---
name: build-orientation
title: Reason Over Build Orientation and Its Anisotropy Consequence
description: Connect a part's orientation on the build plate to its resulting grain texture, surface quality, support requirement, and property anisotropy.
keywords:
- level:L1
- manufacturing-processes
---

State the build orientation explicitly relative to a defined reference
(build-plate normal / Z-axis) for the feature or specimen being discussed —
"the part" does not have one orientation if different regions or specimens
were built at different angles.

Connect orientation to its three characteristic consequences: crystallographic
texture and columnar grain growth generally align with the local heat-flow
direction (often close to build direction), producing directional strength
and fatigue behavior; down-facing and shallow-angle surfaces require support
structures and exhibit rougher as-built surface finish than up-facing or
vertical surfaces; and staircasing on curved/angled surfaces sets an
orientation-dependent achievable surface accuracy.

Do not assume properties measured on a vertically-built specimen apply to a
horizontally-built feature of the same part, or vice versa — state the
orientation the property claim was measured at.

Return the stated orientation, its texture/anisotropy consequence, its
surface-finish and support consequence, and which specimens or features the
claim actually covers.