Get to know which 3D Printing materials is best for your project.
Scroll down to see all sorts of materials in action.
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There are excellent material specification overview by Simplify3D on their website:
https://www.simplify3d.com/support/materials-guide/properties-table/
FDM Filaments
Standard PLA/PETG
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is the most versatile and most used filament in 3D printing and is great for all sorts of projects. It is know to be more a more eco friendly product being derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, beat or sugar cane. Some are even food grade.
PETG is second only to PLA in versatility. Slightly better heat resistance, easy to sand, better durability and more weather resistant. Not quite as strong as PLA. Typically higher gloss but can be a little more tricky to get a perfect finish.
Both are considered economical and produces good looking prints. PLA takes the crown to produce the most aesthetic 3D prints.
Carbon Fiber PLA/PETG has added strength and stiffness. The surface finish is also a smooth matte.
Marble PLA
A special additive gives this interesting spackled look that’s likened to marble.
SILK PLA
Silk PLA’s can come in a variety of colors such as silver, gold, copper, blues,…etc.
Silk silver is a popular choice for a metallic luster look.
However they do tend to be a little weaker than regular PLA and should be used when aesthetics over mechanical properties is important.
Silk PLA
This video helps give an idea of the silk luster that can be achieved.
Sparkling PLA
PLA of different colors can have a glitter like additive to give that slight sparkling texture.
Translucent PLA/PETG
PLA/PETG can come in a translucent or semi-transparent filament.
Different colors are available that are semi translucent as well.
The image shows how light can be used to diffuse through for a cool effect, or even to act as a lamp.
There are different infill paterns that can affect the properties of a print.
Some are for smoother surface finishes. Others to maximize strength in a particular direction, or all directions uniformly.
Some allow for fluid to through easily for special projects or to better dissolve water soluable infill.
(The image is showing a 12% infill, with a gyroid pattern, similar to a spherical pattern,)
Infill Patterns
The higher the percentage of infill the stronger the 3D print, but can increase costs. Usually only 15% infill is necessary for most aesthetic focused projects, otherwise 25% and up can significantly increase strength.
(The image is showing a 70% infill, with a grid pattern)
Infill
Polycarbonate
Well known for its strength and durability. Much stronger than PLA and PETG, and is also heat and impact resistant.
Polycarbonate is harder to print with and a more expensive material.
Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate, or CF-PC, has significantly added strength, stiffness and heat resistance. The surface finish is also a smooth matte.
Nylon
Like polycarbonate nylon is very strong and certain nylons are even stronger. It is also very durable and tends to be stiffer than polycarbonate. However some nylons can be more flexible. Nylon is also very resistant to chemicals.
Nylon is harder to print with and a more expensive material.
Carbon Fiber Nylon, or CF-PA, has significantly added strength, stiffness and heat resistance. The surface finish is also a smooth matte.
FDM Multi-Material
Two Color or Material
IDEX printers are special as they have two print heads, that can take turns between either two colors or even two different materials.
This allows for more complex patterns or structures. For instance one material can be water soluble.
Another example is a tire could be made of flexible TPU and the wheel could be a hard plastic.
Three or More Thermoplastics
Three or more color/material is possible but through a single print head.
Machines that specialize in up to 16 color/materials is available.
Printing can be tricky but it opens up projects to a lot more possibilities.
SLA Resin
Standard Resin
Resins for SLA 3D printers are usually chosen for the much higher resolution and accuracy properties of the final product. From an FDM layer resolution of 0.1mm to SLA ‘s 0.01 mm, makes the surface of small prints smooth.
Most resins are technically less strong than PLA. However the horizontal layer bonding is much better in resins, resulting in more strength in the horizontal direction, or overall shear strength in all directions.
The printing process is made more difficult due the messy nature of resin and being toxic before curing. There are extra steps to wash and fully cure the print.
Translucent Resin
Having a higher resolution and smoother walls can make the resins all the more translucent. Some can come close to being clear, for a great effect.
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We have at our disposal various printers that are specialized to meet your specific printing needs.