Frequently asked questions about 3D printing

An old well-known Czech proverb says - who asks a lot, learns a lot . But when it comes to 3D printing, it never hurts to expand your horizons a little. In the article, you will find the most frequently asked questions, from the most basic ones for those who have not yet encountered 3D printing, to more specific questions for knowledgeable users of 3D printers. 

What is a 3D printer?

A 3D printer is a printer that converts a digital 3D model into a real three-dimensional object during the printing process. And most often with the help of so-called additive technology = gradual addition of special material until the desired model is created.

How does a 3D printer work?

3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing, where material is gradually added during production (this is a fundamental difference from other manufacturing devices that work on the principle of machining, cutting or shaping material using molds). Before each print, a 3D master of the model must be created (which you can create yourself or download from websites that deal with this). The 3D printer uses a special material (filament) for printing, which it injects onto the substrate, and by gradually adding layers, the desired print is created.  

What are the benefits of a 3D printer?

3D printing is a relatively new technology that brings great application possibilities. This is a type of production that allows for a huge number of variants with regard to design and material. It will find its application in the healthcare sector (for example, the production of prosthetic limbs), in the aerospace industry (3D printing can also produce complex internal parts in components), in the automotive industry (3D printed components are often lighter) and, last but not least, in households. On a 3D printer, you can print various household accessories (whether practical or designer), jewelry, toys for children... it's no wonder that a lot of DIYers and tinkerers have found 3D printing.

What are the limitations of 3D printing?

Although 3D printing finds its application in many industries. There are still limitations that block it from being used on a massive scale. The main reason is time – printing on a 3D printer takes a relatively long time compared to classic production methods. And as we all know - time is money. Another limitation is the size of the printer, which indicates the maximum print size. And thirdly – ​​most printers can only work with a certain type of filament. Although multi-material 3D printers or upgrades that allow printing with more materials can already be purchased.

What types of 3D printing technologies are there?

There are quite a large number of technologies that are used in 3D printing. It differs in the process by which it reaches the final print.

Types of technologies:

  • material extrusion

The construction material is pushed to the selected places by means of a nozzle. The application takes place gradually in layers.

Technology name: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

  • Polymerization (vat polymerization)

During the process, the liquid polymer in the tub is cured in selected places using a light source (mostly UV light).

Technology name: Stereolithography (SLA), Direct Light Processing (DLP)

  • Sintering of powder material (powder bed fusion)

Additive manufacturing takes place using a process during which the building material in the form of powder is sintered in selected places. After finishing one layer, the printing plate moves on to the next.

Technology name: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

  • Material jetting

During the process, small drops of building material are applied to the selected places of the pads by means of jetting.

Technology name: Material Jetting (MJ), Drop On Demand (DOD)

  • Binder jetting

With this technology, during the process, a liquid binder (glue) is applied to the powder material at the places where the material is to be joined.

Technology name: Binder Jetting (BJ)

  • Direct energy deposition

The principle of this technology is to concentrate thermal energy on selected places where the material melts and connects it with previously applied layers.

Technology Name: Laser Engineering Net Shaping (LENS), Laser-Based Metal Deposition (LBMD)

  • sheet lamination

The basis of this technology is a process where sheets of material are gradually applied and joined to form the entire object.

Technology Name: Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM), Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Is there a difference between 3D printing and additive manufacturing?

Basically it isn't. The process of creating a 3D object using a digital master is called additive manufacturing . But the term 3D printing was also used for this type of production , which originally meant only production where the resin is cured thanks to UV radiation or a model is created using binder material and powder. But nowadays the term 3D printing is used for all types of additive manufacturing.

What is the difference between 3D printing and 4D printing?

With classic 3D printing, models are created that are static (i.e. their appearance does not change, if we ignore that it may be a flexible material). But 4D printing goes a little further - its goal is to create products that will change shape or functionality (for example, running shoes that adapt to a specific person's foot or functional clothing that changes depending on the weather). 4D printing is still more in the theoretical and testing sphere.   

Is it possible to build your own 3D printer?

Yes. On the market you can find all the parts for a 3D printer and a lot of instructions, articles and tips on how to do it. All you need is a little DIY skill and passion for the cause, and go for it.

What is filament and why is it needed? 

The word filament comes from the Latin word "filum", which means thread. In the world of 3D printing, this term is used for material in the form of filaments wound around a spool. Some 3D printers use liquid resin instead of filament to print.   

What should I know about filament before I start 3D printing myself?

First, you should focus on the type you are going to use, as some filaments can release toxic fumes when printing. On the contrary, some filaments have a certificate of health safety (for example, the popular PLA filament - but beware, there are also various PLA filaments with additives that are no longer suitable for contact with food).

What types of filament are available? 

There is a wide range of filament types on offer. The most common sizes are 1.75 mm and 3.00 mm. The most common materials used for FDM technology (molten filament extrusion and deposition) are PLA and ABS . 

