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Highest quality materials provide highest quality products
Process
Stereolithography
(SLA)
Advantages
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SLA 3D printing technology uses a laser or UV light to solidify liquid resin, resulting in highly accurate and precise parts with fine details and smooth surface finish.
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Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, SLA 3D printing can produce parts faster, with some printers capable of producing parts in just a few hours.
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SLA 3D printing technology can use a variety of materials, including resins with varying mechanical properties, colors, and transparency, enabling the production of a wide range of parts with different characteristics.
Disadvantages
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SLA 3D printers typically have a smaller build size than other 3D printing technologies, limiting the size of the parts that can be produced.
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The resin materials used in SLA 3D printing can be more expensive than materials used in other 3D printing technologies, resulting in higher material costs.
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SLA 3D printed parts often require post-processing, such as cleaning and curing, which can be time-consuming and require additional equipment.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
Advantages
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FDM 3D printers are generally more affordable than other 3D printing technologies, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
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DM 3D printing can use a variety of materials, including thermoplastics and composites, with different properties and characteristics.
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FDM 3D printing enables the production of complex and intricate designs, providing greater design flexibility and freedom for engineers and designers.
Disadvantages
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FDM 3D printing typically has lower resolution than other 3D printing technologies, resulting in lower accuracy and surface quality.
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FDM 3D printed parts may have limited strength compared to parts produced using other manufacturing methods, particularly for high-stress applications.
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FDM 3D printing may require specific part orientations to ensure proper support and adhesion, limiting design flexibility.
Filaments
PlolyLactic Acid
(PLA)
Advantages
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SLA printing can produce highly detailed and precise prints, making it ideal for creating intricate designs and models.
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SLA printing can use a variety of materials, including resins with different colors and properties, allowing for greater flexibility in the printing process.
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SLA printing can use a variety of materials, including resins with different colors and properties, allowing for greater flexibility in the printing process.
Disadvantages
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SLA printers typically have a smaller build volume than other 3D printers, limiting the size of objects that can be printed.
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SLA printing uses UV light and toxic chemicals in the printing process, which can be hazardous if not handled properly. Proper ventilation and safety precautions are necessary to avoid health risks.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene(ABS)
Advantages
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ABS is known for its strength and durability, making it ideal for creating parts that need to withstand wear and tear.
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ABS can withstand higher temperatures than many other 3D printing filaments, making it ideal for creating parts that will be exposed to heat.
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ABS can be sanded, painted, and glued, making it a versatile filament for creating objects with a desired surface finish or for assembling multi-part objects.
Disadvantages
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ABS is prone to warping and cracking during the printing process, particularly when printing larger objects, which can lead to failed prints.
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ABS emits strong fumes during printing, which can be unpleasant.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane
(TPU)
Advantages
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TPU is known for its flexibility, making it ideal for creating objects that need to bend or flex.
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TPU is a strong and durable filament, making it suitable for creating parts that need to withstand wear and tear.
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TPU is resistant to many chemicals, making it a suitable filament for creating parts that will be exposed to chemicals or solvents.
Disadvantages
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TPU can be difficult to print due to its flexibility and tendency to warp, which can lead to failed prints.
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TPU has limited temperature resistance compared to other 3D printing filaments, so it may not be suitable for parts that will be exposed to high temperatures.
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TPU filament may not be as widely available as other filaments, so it may be more difficult to find and purchase.
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Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol(PETG)
Advantages
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PETG filament has excellent strength, durability, and flexibility, making it suitable for printing functional parts, prototypes, and mechanical parts.
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PETG filament is highly resistant to chemicals and has good transparency, allowing for the creation of clear parts and objects.
Disadvantages
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PETG filament can also be prone to stringing, which is when excess material is left between printed parts or features. This can be unsightly and can impact the performance of the printed object.
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PETG filament is not available in as many color options as some other materials, such as PLA, which may limit design options for some projects.
Thermoplastic Elastomer(TPE)
Advantages
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TPEs have excellent elasticity and flexibility, making them suitable for use in products that require a soft-touch, comfortable feel, and flexibility.
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TPEs are resistant to many chemicals, such as oils, solvents, and acids, which make them useful in a wide range of applications.
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TPEs are often more cost-effective than other materials with similar properties, such as silicone rubber, which makes them an attractive option for many applications.
Disadvantages
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TPEs generally have lower heat resistance compared to other thermoplastics, which can limit their use in high-temperature applications.
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PEs are not available in as many color options as some other materials, which may limit design options for some projects.
Nylon
Advantages
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Nylon filament is known for its high strength and durability, making it an ideal material for printing parts that require toughness and impact resistance.
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Nylon filament is also known for its excellent flexibility and resistance to deformation, allowing it to bend and flex without breaking.
Disadvantages
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Nylon filament has a tendency to absorb moisture from the air, which can impact its printing quality and properties. The absorbed moisture can cause the filament to become brittle, resulting in poor print quality, reduced strength, and warping during printing.
Polycarbonate
Advantages
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Polycarbonate filament is known for its high strength and durability, making it ideal for printing parts that require toughness and impact resistance. It is also resistant to deformation, making it suitable for printing parts that need to withstand high stresses.
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Polycarbonate filament is highly heat resistant, making it suitable for printing parts that will be exposed to high temperatures. It can withstand temperatures up to 135°C, which is much higher than most other filaments.
