As the world gets more creative and complex with its ideas, more people are turning to plastic 3D printing as the go-to manufacturing solution for materialising all sorts of design projects. This is only possible due to the recent rapid development in 3D printing technology. Nowadays, there are all sorts of 3D printing machines that can cater to the various needs of average consumers as well as businesses. These days 3D printing offers advantages over manu traditional processes when it comes to:
Design Flexibility: Since 3D printing uses additive manufacturing techniques, this approach naturally supports higher design complexities such as enclosed features, intertwined features etc. As such, this increased capability allows you to create highly-customised designs that meet your needs.
Rapid Prototyping: Due to the use of plastics and polymers, 3D printing allows you to quickly test out concepts and rapidly iterate through many prototypes, thereby reducing the time and cost that is normally associated with traditional prototyping methods.
Cost Efficiency: 3D printing reduces material waste by using only the exact amount needed to build the part. Additionally, the absence of tooling and molds lowers initial setup costs, making it a cost-effective solution for low to medium-volume production.
Material Customisability: Due to rapid advancements in the material science industry, there exists a wide range of plastic/polymer types and compositions that will certainly meet your design and functional requirements.
Plastic/Polymer Printing Methods
Plastic/polymer 3D printing services for plastics and polymers leverage several advanced technologies to meet various industrial needs:
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
The most common 3D printing technique that is currently available in the market. It works by melting and extruding filaments through a heated nozzle to build plastic layers.
Stereolithography (SLA)
Uses a UV laser to cure a bath of liquid resin into solid parts layer by layer by tracing out each layer’s cross-sectional shape.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Uses a laser to melt polymer powders layer by layer to form solid structures.
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Similar to SLA, DLP uses UV light to cure a bath of liquid resin into solid parts layer by layer by projecting out each layer’s cross-sectional shape.
Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF)
Uses a binding agent and fusing agent on polymer/plastic powder to create layers when heated.
Choosing the Right 3D Printing Method
When selecting a 3D printing service for plastics and polymers, consider factors such as material options, printing technology, and post-processing capabilities. Leading service providers offer comprehensive support, from initial design consultation to final product delivery, ensuring that your needs are met with precision and quality.
Method - FDM
Pros
Most common 3DP process available on market
Cheap
Very wide range of materials
Good for big volume prints
Cons
Relatively Poor standard finish
Generally requires more supports for complex geometries
Method - SLA
Pros
Very accurate
Very wide range of materials
Good for small volume prints
Relatively Good standard finish
Cons
High setup times
Slightly expensive
Method - SLS
Pros
Produces parts with excellent mechanical and physical properties
Supports highly complex geometries
Cons
Expensive
Small range of materials
Method - DLP
Pros
Fast print times
Very wide range of materials
Good for small volume prints
Relatively Good standard finish
Cons
Less accurate than SLA
High setup times
Slightly expensive
Method - MJF
Pro
Allows for multi-material printing
Con
Expensive
Some Common Materials
PLA
Applications:
Prototyping applications
Medical components
Specifications:
Biocompatible
Biodegradable
Very common material for FDM
Cheap
Good strength and stiffness
ABS
Applications:
Casings and enclosures
Automotive interiors and accessories
Household products and consumer goods
Specifications:
Tough, Good impact resistance
Durable
Lighter than PLA
Very common material for FDM
Cheap
Good strength and stiffness
Good heat and chemical resistance
TPU
Applications:
Consumer products (e.g phone case)
Vibration dampeners
Specifications:
Flexible
Strong
Durable
Very good abrasion resistance
Very good chemical resistance
Some Exotic Materials
Nylon, Infused Carbon Fiber
Applications:
High performance parts
Drones and UAVs
Sports equipment
Specifications:
Excellent strength and stiffness
Excellent durability
Nylon, Infused Glass
Applications:
Automotive parts
Electronics
Specifications:
Excellent strength
Excellent heat resistance
Good fatigue resistance
PEEK
Applications:
Bearings
Pumps
Piston components
Specifications:
Excellent chemical resistance
Excellent wear characteristics
Excellent machinability
The rapid advancements in 3D printing technology have made plastic and polymer-based manufacturing more accessible, efficient, and versatile than ever before. Whether for prototyping, custom production, or industrial applications, choosing the right 3D printing method andmaterialis essential for achieving high-quality results. As innovation continues, 3D printing will remain a key driver of modern manufacturing, unlocking new possibilities for businesses and creators alike.
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