You’ve probably already heard of SLA (stereolithography), a 3D printing process in which layers of liquid-resin are selectively cured solid with a laser. SLA is a mature technology that offers several advantages over FFF, including speed, flexibility, and precision. However, the biggest advantage is there is no mechanical print head
What is the Difference Between SLA and LFS? Read More »
ESD (electrostatic discharge) is the transfer of electrical charges between two contact points. ESD-safe materials like those from Essentium reduce or stop static electricity discharge, protecting electrostatic-sensitive devices. Essentium is a leading producer of ESD-safe materials for FFF/FDM 3D printers, including Essentium’s HSE 280i HT, HSE 180 and
A quick guide to printing Essentium’s ESD-safe materials Read More »
What is SLS refresh rate? The SLS refresh rate is the percentage of the new cartridge that is ‘refreshed’ with new, unused powder, with the remainder made up of recycled powder. For example, 30% recycled powder means a 70% refresh rate. The Formlabs Fuse 1 makes
SLS Refresh Rate: What is it, and how does it work? Read More »
When printing thermoplastics with dual extrusion, one extruder is typically dedicated to printing a support material and the other a core material. We have covered core materials before (FFF plastics, SLA resins, FFF metals), but what of the support materials used in FFF plastic printing? This article introduces 3D printer support materials,
An Introduction to FDM/FFF 3D Printer Support Material Read More »
SLA 3D printers use a UV laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic on the print bed, turning the liquid resin into a solid, three-dimensional model. The resin is made from photosensitive monomers and oligomers, combined in short chains, which turn into long chains with post-curing. There’s an enormous
An Introduction to SLA Resins Read More »
In addition to plastics, some FFF/FDM 3D printers are capable of printing metal filaments providing the extruder is rated for metals, and the nozzle can be upgraded to hardened steel to cope with the abrasive filament. Metal FFF is based around metal injection moulding (MIM), which uses a three-step process
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Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is the simplest and most common additive manufacturing technology. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is the same thing, except it is a trademarked term owned by Stratasys. An FFF 3D printer extrudes melted thermoplastic in layers to form a three-dimensional model. Various thermoplastics are available, from standard
An Introduction to FFF/FDM Plastics Read More »
Nozzles screw into the hot end of a 3D printer extruder, acting as the exit point for the melted thermoplastic filament. 3D printer nozzles are made from solid metal, featuring a tiny nozzle opening. The nozzle opening size (bore size) defines the thickness of the melted filament on exit, with
What Are Nozzles On 3D Printers? Read More »
An extruder is the part of a 3D printer responsible for moving the filament through the printer and melting it for the nozzle. Extruders are sometimes called printheads, but this name also encompasses the nozzle system, which is a simple, user-replaceable part. Extruders tend to be contained units, although some
What Is An Extruder On a 3D printer? Read More »
With additive manufacturing, we can precisely control two aspects of any part: the perimeter (walls) and the infill (insides). Contrary to popular belief, 3D printed models are rarely ever hollow. Most have at least a basic infill either to improve the physical characteristics of the part or where necessary to
What Is Infill? What Does It Do? Read More »
