How it works
How it works
Imagine making a cake by stacking really thin pancakes on top of each other, one by one, until you get the full shape. 3D printing works in a similar way — but instead of pancakes, it uses melted plastic (or other materials), and instead of a human, it's a machine following digital instructions.
You start with a 3D design on a computer (like a digital blueprint of an object). This design gets "sliced" into lots of thin layers. The printer then squirts out melted material, layer by layer, to build the object from the bottom up — slowly turning the idea on your screen into a real, physical thing you can hold.
Basics
Limitations
3D Printing can make shapes that traditional manufacturing methods couldn’t dream of. However, there are certain things 3D printers aren’t very good at.
Time
3D printing builds things layer by layer, which takes time. Even small objects can take a few hours. Bigger or more detailed parts might take a whole day (or more).
A number of factors come into the length of a print- Size, Print speed, layer height, wall count, infill, material, material count and many more.
Size
Prints are limited to the size of the print volume (in my case 256mm^3. This is the dimensions available to the print head. My print bed is 256x256mm. This allows for reasonably sized prints as well as numerous parts being made at once.
Strength
3D prints can be very strong if designed and printed right. As with print time, a lot of factors determine the strength of a part. It is a good idea to try to avoid aligning stress axes with the layer lines.
Overhangs
3D prints sometimes require the printer to print on thin air. This is possible but the quality is substantially lower. The printer has to try and extrude molten plastic and cool it to solidify before it sags. This is tough but can be done to a certain point.
Supports can be used but use up a lot of material just to pull off
Uploading your own File
What I need from you
When you fill in the submission form, there is a section to add your own file. As long as it is a 3D file, it should be ok. If there is multiple files, be sure to name them all appropriate names so I can understand what is what.
Once I receive the files, I will get in contact and get some more information about the print- material, layer height, wall count, infill percentage, etc…
If you have no clue, I can make suggestions at your own risk.
If you require a material I don’t actively stock, I will need to purchase a reel of the filament, potentially increasing the cost and prolonging the delivery of the print.
Issues With The print
Any issues with the print after printing, or if you are unhappy with the final product, we can discuss where we can go from there. Depending on the print and the cost for replacement, it may be possible to reprint with no additional cost. I am reasonable and always open to discussion.