What is 3D printing?
What software should I use for 3D printing?
What kind of ‘ink’ (filament) can I use in a FFF 3D printer?
Which type of filament is better?
Where can I download models to 3D print?
Which size filament is better, 1.75 mm or 3 mm?
3D Printing is the act of creating a model, using a 3D printer, from a CAD file. 3D printers use an additive process to create items. This means that, unlike using a CNC machine, there should be no cutting or sintering, and a build is created layer by layer.
3D printing is a fantastic manufacturing process for generating models, prototypes, and for “hacking” day-to-day items. 3D printing is currently used in a range of industries both to create prototypes and to build end-products. As the technology progresses, more and more commercial applications will emerge using 3D printers to create items. There are several different technologies which are considered as additive manufacturing processes, or 3D printing:
Fused Filament Fabrication
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is a 3D printing technology which deposits 3D printing filaments, layer by layer, to create items. The most common FFF 3D printing filaments are thermoplastics which include PLA, ABS, nylon, and a range of specialty filaments. The filaments currently available on Black Magic 3D are all designed for FFF printers.
Stereolithography
Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing technology which generates objects by, layer upon layer, using a UV laser to harden a liquid photopolymer. As each layer is created, the print bed moves slightly deeper into the photopolymer, and the next level is created using the UV laser.
Selective Laser Sintering
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing process which uses a laser to sinter powders together, layer by layer, creating the object. It appears similar to SLA (the printbed descends one level into the print material after each layer is complete), but uses powders instead of liquid. Further, it differs by hardening each layer not by the materials reaction to UV light, but by fusing the material together using a high power laser.
What software should I use for 3D printing?
You may use a number of different types of Computer Assisted Design (CAD) programs to generate models for 3D printing. Some of the most popular software programs include:
- AutoCAD
- FreeCAD
- AutoSCAD
- Solidworks
- Google Sketchup
- Rhinoceros
What kind of ‘ink’ (filament) can I use in a FFF 3D printer?
You may use a range of thermoplastics (plastics which can be easily manipulated when heated and cooled) in a 3D printer, as well as some specialty materials which use additives in conjunction with thermoplastics to give them enhanced properties. The most common 3D printing filaments are:
PLA
- Plant-Based
- Unlikely to Bend (more likely to snap)
- Less likely to warp than other materials
- Sticks well, thus it is not imperative to have a heated print-bed
- Tends to produce smoother prints than ABS
ABS
- Petroleum-based
- Hard, more likely to bend than PLA
- Slightly more likely to warp than PLA
- Sticks well, but not as well as PLA
- Melts at a higher temperature than PLA
- Better choice than PLA if printing something to be used in a high-temperature setting
- Soluble in acetone – it can be used to smooth the print
Nylon
- Stronger material than ABS and PLA
- Can be remelted again and again without losing its properties, because it is 100% thermoplastic
- Corners tend to shrink and cool more quickly than the rest of the build, thus it is important to use a heated bed and tape on your print-bed
Specialty Filaments
These range from Ninjaflex, to taulman nylons, to Black Magic 3D’s soon to be released conductive filaments
Which type of filament is better?
It is dependent on what properties you are looking for in an end product, and the ease-of-printing you are trying to achieve. You may want to use PLA for prototyping because it is considered easier to use, prints at a lower temperature, and prints tend to be smoother than with ABS. However, ABS is less likely to snap and can withstand higher temperatures, so you may be more likely to use ABS for a print you intend on using for awhile.
Where can I download models to 3D print?
There are a number of Internet outlets you may visit to find downloadable CAD files. They include GrabCAD.com and Thingiverse.com.
Which size filament is better, 1.75 mm or 3 mm?
Practically speaking, both filament sizes will yield similar results. You may find a host of debate online about which is preferable, but there is no definitive answer. Each 3D printer is designed to work with a different sized filament, so your decision on which filament to buy depends on which printer you are using.