About 3D Printing
What is 3D Printing?
The magic of bringing something to life in physical form!
3D printing is essentially taking a material (in my case, different forms of plastic) and melting it and forcing it through a nozzle assembling it layer by layer into the shape that you want. As it prints each layer, it is instantly cooled and it bonds with the previous layer. These objects (models) can contain thousands to millions of layers depending on the layer thickness. We are talking in some cases 0.1 mm thick.
3D Printers
Information Coming Soon…
Materials
Information Coming Soon…
Heat
In order to make 3D printing work, you have to melt the material at different temperatures, which vary based on the material being used. PLA, which I use for most my models I print usually around 210 degrees Celsius (410 Fahrenheit). The melted material is then forced through a nozzle in a steady stream and formed into a shape.
Many materials also require a heated bed (build platform). This is to keep the object you are printing stuck to the bed. If the part moves from its spot, your model would be ruined. Since you are printing layer by layer, it is important that the next layer is printing on top of the layer below. If the part was allowed to move, then you are printing in mid air, and that creates a mess.
Speed & Time
3D printing is not like you might see in the movies. With today’s 3D printing technology, it takes time to print. The higher the quality, the slower you need to print. Different materials have to be printed slower or faster. When you have complex or high details, you again need to go slower. The average model that I print is probably 10-14 hours to complete. The largest model I print right now takes about 46 hours to print. On average about 60 mm/s.
The amount of infill inside the model also affects the amount of time it takes to print. My models range from 10% to 100% (solid) infill. 90% of my models are 30% infill. It is a balancing act to create a decent feeling statue with details and yet make it as cost effective as possible.
Software & Design
Before you can even begin 3D printing you need to have a model to print. You can either design your own, or download from websites (such as Thingiverse). There are many more.
Depending on your level of skill, there may be mulitple applications used to create your design. But ALL 3D printing involes slicing software (Cura or Simplify3D). This is where you take your model and split it into thousands of layers for your printer to print. There is a lot more to it than this, this is just the high level view.
Costs
There are many costs associated with 3D printing. One of the largest costs of course is the 3D printer itself. Then you have the software (free options available). The filament (material) costs depending on the size of your print. Electricity costs. You are heating both the build platform and extruder nozzle for many hours at a time. There are cooling fans, lights, and the control box, etc.. Don’t forget any finishing options, possible failures requiring starting over, and your time. Also upgrades, replacement parts, etc.
Not all of this is expensive, but the costs can add up. For me, I have to take all that into consideration before setting prices on things that I sell.
