How do you perfect your 3D prints?

Different printing technologies offer access to different materials, so take that into consideration before selecting a machine.

Different materials offer unique properties: PLA is biodegradable and easy to use, though not as strong. ABS is tough and impact-resistant but needs a heated print bed and ventilation. PETG combines PLA's ease with ABS's strength and is glossy with good layer adhesion. TPU is flexible, suitable for elastic objects, but printing can be tricky. Nylon is strong and durable, ideal for industrial use. Consider your project needs, printer compatibility, and nozzle size. Happy printing! ?????

Also, consider type of 3D printing technology to be used- Fused deposition/laser-assisted printing, UV-cured resins etc. Another technological advancement has been the use of colloidal inks with specific properties like electrically conductive, thermally conductive and magnetic filaments.

Different AM technologies require specific starting materials. For instance, FFF, FDM, wire arc melting, and ceramic extrusion printing utilize filaments, wires, or slurries. Binder jet, LBPF, SLM utilize powders, while SLA primarily employs resins or inks. Thermoplastics are suitable for extrusion-based 3D printing due to easy filament availability, whereas ceramics are better suited for binder jet or slurry-based techniques (as it is very challenging to draw ceramics into filaments/wires). Therefore, knowing the starting material requirement, strengths and limitations of each AM process is crucial in selecting the right AM process. Best of luck with your future 3D printing endeavors!

Different AM technologies require specific starting materials. For instance, FFF, FDM, wire arc melting, and ceramic extrusion printing utilize filaments, wires, or slurries. Binder jet, LBPF, SLM utilize powders, while SLA primarily employs resins or inks. Thermoplastics are suitable for extrusion-based 3D printing due to easy filament availability, whereas ceramics are better suited for binder jet or slurry-based techniques (as it is very challenging to draw ceramics into filaments/wires). Therefore, knowing the starting material requirement, strengths and limitations of each AM process is crucial in selecting the right AM process. Best of luck with your future 3D printing endeavors!

In addition, optimizing your settings always comes with a trade-off. Thus, it is important to define the goal of your print and prioritize important variables, before optimizing your process parameters. From my experience, lowering the layer height and increasing the infill percentage would increase print time, which might be a concern for large structures.

Optimizing slicer settings involves finely adjusting parameters like layer height, speed, temperature, infill percentage, and wall thickness. Layer height impacts detail and Z-axis resolution. Speed affects accuracy versus print time. Temperature influences material behavior. Infill and wall thickness impact strength. Experimenting iteratively is crucial to find the right combination for each print's technical requirements.

A simple fix for a lot of extrusion issues with a filament feed printer can be resolved by ensure the filament is gravity fed into the extruder in a straight line of pull. This will reduce friction of the internal gears and help to ensure even material extrusion and layer adhesion. A simple solution is to hang a small towel rod over top of your machine to hold the filament roll to allow gravity to assist.

Moreover, the first layer of the print plays a significant role in the overall adhesion of the printed structure. Some common bed adhesion issues can be addressed by printing with a lower layer height for the initial layer. This provides the necessary squish required for the print to adhere to the bed. In addition, the print speed needs to be adjusted accordingly to compensate for the initial layer bed adhesion. A reduced print speed is usually recommended.

Keep in mind that one adhesion method may not suffice for all materials. Also while the immediate adhesion is the main concern for a print job, removing the build post-print is also important to consider. TPU for example tends to stick too well to BuildTak and can often times damage the surface after print removal.

In addition, ensure this is done at the right temperature of the filament being extruded. It is important to know that different filaments could have various flow properties or rheology. As a result, this should also be factored in when calibrating the extruder.

Pressure/linear advance is the most important extrusion factor for high quality prints. This must be calibrated in klipper or Marlin using specific test prints. It has to be done after all other factors are calibrated and it is only valid for one specific combination of print temperature, filament, and nozzle diameter.

Also remember that there are different types of nozzles that may have different geometry or material for different applications. Another important point is the gaps and connections of the hot runner for the filament supply and the top of the nozzle.

Yes. This is one that is largely over looked and quite a simple fix. I have found extruding a cleaning filament at a high temp, around 225 - 235 C. After extruding I also remove the nozzle and use a hot needle, in my case heated with a blow torch, to remove any further debris. A hot needle may not be appropriate for all nozzles as it will be dependent upon what kind of metal it is made out of.

There are also some other post processes such as curing, debinding and sintering processes that are essential for various printing processes to have a good print.

When working with PLA or ABS, it's quite easy to smooth ridge lines using a rag and acetone. Use caution as acetone is highly toxic so wearing gloves is a must. It's also possible to smooth ridge lines with a diluted solution of PLA and acetone. Add small pieces of PLA to the acetone and allow them to dissolve our several days. A bottle that can be shaken up is a good idea to thoroughly mix substance. Then apply in the same manner as straight acetone.

Model orientation while affecting the amount of supports required and bed adhesion, can also affect the structural integrity of the print. Layer lines are the primary failure points for many materials so orientation should be strongly considered when designing and printing parts that will be subjected to loads.

You always want to consider the orientation of your 3D prints. You can reduce print time by avoiding adding supports where they are unnecessary. Avoiding substantial overhangs (<45deg to the bed) and choosing an orientation that requires the least support will make your prints cleaner and require less post processing of the print (sanding, filing, clipping supports, etc.).