3D Printing Genius: 2015

3D Printing Genius Teams up again with WOESOUNDS to create a cool playlist

3D Printing Genius Teams up again with WOESOUNDS to create a cool 3D printing playlist, we know we missed you last week so we added a co...

You bought a 3D printer, you want to make a 3D printed shoe, but you ask yourself what type of materials I should use to ensure my shoes are durable.

No problem, I will break it down for you.

There are mainly four type of plastics used for home 3D printers ABS, PLA, and PVA.

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) plastic is the same plastic that Legos are created from which means ABS are a bit strong, resistance to chemicals, heat and impact. ABS is also used to create luggage, camera bodies and battery cases; most importantly, ABS is affordable.

The Cons of ABS:

It is a petroleum-based non-biodegradable plastic, but it can be recycled.

Creates mild fumes which may irritate sensitive people

Can deteriorate by prolonged exposure to sunlight

Note: since ABS attracts moisture, ensure that it’s stored in an airtight container.

PLA (Polylactic acid or polylactide) is a biodegradable thermoplastic which is created from renewable resources, such as cornstarch, sugar cane, tapioca roots or potato starch. These ingredients gives PLA a candy smell when it melts and makes it the most environmentally friendly solution for 3D printing.

PLA is used in surgical implants, food packaging, bags, disposable tableware, upholstery, disposable garments, hygiene products and even diapers. PLA is therefore considered as pretty safe and these characteristics has made it popular in the printing community.

Cons for PLA:

PLA is tough, but becomes brittle once it cools down.

PLA is slow to cool

It cannot stand too much heat and becomes soft around 50°C.

As with ABS, PLA does also attract water molecules from the air and it will become (more) brittle and sometimes difficult to print with, ensure that it is stored properly in an airtight container.

PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) is a special plastic that is water-soluble. It’s mainly used as paper adhesive, in packaging film, in feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products, or in children’s play putty or slime.

Cons for PVA:

The finished object can be put into water until the PVA has completely dissolved…not what you want

Ambient air moisture will deteriorate the filament very quickly.

High priced

Once you have chosen the appropriate material, you should check whether the filament diameter is compatible with your printer before ordering. The two standard diameter sizes for filament are 1.75mm or 3mm.

Hopefully this post was helpful in educating you on the different plastics used in a 3D printer. Depending on your project ABS, PLA, and PVA are the main plastic materials you will encounter during your 3D printing creation process.

What type of material should I use to create my new project??

You bought a 3D printer, you want to make a 3D printed shoe, but you ask yourself what type of materials I should use to ensure my shoes a...

Want to buy a 3D printer…Yes?

Ok, which one?

There are thousands of 3D printers available for sale, but which ones are rated with top customer reviews? 3D hubs thankfully created a 2015 Best 3D print buying guide which was based on 2279 reviews of 300,000+ 3D printers.

I will just break down the top three. Here is a list of the top 3 best rated 3D-printers

The rating of each 3D printer included an overview of rint quality, ease-of-use, build quality, reliability, failure rate, noise level, customer service support, community, running expenses, openness, software and value.

Makergear M2

The Makergear M2 is a well-designed, reliable 3D printer and a top pick for fanatics.

This machine comes equipped with a heated platform which uses ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic filament) or PLA (Polylactic Acid plastic filament, smells like candy when you print) to build objects with a maximum dimension of 203 x 254 x 203 mm. The 3D printer comes in either kit form or assembled. Users can also customize the machine with on board controls and interchangeable nozzles. Makergear recommends the use of Simplify3D software, but is flexible to allow users to choose their own software. With plentiful online tutorials and an active online community rates Makergear as one of the top 3 manufacturers in customer support.

The downsides? Makergear uses 3D printed parts which have been known to cause minor issues….oops, even so this high rated 3D printer basic kit starts at $1475.

Zortrax M200

Zortrax’s M200 is among the top choices for easy to use “plug n play” and reliability. The M200’s owners reported the fewest failed prints, with more than 96% of M200 owners recommending their printer. Even so when problems do arise, their online community usually has a quick fix.

The M200 only prints with ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic filament), and has a 200 x 200 x 185 build platform which is perforated to ease the material’s tendency to warp. The printer comes assembled with a full range of accessories for just under $2000.

Printrbot Simple Metal

Printbot Simple Metal is 3D printing without breaking the bank!

The new Simple Metal is the upgraded version of the entry level Printrbot Simple and comes with a powder-coated steel frame and an aluminum extruder (where the cooking process takes place). It features an auto-leveling probe that largely simplifies Z-axis calibration. The maximum build volume is 150mm x 150mm x 150mm. The standard version prints only with PLA (Polylactic Acid plastic filament, smells like candy when you print), but is upgradeable with a Mic 6 Aluminum, which works well for ABS too.

The Simple Metal is also open source and the most upgradeable 3D printer on the market. Users can choose from wide array of add-ons and open source software.

