3D printing is a technology that has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with mass production. With a 3D printer, you can create physical objects from a digital model. This makes 3D printing a powerful tool for prototyping, serial production and design. If you are considering ordering 3D prints, it is important to choose the right material. There are a wide variety of materials available, and each material has its own unique properties.
Ordering 3D prints can be a challenge, especially when it comes to choosing the right materials for your needs. With a wide range of processes and materials, it can be difficult to know which is best for your specific application. In this guide, we will explore different material choices and their uses to help you make the best decision when ordering 3D prints.
How to choose the right material for your 3D printing?
Choosing the right process and material is not always completely clear and there are many parameters you may need to take into account. When faced with the choice of materials for your upcoming 3D printing, it is crucial to consider the intended use of the object and the important properties.
It is also highly relevant to have an idea of how many details you wish to order at each ordering occasion, as this also draws more or less towards different processes. The material and process you choose will affect the function, performance, appearance of the result, which finishing processes are possible and, of course, price. In this context, it is important to take into account the following aspects:
- Aesthetic requirements: First of all, you need to know if the most important thing about the detail is that it should be aesthetically pleasing or have good mechanical properties, as this can be costly to combine. What are the different finishing processes for the 3d printing processes that make the aesthetic requirements fulfilled? For plastic, SLA is often suitable for the most aesthetic models, but if you have requirements for e.g. strength, SLS, MJF and FDM are preferred.
- Material requirements: Next, you should define the purpose that the finished object will serve. Different components require materials with different properties to achieve the desired result. Here it is important to think about what requirements you have. For example, does the part need to be water-resistant, UV-resistant, ESD-rated, made of metal or is plastic enough, withstand high temperatures, deform in a special way, be rigid or flexible, or perhaps have low friction?
- Complexity: It is said that complexity in 3d printing is free, which is true to a large extent but not always because in some cases complexity can exclude certain processes which could be the more cost effective alternatives. Generally speaking, SLS and MJF are for plastic, as well Binder Jetting for metal, the processes that allow the highest complexity. But there may be other requirements that make the other processes more interesting anyway.
- Size: Size is something that can also exclude certain processes as the details simply do not go into the printer, or that the price quickly runs away with the size of the detail in certain processes. In general, price increases exponentially with size, but the process that has the flattest exponential increase is FDM. FDM is thus the process that is usually the cheapest for large details. However, FDM is often more expensive than SLS and MJF when manufacturing small parts.
- Quantity: It is important to know what production volume you are thinking of as each print process is suitable for different production volumes. Both MJF and SLS are designed to produce large quantities of parts in a short time, which means that these processes are the processes that should primarily be used for series production. If there are only a few details to be manufactured, FDM may be good to look at.
At Top3D, we offer several processes for plastic and metal printing, with a wide range of plastics and metal alloys at your disposal. Let's take a closer look at some of the most common:
Plastic material: Plastic 3D printing is very suitable for mid-volume end products, functional prototypes and design models. Here we offer the processes SLS, FDM, MJF and SLA for plastic printing and has a large library of plastics to choose from. Some of the most common plastic materials that our customers prefer are:
- PA (Nylon): Strong and flexible material that is well suited for functional prototypes and final products in small and large series. Can be manufactured using the SLS, MJF and SLS processes with a variety of options when it comes to finishing.
- PP (Polypropylene): Light and durable material that is suitable for the manufacture of covers and capsules that should not be so dumb. Manufactured using the SLS process.
- PET-G: Our favorite for manufacturing with FDM! The properties are very similar to ABS but give a better result. This polymer works well outdoors, hr high strength and a very universal plastic. However, the heat resistance is a little worse than ABS. PET-G is a plastic that is completely transparent and available in a variety of colors and works well for most applications.
- TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Flexible and durable material used for the manufacture of elastic parts.
- PC (Polycarbonate): Strong and durable material that is well suited for applications that need to be very stiff, withstand high temperatures or be impact resistant.
Metal alloys: For more demanding applications, metal 3D printing may be the best choice. We offer a wide range of metal alloys and processes to meet different needs. These are the most common alloys used:
- Stainless steel (316L and 17-4PH): Strong and corrosion-resistant material that, with a strength similar to infection, is excellent for the manufacture of tools, machine parts and parts for production lines.
- Aluminum: Light and durable material used for the manufacture of e.g. aircraft parts and vehicle components.
- Titanium: Strong and lightweight material that is perfect for medical implants and aircraft components.
- Copper: Conductive materials used for the manufacture of electronic components and heat exchangers.
Post-processing: To further enhance your 3D prints, Top3D offers a range of post-processing processes, including staining, polishing, CNC machining, varnishing and surface treatment. By choosing the right post-processing, you can achieve high tolerances and give your prints a professional and finished look.
Order 3d prints from us at top3d.se
Now that you have an idea of different material choices, it may be time to order your 3D prints. Here are some steps to follow to order 3d prints from us:
- Create a 3D model – You can create a 3D model yourself, use us or other external help to create a model. If you are not familiar with 3D modeling, there are many resources available online that can help you get started. We prefer to receive your 3d file in STEP, STL or OBJ format.
- Upload your 3D model – When you have completed the 3d model you want to make, upload it here.
- Specify the manufacture – Based on your application and requirements, you specify the process and material you want and in some cases some other options to ensure that your print is exactly how you want it.
- Confirm your order In most cases, the price is generated automatically, which means that you can immediately decide on your order. Certain materials, processes and price levels require a manual review by us before we send you an offer. It is important to double check all details to avoid any misunderstandings or errors in your order. When you have carefully reviewed our offer, you can accept it directly online, which then becomes a legally binding order from you. An invoice is sent to the specified invoice address in connection with the delivery.
- Shipping and Delivery – Standard shipping for orders placed through our online tool is clearly stated there as well as an estimated delivery time. When we confirm your order, you will receive a more detailed delivery date.
Ordering 3D prints can be a fantastic way to create custom objects for different purposes. By choosing the right materials and following the right process, you can ensure that your 3D prints meet your expectations and needs. Whether you choose plastic or metal, 3D printing is a technology that allows you to turn your ideas into reality. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need help with your order. We are experts and have the resources to help you on your way to successful 3D printing.
If you need help, just contact us in the chat or here:
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