DFAM: 3D Design and Printing Services with Precise Layer Adjustment
Within the scope of 3D Design and Printing Services, we enable you to produce lighter, stronger and more economical parts using 3D printing and design services and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) principles.
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) for Maximum Efficiency in 3D Design and Printing
What is DFAM?
Additive Manufacturing Custom Design (DFAM) is an approach that adapts design from head to toe to the layered manufacturing logic of 3D printing technology. Geometries that push the design boundaries in traditional machining and casting methods are easily realized with DFAM.
Within the scope of our 3D design and printing services, each part is optimized according to DFAM principles and provides the best results in terms of both performance and cost.
DFAM's Main Goals
Maximizing the Advantages of 3D Printing Technology
- Material Efficiency: Infill ratios are reduced with lattice and skeletal structures; while weight is reduced, strength is maintained.
- Complex Geometry Production: Details that are considered impossible in traditional production such as single-piece assemblies, internal channels, organic forms are designed without any problems. Get a Quote!
Optimizing the Design Process
- Printing Time & Cost Management: Layer thickness, support requirement and printing direction are determined during the design phase; thus, time and material are saved during the 3D printing and design services process.
- Functional Integration: Assembly steps and error risks are minimized by integrating multiple parts into a single component.
DFAM Process Steps
1. Preliminary Design and Material Selection
Thermoplastic, metal powder or composite materials are evaluated according to application requirements. Click Whatsapp for more information!
2. Topology Optimization and Lightweight Structures
Software tools (nTopology, Altair Inspire) analyze load-bearing areas. Unnecessary volumes are removed; internal skeleton structures are defined, resulting in a 50–70% weight reduction.
3. Print Orientation and Support Design
Critical areas of the part are positioned according to the print direction; interlayer adhesion and surface quality are optimized. Support structures are designed for easy separation; post-processing time is reduced.
4. Finishing and Quality Control
Processes such as sinter, temper, coating and sanding are planned. Part quality is confirmed by measuring tolerances with CMM or optical 3D scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions About 3D Design
Design for 3D printing (DFAM) optimizes parts for the additive process—accounting for internal voids, lattice structures, and support needs up front. Traditional design focuses on subtractive processes like machining or casting, with their own tooling and draft-angle constraints.
Key factors include layer thickness adjustment, print orientation, and support design; material selection; minimum wall thickness; and tolerance definitions. Optimizing orientation and support break-away characteristics also reduces post-processing effort.
Well-crafted DFAM designs cut print time and material usage, boost mechanical performance and surface finish, and minimize support structures—drastically reducing post-processing time, overall cost, and delivery lead times.
Topology optimization analyzes where the part needs to bear loads and removes all unnecessary material. Software like nTopology or Altair Inspire uses defined loads and constraints to automatically generate the optimal geometry.
Lattice structures dramatically lower part weight while preserving strength. They are ideal in low-load regions, for aesthetic or thermal-management needs, and in applications requiring energy absorption or flexibility.
Print direction influences interlayer adhesion strength, surface roughness, and support volume. Determining orientation based on critical surfaces (holes, thin walls, overhangs) ensures optimal adhesion and minimal supports.
Orient the part at self-supporting angles, reduce overhangs and protrusions, and choose break-away or soluble support materials to simplify post-processing.
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