The downside? The Metal Simple is not the easiest printer to use and not the most reliable. Initial setup and calibration takes a few hours and several users experienced minor issues, including nozzle jams and feeder issues.

For newcomers and students it's a great platform to start learning the different aspects of 3D printing. For a mere $599, the Simple Metal offers a great pack of features.

This is my small take on the top 3 best rated 3D-printers that you can buy, do more search, read more reviews, check them out, go to info sessions to ensure you purchase the correct printer for your needs!

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You have googled it, asked around and even tried to calculate results in your head, how can small businesses make money in the 3D printing industry?

There are many ways to make money 3D printing if you are a small business.

1. Create products with your 3D printer

Before you start printing any and everything search for niche markets within the 3D printing industry that are in demand. Search on google or use google keyword planner to refine your search, search 3D printing forums, Etsy etc.

Once you have found a market that’s in demand, setup shop and sell on platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, Shapeways, or create your own website. If you’re a jewelry designer, customers will search for your products on a jewelry marketplace. If you want to sell Toys, then you need to find a platform where Toys are sold.

2. Create products for others using your 3D printer

There are a lot of designers, but a limited amount of 3D printer owners and businesses. Earn income by allowing other designers to use your 3D printer. The best part about this idea is that there are many networks that can connect you to designer. Check out 3D printing networks such as

3D Hubs has over 10,000 different 3D printers available in more than 80 countries and it’s a great place to share your 3D printer. Through 3D Hubs you will have direct communication with the 3D designer, choose between meeting face to face or virtually and choose wither the final product can be picked up or sent by mail. 3D Hubs takes 15% commission, which is added to the price you charge so you don’t lose money.

MakeXYZ allows designers to find a local 3D printer and calculate pricing based on the volume, this doesn’t include materials, machine time or set up fees. MakeXYZ takes 15% commission, which is added to the price you charge so you don’t lose money.

This sounds great right? But what If you don’t own a printer, how else can a small business make money in the 3D printing industry? Lend you design expertise and be a 3D print designer

2. Design products for others using your expertise and offer multiple materials

Shapeways

Shapeways is a New York City based premier online 3D printing service. The company offers a selection of 22 materials ranging from plastics ceramics to gold and platinum, in addition to expertise to help you in the design and creation of your product.

Shapeways customer service for technical issues is responsive which makes the printing process easy.

i.Materialise

i.Materialise is a Belgian based 3D printing service that offers a selection of over 17 materials including precious metals and ceramics, over 20 years of experience and is seen as a high-quality 3D printing option ($$$ high priced). They offer over 70 combinations of materials and finishes for both individual and personal applications and easy options to uploading and adjusting your model.

Sculpteo

Sculpteo is a France based 3D printing service that serves makers in both North America and Europe. The service is fast, affordable and high quality with a wide selection of materials offered. The services includes a 3D Printing Cloud Engine that lets you produce short series from 1 to 500 objects of everyday life products in less than a week. They also offer a Rapid Prototyping services that allow you to print a prototype in 3 days.

Ponoko

Ponoko is a New Zealand based 3D printing service that offers laser-cutting, 3D printing and CNC cutting. With Ponoko makers also has access to fabrication machines all over the world which can help markers complete any type of project. Makers has a choice of selling their products either via the Ponoko site, or their own retail outlets.

There are many ways to make money to make in 3D printing industry as a small entrepreneur, look for next week's post for finding specialize printing jobs.

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How does 3D printing work? Well it is not as complicated as you think. 3D printing also called additive manufacturing involves creating a solid object by layering it with thin slices of material, plastic or metal.

Here is a quick step by step guide...

1. You create a 3D image of an item you want to print using CAD software program

2. The CAD program then converts the drawing into a STL file (Standard Tessellantion Language)

3. The file is then copied to the computer that controls the 3D printer

4. Once the machine is setup the building process is automatic, all you have to do is watch the printer work.

That is just a quick take on how 3D printing works; however, there are 6 different 3D printing technologies

Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing method which is explained above. The printer requires computer aid design (CAD) file to process the object. The whole process consists of consequent printing of layer by layer.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, is used to print prototype and final end use products. Pieces printed using this technology has a good quality that allows companies such as BMW or Hyundai to use printed pieces for testing of prototypes.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a technique that uses laser as a power source to form solid 3D objects using powdered material to construct its objects

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) uses a high-powered laser beam that fuses and melts metallic powders such as steel, titanium, cobalt chrome and aluminum. Selective Laser Melting is mainly used in the aerospace and medical orthopedics industry

Electronic Beam Melting (EBM) is another type of additive manufacturing for metal parts, the main difference between SLM and EBM, is EBM uses an electron beam.

Laminated object manufacturing (LOM) is a rapid prototyping system that fuses layers of adhesive-coated paper, plastic or metal together using heat and pressure. Then the printer cut "to shape" with a computer controlled laser or knife. The LOM method is seen as faster and more affordable.

With most of the important technical items addressed, "how 3D printing works", the next post will be about how to profit from the 3D printing industry, how can you save money and can 3D printing benefit your business?

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