{"schema_version":"1.0","knowledge_version":"printrelay-guidance-2026-11-06.1","method":"curated_guidance","topic":null,"topics":["getting_started","mesh","fdm","materials","fits","sls","costs"],"process":null,"material":null,"rules":[{"id":"units-and-revisions","topics":["getting_started","mesh"],"processes":[],"materials":[],"title":"Pin the file and declared units","guidance":"Keep the CAD SHA256, declared mm/inch units, quantity and revision together. Confirm measured dimensions against design intent before changing scale.","questions":["What overall dimensions did you intend?","Is each component a separate file with its own quantity?"],"source_ids":[],"basis":"PrintRelay handoff contract"},{"id":"mesh-closure","topics":["getting_started","mesh"],"processes":[],"materials":[],"title":"Resolve mesh defects before relying on volume","guidance":"Surface holes and non-manifold geometry need CAD or slicer review. Edge checks alone do not establish a valid, printable solid.","questions":["Are open edges intentional?","Can you re-export a closed solid from the source CAD?"],"source_ids":["prusa-model-design"]},{"id":"orientation-and-support","topics":["getting_started","fdm"],"processes":["FDM","FFF"],"materials":[],"title":"Choose orientation around function","guidance":"FFF orientation changes directional strength and finish. Review loading direction, visible surfaces and support contact. An overhang threshold depends on printer and settings.","questions":["Which surfaces must look clean?","What loading direction matters?","Can orientation or a split reduce difficult supports?"],"source_ids":["prusa-model-design"]},{"id":"walls-and-features","topics":["fdm"],"processes":["FDM","FFF"],"materials":[],"title":"Use provider-specific wall and feature guidance","guidance":"Xometry recommends roughly 1.2–1.5 mm supporting walls in its FDM guide. Treat this as that guide’s context, not a universal pass threshold. Thin features need the selected process reviewed.","questions":["What are the minimum designed wall and hole dimensions?","What nozzle, material and layer settings will the provider use?"],"source_ids":["xometry-fdm-guide"]},{"id":"fit-and-clearance","topics":["getting_started","fits","fdm"],"processes":[],"materials":[],"title":"Specify the fit, then validate it","guidance":"Zero-clearance mating parts are unreliable. Clearance depends on geometry, orientation, material and calibration; there is no universal value. Preserve parametric revisions and plan a fit test.","questions":["Is the fit sliding, rotating, press-fit or snap-fit?","Which drawing dimensions and tolerances are critical?"],"source_ids":["prusa-model-design"]},{"id":"pla-prototype","topics":["materials","fdm"],"processes":["FDM","FFF"],"materials":["PLA"],"title":"PLA for an initial shape/detail prototype","guidance":"PLA is commonly used for detailed models and quick prototypes. Do not assume it meets high mechanical, chemical or temperature demands; confirm the actual grade and application.","questions":["Is this a visual/fit prototype or a loaded end-use part?","What heat or chemical exposure is expected?"],"source_ids":["prusa-pla"]},{"id":"petg-functional","topics":["materials","fdm"],"processes":["FDM","FFF"],"materials":["PETG"],"title":"PETG is an option to evaluate for functional parts","guidance":"PETG is commonly used for mechanical parts. Relative to PLA it can introduce more stringing and harder bridging/overhangs; evaluate the actual grade and geometry.","questions":["Which performance requirement motivates PETG?","Are support-contact finish and fine details acceptable?"],"source_ids":["prusa-petg"]},{"id":"sls-powder-access","topics":["sls","materials"],"processes":["SLS"],"materials":["PA12"],"title":"Allow powder removal from enclosed SLS spaces","guidance":"Unsintered powder remains in enclosed SLS cavities without escape access. Confirm cleaning access and escape-hole design with the selected supplier; this preflight does not detect cavities.","questions":["Are internal spaces meant to be empty?","Can all trapped powder be removed and the surfaces inspected?"],"source_ids":["formlabs-sls-design"]},{"id":"complete-cost","topics":["getting_started","costs"],"processes":[],"materials":[],"title":"Compare the complete offer","guidance":"Keep manufacturing, shipping, tax, duties, finish, quantity and arrival evidence separate. A preliminary budget range excludes unknown charges and is not a landed supplier quote.","questions":["Which destination and arrival requirement apply?","Does the offer include all mandatory fees and the exact selected options?"],"source_ids":[],"basis":"PrintRelay quote-comparison contract"},{"id":"brief-for-review","topics":["getting_started"],"processes":[],"materials":[],"title":"Give