They gained their popularity mainly due to their affordability and ease of use. Various additives (such as metal or wood) are mixed into some filaments in order to improve or modify their properties.  

What is the best filament?

It is difficult to find an answer to this question. Basically, it depends on two main aspects - what kind of printer you have and what you plan to print. The choice of filament depends on this. Not all printers can handle different types of filaments and not all filaments are suitable for all models. Before you start printing, you need to think about what characteristics your final print should have - should it glow in the dark? Should it be flexible? Will you be editing it, sanding, etc.? Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to get the best results. Countless articles and discussions that deal with this topic will definitely help you in many ways.

How do I find out what types of filament my 3D printer supports?

You can find the most certain answer in the printer's manual or on the website of the specific manufacturer. Another option is to look at various articles and tips on websites dealing with 3D printing, or contact us, we will be happy to advise you.

Will an unsupported filament type damage my 3D printer?

We recommend using a filament for your 3D printer that is supported by the 3D printer manufacturer. Using the wrong filament can damage the hotend. It is important to use the correct nozzle for the specific filament. The main rule that needs to be followed is to maintain the temperature of the nozzle, which does not exceed the permitted limit, in order to avoid overheating. An example of all can be a filament with carbon fiber that grinds the nozzle. If an unsuitable nozzle is used, it will be damaged and replacement will be necessary.

What software do I need for 3D printing?

You can't do without slicing software. Most 3D printers come with their own slicing software. The most popular and common ones include Cura and Simplify3D . If you want to start designing your own 3D models, you will need 3D modeling software.

What is it for and how does slicing software work?

In the slicing software, you prepare your 3D models for printing. The software works on the principle of dividing the model into thin horizontal layers, which are then printed by a 3D printer. In the splicing program, supports are also designed, which are necessary when printing overhangs. Other functions include, for example, the ability to change the size, check the print resolution, printer settings (eg nozzle temperature and print speed). Some more advanced software also offers a preview option, which allows you to correct errors before printing. When everything is ready, the splicing software will generate the g-codes and printing can begin.

How can I design a 3D model myself?

For this you will need 3D modeling software. There are free software downloads that will definitely get you started. We recommend starting by designing a simple model and gradually working your way up to more complex ones. You can also upload an already created 3D model to the 3D modeling software and modify it to your liking.

Where can I find free 3D printing models to download?

There is a well-known and popular platform where 3D printing enthusiasts share files and models that anyone can download and use. It's about thingiverse.com . But this website is not the only one. Other websites where you can also find 3D models for free download include: cults3d.com , cgtrader.com , myminifactory.com , turbosquid.com , pinshape.com .

How does a 3D pen work?

The 3D pen works on the same principle as 3D printers, which print using the FDM/FFF technique - they melt the filament, which quickly hardens in the air and thanks to this, it is possible to produce various shapes and models. No electronic blueprint is needed for the 3D pen. You can simply start "drawing" right away. But there are also different templates and tutorials that you can work with.

Is it possible to print quality models with a 3D pen?

With a 3D pen, you can print interesting prints, be it jewelry, toys for children or various decorations. But it should be noted that a 3D pen will never print with complete accuracy, as 3D printers can, which print according to exact codes. On the other hand, with a 3D pen, you can correct and add to prints printed on a 3D printer. A 3D pen can be an interesting tool for children, it is easy to use and develops their creativity.

What are the differences between 3D printing and CNC milling?

The main difference is the technique of creating the product – with 3D printing you add material, with CNC milling you remove material. With 3D printers, the whole process starts on an empty printing pad, where filament is added layer by layer. Whereas with CNC milling, there is some material at the beginning that is removed during the process until the desired model is created.  

How long does 3D printing take?

How long a specific print will be printed is very individual - it depends on what 3D printing technology you will use, how you will set up the printer, how thick you will print the filling and, of course, last but not least, how big the print will be. With the help of 3D printers, interesting and original prints can be conjured up, but you need to take into account that it will take time, in the order of hours. For a rough example - printing a character approx. 10 cm in size can take up to 4 hours.  

How can I reduce the cost of 3D printing?

The selected material, model size and filling density are reflected in the print price. If you want to print only exceptionally, you can use the services of companies that print 3D models to order (you can also make a request with a non-binding calculation here ). 

But if you plan to print often, it's already worth investing in your 3D printer.

First of all, you need to set up the 3D printer correctly so that there are no errors, such as nozzle clogging or printing failure. After removing the error, you might have to start printing the model from scratch, and this already increases the printing costs.

Another option to reduce costs (and printing time) is to reduce the size of the print and reduce the density of the filling, but be careful - it is always necessary to observe the minimum wall thickness.

And last but not least, you can increase the layer height, which will result in faster printing. But before you do that, you need to consider the functionality and appearance of the printout. The low layer height ensures that the print is smooth and has sharp edges. Which is especially desirable for prints where you need them to match other components/parts.