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Disadvantages
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Polycarbonate filament can be challenging to print compared to other materials due to its high melting temperature and high viscosity. It requires a higher printing temperature, slower print speed, and a heated build plate to prevent warping and improve adhesion to the build plate.
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Polycarbonate filament requires post-processing to improve its strength and durability. This typically involves annealing the printed part to improve its mechanical properties.
Glow in Dark
Advantages
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Glow-in-the-dark filament can add a unique and eye-catching element to 3D printed products. It can be used to create parts that have a distinctive appearance and stand out in low-light environments.
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Glow-in-the-dark filament can be used to create safety-related products, such as emergency signage or safety gear that is easily visible in low-light conditions. This can be particularly useful in situations where visibility is limited, such as during power outages or in emergency situations.
Disadvantages
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Glow-in-the-dark filament is typically made by adding phosphorescent pigments to a base material, such as PLA or ABS. This can reduce the mechanical properties of the filament, making it more brittle and prone to breaking compared to the base material alone.
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Glow-in-the-dark filament requires exposure to high-intensity light, such as sunlight or a UV light source, in order to fully charge and emit light in the dark. This can be a disadvantage in situations where exposure to light is limited, such as during the winter months or in indoor environments with limited natural light.
Additives
PLA Glass fibre
Advantages
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The addition of glass fibers to PLA filament improves its strength and stiffness, making it a good choice for parts that require high mechanical performance.
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Despite its improved strength, PLA glass fiber remains lightweight compared to other high-performance materials, such as metal or fiberglass. This makes it ideal for applications that require a balance of strength and weight, such as aerospace or automotive components.
Disadvantages
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While the addition of glass fibers can improve the strength and stiffness of PLA filament, it can also make it more brittle and prone to cracking or breaking under stress.
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PLA glass fiber typically only comes in natural or transparent color, which can limit design options for projects that require a specific color scheme.
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PLA glass fiber is typically more expensive than traditional PLA filament, which can make it a less attractive option for budget-conscious 3D printing enthusiasts.
Nylon carbon fibre
Advantages
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The addition of carbon fibers to nylon filament improves its strength and durability, making it a good choice for parts that require high mechanical performance.
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Nylon carbon fiber has excellent impact resistance, making it a good choice for applications that require parts to withstand impact or high stress.
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Nylon carbon fiber has good chemical resistance, making it resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, and solvents.
Disadvantages
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Nylon is known to be hygroscopic, which means it can absorb moisture from the air, affecting its mechanical properties. Nylon carbon fiber filament can absorb moisture from the air more easily than traditional nylon filament, which can cause issues with printing quality and part performance.
PLA Carbon fibre
Advantages
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The addition of carbon fibers to PLA filament improves its strength and durability, making it a good choice for parts that require high mechanical performance.
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Despite its improved strength, PLA carbon fiber remains lightweight compared to other high-performance materials, such as metal or fiberglass. This makes it ideal for applications that require a balance of strength and weight, such as aerospace or automotive components.
Disadvantages
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PLA carbon fiber typically only comes in black or dark gray, which can limit design options for projects that require a specific color scheme.
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The carbon fibers in PLA carbon fiber can be abrasive and can cause wear on the nozzle of the 3D printer. This means that the nozzle may need to be replaced more frequently when using this material.
Resins
Standard Resin
Advantages
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Standard resin 3D printing can produce highly detailed and accurate prints with smooth surfaces and fine details, making it a good choice for applications that require high precision and intricate designs.
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Standard resin 3D printing offers a wide variety of colors and finishes, including opaque, translucent, and transparent options, allowing for greater design flexibility and customization.
Disadvantages
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Standard resin prints can be brittle and prone to breaking, making them less suitable for applications that require high strength and durability.
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Standard resin prints can be sensitive to UV light, which can cause them to degrade or discolor over time, especially if they are exposed to direct sunlight.
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The chemicals used in the standard resin printing process can be hazardous to handle and require proper safety measures to avoid skin and eye irritation or respiratory problems.
ABS Resin
Advantages
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ABS is a strong and durable plastic that can withstand wear and tear. It is commonly used in applications that require toughness, such as automotive parts, toys, and electronic housings.
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ABS is a versatile material that can be used for a wide range of 3D printing applications, from prototyping to manufacturing end-use parts.
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ABS is widely available and can be found in a variety of colors and grades, making it easy to source for 3D printing projects
Disadvantages
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ABS has a tendency to warp during the printing process, which can cause the print to deform or become misshapen.
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ABS requires a higher printing temperature than other plastics, and it can be more difficult to print with. It also requires a heated bed to prevent warping.
Tough Resin
Advantages
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The addition of carbon fibers to PLA filament improves its strength and durability, making it a good choice for parts that require high mechanical performance.
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Despite its improved strength, PLA carbon fiber remains lightweight compared to other high-performance materials, such as metal or fiberglass. This makes it ideal for applications that require a balance of strength and weight, such as aerospace or automotive components.
Disadvantages
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PLA carbon fiber typically only comes in black or dark gray, which can limit design options for projects that require a specific color scheme.
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The carbon fibers in PLA carbon fiber can be abrasive and can cause wear on the nozzle of the 3D printer. This means that the nozzle may need to be replaced more frequently when using this material.