the reviewer the engineering context","guidance":"State intended use, mating parts, critical dimensions, loads, environment and failure consequences. Source CAD and a dimensioned drawing help define review scope; do not substitute a material-family label for a grade.","questions":["What would failure mean in this application?","What must be checked beyond the mesh?"],"source_ids":[],"basis":"PrintRelay specialist-review brief"}],"questions":["What overall dimensions did you intend?","Is each component a separate file with its own quantity?","Are open edges intentional?","Can you re-export a closed solid from the source CAD?","Which surfaces must look clean?","What loading direction matters?","Can orientation or a split reduce difficult supports?","What are the minimum designed wall and hole dimensions?","What nozzle, material and layer settings will the provider use?","Is the fit sliding, rotating, press-fit or snap-fit?","Which drawing dimensions and tolerances are critical?","Is this a visual/fit prototype or a loaded end-use part?","What heat or chemical exposure is expected?","Which performance requirement motivates PETG?","Are support-contact finish and fine details acceptable?","Are internal spaces meant to be empty?","Can all trapped powder be removed and the surfaces inspected?","Which destination and arrival requirement apply?","Does the offer include all mandatory fees and the exact selected options?","What would failure mean in this application?","What must be checked beyond the mesh?"],"sources":[{"id":"prusa-model-design","publisher":"Prusa Research","title":"Modeling with 3D printing in mind","url":"https://help.prusa3d.com/article/modeling-with-3d-printing-in-mind_164135","reviewed_at":"2026-11-06","scope":"FFF design guidance; machine, material and settings affect results."},{"id":"xometry-fdm-guide","publisher":"Xometry","title":"FDM Mini-Guide","url":"https://www.xometry.com/resources/3d-printing/mini-guide-fdm-3d-printing/","reviewed_at":"2026-11-06","scope":"Xometry FDM guidance, not universal minimum dimensions or this supplier accepting a part."},{"id":"prusa-pla","publisher":"Prusa Research","title":"PLA","url":"https://help.prusa3d.com/article/pla_2062","reviewed_at":"2026-11-06","scope":"General PLA behavior, not a specific grade or application certification."},{"id":"prusa-petg","publisher":"Prusa Research","title":"PETG","url":"https://help.prusa3d.com/article/petg_2059","reviewed_at":"2026-11-06","scope":"General PETG behavior; actual grade, geometry and process remain relevant."},{"id":"formlabs-sls-design","publisher":"Formlabs","title":"Designing for SLS 3D Printing on the Fuse 1+ 30W","url":"https://formlabs.com/eu/blog/fuse-1-sls-design-guide/","reviewed_at":"2026-11-06","scope":"Fuse SLS design context; confirm requirements for the selected supplier machine and powder."}],"services":[{"id":"manufacturing_knowledge","billing":"free","method":"curated_guidance","deliverable":"Source-backed design guidance and questions to complete a manufacturing brief.","price_minor":0,"currency":"USD","payment_enabled":false,"production_enabled":false},{"id":"preliminary_dfm","billing":"free","method":"rule_based","deliverable":"Measured STL observations and explicit review gaps; no AI specialist or certification is implied.","price_minor":0,"currency":"USD","payment_enabled":false,"production_enabled":false},{"id":"budgetary_preview","billing":"free","method":"budgetary_model","deliverable":"A disclosed uncalibrated planning range for supported simple FDM prototypes.","price_minor":0,"currency":"USD","payment_enabled":false,"production_enabled":false},{"id":"dfm_review","billing":"free","method":"specialist_review_requested","deliverable":"Deeper review queued for a specialized agent. The report is available only after the actual review; no completion time is promised.","price_minor":0,"currency":"USD","payment_enabled":false,"production_enabled":false},{"id":"quotation","billing":"fee_offer_required","method":"verified_estimation_requested","deliverable":"Sourcing and verified estimating work requested through the backlog; no live quote is implied.","price_minor":null,"currency":"USD","payment_enabled":false,"production_enabled":false},{"id":"manufacturing","billing":"fee_offer_required","method":"manufacturing_request","deliverable":"Exact-spec manufacturing request for review; acceptance does not initiate payment or production.","price_minor":null,"currency":"USD","payment_enabled":false,"production_enabled":false}],"limitations":["General guidance is free and is not a part-specific engineering approval.","Provider-specific dimensions are context, not measured dimensions of your part.","No supplier availability, price or delivery is asserted."]}