt to our possibilities. In the upper left part of Figure 6, one of the parts into which the piece has been divided is located above the 3D printer work area.

**Figure 6.** Piece divisions to fit in the 3D printer work area.

In addition, the material used in the engineering project is not the same used in the manufacture of the scale model. The geometry of the project is conditioned to its resistance in a specific material, so the change of material to print the pieces may require that geometric adaptations are generated. Some examples that need adaptations can be very thin fins or very long pieces. In both cases, it is necessary to add nerves or small tabs so that the pieces do not break when manufactured. Figure 7 shows an element that required the generation of internal reinforcements to increase its rigidity.

**Figure 7.** (**a**) View of the reinforcement connection between the two parts in which the piece has been divided. (**b**) Piece printed in two parts. (**c**) View of assembled printed pieces.

These geometry addition techniques may also be necessary with a shuttering function during 3D printing of the element to avoid buckling problems during printing, and which must then be removed from the final element.
