What is Filament Printing

FDM or Filament printing is great for general purpous prints. Toys, fidgets, cosplay props and weapons, home/office items, home repair and customization.

Filament printing, also known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is a popular 3D printing technique. It involves creating a three-dimensional object by layering melted thermoplastic filament.

Here's a step-by-step description of the process:

1. **Design**: The process begins with designing a 3D model using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. The model is then converted into a format suitable for 3D printing, usually an STL file.

2. **Slicing**: The STL file is imported into slicing software, which converts the 3D model into a series of thin layers and generates G-code. The G-code contains instructions for the 3D printer on how to move, extrude, and build the object layer by layer.

3. **Loading Filament**: The thermoplastic filament (commonly PLA, ABS, PETG, or other materials) is loaded into the 3D printer. The filament is typically in the form of a spool.

4. **Heating**: The printer’s extruder heats up to the appropriate temperature for melting the filament. Different materials require different temperatures.

5. **Extrusion and Layering**: The extruder head moves along the X, Y, and Z axes, following the path defined by the G-code. The melted filament is extruded through a nozzle and deposited layer by layer onto the build platform. Each layer solidifies quickly, bonding with the layer beneath it.

6. **Cooling and Solidifying**: As the layers are deposited, cooling mechanisms (such as fans) help the material solidify and bond properly, ensuring the structure maintains its shape and integrity.

7. **Completion**: Once all layers are deposited, the object is complete. The finished print is allowed to cool completely before being removed from the build platform.

8. **Post-Processing**: Depending on the print quality and intended use, post-processing steps like removing support structures, sanding, painting, or further assembly might be required.

FDM printing is widely used due to its affordability, accessibility, and the broad range of materials available. It is popular for prototyping, hobby projects, and even functional parts in various industries.

 

A majority of our options will be provided in FDM prints.

Resin printing is great for the finer details. Many table top games use resin printing for their miniataures and scatter props.

Resin printing, commonly referred to as Stereolithography (SLA) or Digital Light Processing (DLP), is a 3D printing technique that uses photopolymer resins to create high-resolution objects. Here’s a detailed description of the process:

1. **Design**: The process starts with designing a 3D model using CAD software. The design is then exported as an STL file or other suitable formats for 3D printing.

2. **Slicing**: The STL file is imported into slicing software, which slices the model into thin layers and generates the necessary instructions for the 3D printer. This file contains the layer-by-layer data for curing the resin.

3. **Preparation**: The resin 3D printer is prepared by filling the resin tank with liquid photopolymer resin. The build platform is also cleaned and calibrated to ensure proper adhesion.

4. **Layer Curing**:
- **SLA (Stereolithography)**: In SLA, a UV laser selectively cures the resin, solidifying each layer as per the design. The laser moves in a pattern, drawing each layer on the surface of the resin.
- **DLP (Digital Light Processing)**: In DLP, a digital light projector screen flashes an entire image of a layer onto the resin at once, curing a whole layer in a single pass. This method tends to be faster than SLA.

5. **Layer-by-Layer Construction**: The build platform is initially submerged slightly into the resin tank. After a layer is cured, the platform moves up or down by a fraction of a millimeter (depending on the printer), and the next layer is cured. This process repeats until the entire object is built.

6. **Peeling and Recoating**: After each layer is cured, the build platform lifts slightly to peel the cured layer from the bottom of the resin tank, allowing fresh resin to flow beneath it. This ensures each new layer is formed in a smooth, even manner.

7. **Completion**: Once all layers are cured and the object is fully printed, the build platform raises, exposing the completed object.

8. **Post-Processing**: The printed object typically requires several post-processing steps:
- **Cleaning**: The object is rinsed in isopropyl alcohol or other cleaning solutions to remove uncured resin.
- **Curing**: The object is placed in a UV curing chamber or exposed to sunlight to fully harden and strengthen the resin.
- **Removing Supports**: Any support structures added during the slicing process are carefully removed.
- **Finishing**: Additional steps like sanding, painting, or coating may be performed to achieve the desired surface finish and appearance.

Resin printing is known for its high precision and ability to produce intricate details, making it popular for applications requiring fine resolution, such as jewelry, dental models, and high-detail prototypes. However, it involves more handling and post-processing compared to filament printing.