Workflow: Preparing parts for additive manufacturing

Use the Manufacture workspace to prepare parts for manufacturing using machines with various additive capabilities.

Fused filament fabrication (FFF)

FFF is a material-extrusion technology for depositing layers of melted thermoplastics.

1. Design a model.

2. Create an additive setup with an FFF machine and print setting.

3. Position the components within the additive machine's build volume.

4. Create and assign presets of a print setting.

5. Add support structures, such as solid volume or solid bar supports.

6. Generate the additive toolpath.

7. Simulate the additive toolpath.

8. Display print statistics.

9. Post process the additive toolpath or export the additive build to a 3MF file.

Stereolithography (SLA) / Digital light processing (DLP)

SLA/DLP is a vat photopolymerization technology for depositing layers of thermosetting plastic resins.

1. Design a model.

2. Create an additive setup with an SLA/DLP machine and print setting.

3. Position the components within the additive machine's build volume.

4. Add support structures, such as volume, bar, or polyline supports.

   Note: Some supports are available only with the Fusion Manufacturing Extension.

5. Export the additive build to a 3MF file, or to another file type.

Multi-jet fusion (MJF)

MJF is a powder-bed-fusion technology for depositing layers of thermoplastic powder particles. MJF is like SLS but uses a binding agent and the heat source is infrared light.

1. Design a model.

2. Create an additive setup with an HP MJF machine and print setting.

3. Position the components within the additive machine's build volume.

4. Send the additive build to the machine's HP SmartStream software or export the build to a 3MF file.

   Note: Sending the additive build to HP SmartStream requires the HP 3D Printers for Autodesk Fusion add-in, which you can download from the Fusion App Store. Run the add-in using the Scripts and Add-Ins dialog.

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

SLS is a powder-bed-fusion technology for depositing layers of thermoplastic powder particles. SLS is like MJF but the heat source is a laser.

1. Design a model.

2. Create an additive setup with an SLS machine and print setting.

3. Position the components within the additive machine's build volume.

4. Export the additive build to a 3MF file, or to another file type.

Metal powder bed fusion (MPBF)

MPBF is a powder-bed-fusion technology for depositing layers of metal powder particles.

1. Design a model.

2. Create an additive setup with an MPBF machine and print setting.

3. Position the components within the additive machine's build volume.

4. Create and assign presets of a print setting.

5. Add support structures, such as volume, bar, or polyline supports.

6. Generate the additive toolpath.

7. Simulate the additive toolpath.

8. Export the additive build to a 3MF file or another file type.

Binder jetting

Binder jetting is a technology for depositing layers of powder particles with a binding agent. During a secondary process called sintering, the deposited part is placed in a furnace. The binding agent evaporates, and the powder particles are bound together. Common materials for binder jetting include metal and sand.

1. Design a model.

2. Create an additive setup with a binder jetting machine and print setting.

3. Position the components within the additive machine's build volume.

4. Add support structures, such as base plate or setter supports.

5. Export the additive build to a 3MF file.

Directed energy deposition (DED)

DED is a technology for depositing beads of melted metal powder or wire onto a base surface, where it then solidifies.

For DED, see Workflow: Preparing parts for additive multi-axis deposition.