History of 3D Bioprinting

Why 3D Bioprinting?. In contrast, to the invention of SLA (stereolithography) in the year 1984 by ”  Chunk Charles Hull“, and due to the lack of organ donors. 3D bioprinting came into the picture, 1988 when  Doctor Robert J. Klebe presented his work Cytoscribing. Hence, a technique of micro-positioning the cells to create tissues in 2 or 3 dimensions using Inkjet printer.

As a result, a researcher from the University of Wake Forest Professor Anthony Atala followed the footsteps of Dr. Robert forged first bio-printed organ, that’s kidney in 2002.

In 2003, the first-ever 3d printing organs introduced. Due to the efforts done by Thomas Boland of Clemson University.  As a result, he got patents for using Inkjet printing for cells.

The initial findings of him, cellular structures using 3D printing known-as Bioprinting. Therefore, led to the development in the production of tissues and organ structures. So, this led to more aggressive research in the field of organ transplants.

3D Printing Bio-Inks

The on-going development in the field of 3D printing is bioprinting which is one of the main sections of the additive manufacturing world. These bio-inks are helpful for patients who require transplants. Therefore, due to the lack of donors with an increasing number of patients need a transplant. To reduce these people started a journey towards bioprinting.

As a result, every year many people wait for a perfect matched transplant of the organ. That may take too long, even some of them die waiting for the transplant. So, there is a huge demand for the organs but, chances of getting them are lower than you even imagine. That’s how the story of patients require an organ transplant. As per the information provided by the World Health Organization in 2008. The data analyzed for 104 countries, that spoke for 90% of the population worldwide. Therefore, around 100,800 people needed solid organ transplants.

In 2018, one of the Biomedicine agency of France performed analysis. That data looks like 5,781 transplants performed while 22,000 patients are still waiting.

In The Making Of 3D Bio-Inks

Hence, you might be thinking what are these 3D bio-inks? In creating these bioprinting 3D printing plays an important role. Cells and biomaterials are paired together with layer-by-layer deposition to form cellular structures that certainly should have similar properties of the human tissues. Undergoing this process may require N-number of bio-inks to conceive the original tissue structure.

Furthermore, advancement is required in this field to successfully establish a human organ. If this is succeeded then it seems like the future of the medicine is going to rock the lives of the patients. So, for this many companies, universities, laboratories, and industries have already participated in this ongoing race.

Methods Of  3D Bio-printing

Above all, there are lots of challenges that one should face while printing the organs. The biggest challenge among them is high cost and people don’t have any idea or complete knowledge of it. There are several techniques to bioprinting those people came across let’s discuss them. Due to these new emerging methods may lead us to success.

Inkjet Bio-printer

The bioprinting technology is mostly based on classic inkjet prints. Therefore, even slight alteration made to FDM 3D printers. To obtain similar prints as that of inkjet printers. In this method, the bio-ink materials are deposited layer-by-layer and there are called biotins. On a hydrogel support or a culture plate, these biotins are placed.

The technology is even classified into thermal and piezoelectric method. Both methods are based on biotins. In thermal technology, heat helps to make air bubbles. When busted that provides pressure to vomit ink drops. Likewise, piezoelectric use electric charges that rack up in solid materials. In this method, piezoelectric polycrystalline ceramic present in each nozzle, if used too many damages cell membranes. Scientists successfully progressed in printing molecules, cells & membranes using this process, even stepped in the study of cancer & its treatment.

In 2010, the company named Organovo built the first laboratory of 3D printing. Organovo collaborate & started working with Invetech developers to create the first bioprint. Organovo being the leader linger bone tissue & liver tissue printing. The company uses inkjet prints and currently working on reproducing human tissue for the liver. That will repair the damaged parts of the liver, this will extend the life of the organ till the patients get a transplant.

SLA( Stereolithography)

The process has the highest precision in manufacturing. The technology uses ultraviolet light to stiffen the photopolymers. To control the light intensity the process uses digital micromirror arrays. Moreover, the process suitable for the production of layer-by-layer hydrogels that are sensitive to light. The printing time depends on the thickness of the print.

The disadvantages of using this method are more compared to others. The technique needs development due to a lack of biocompatibility &  biodegradability of polymers. The harmful effects of toxic reagents, UV rays that may cause skin cancer, and unable to remove print medium structure.

Bioprinting By Extrusion

In this process, the biomaterial is extruded by coordinating the movement of a pressure piston or a micro-needle above a fixed support. The biomaterials used are generally solutions. We need to assemble the 3D model to complete it after the layer-by-layer extrusion. One of the advantages is that it provides room temperature treatment. The most popular bioprinters use this technique. It is the evolution of inkjet bioprinting like the EnvisionTec Bioplotter.

Laser Assistant Bioprinting

The process is distributed in 3 parts: a laser source, a plastic film of biological material and a receiver. The process uses a laser as the main source of energy to deposit biomaterial in a receptor. The illumination of film thus causes evaporation. The liquid biomaterial in the form of drops go-to receiver. The substrate contains a bio-polymer or cell culture to overcome cell adhesion. As a result, helps to develop them.

The unique advantage of laser bioprinting is the nozzle-free & contactless process. It also enables high-resolution cell printing & droplet control of biotin.

The French leader Poietis has successfully recreated hair in partnership with L’oreal. It allows precisely deposited cells in a particular geometry. Therefore French are even trying to recreate hair follicles. The solution for growing hair and alopecia problems.

Acoustic Wave Bio-printing

Uses kind of acoustic tweezers, a microfluidic system in which each cell is manipulated, and superficial acoustic waves. This process helped researchers to identify where the waves would meet. At the meeting point, waves form the knot which helps to capture individual cells. Then collected to form 2D and 3D models. The process provides high performance in terms of movement precision. The method was developed by Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, and MIT.

The technique needs development, a few months ago new application that is a functional ovary by the University of Northwest, in Illinois. Spanish researchers developed human skin. Hence, there are many more.

SWIFT Process

The abbreviation of SWIFT is Sacrificial Writing Into Functional Tissue. Process researched by Harvard Wyss Institute a new bio-printing technique. The method in which bio-impression of blood vessels on living tissue. It prints vascular channels in the living matrices composed of building blocks of organs taken from the stem cells. SWIFT is an easy process, which only focuses on printing the vessels. Those are build living tissue rather than creating an entire organ. The prints are made from the patient’s own cells. Used for therapeutic medicine to repair and replace human organs.

Problems Of 3D Bioprinting

The 3D bioprinting may cure the patients by all means, but only when there is a compatible match of the organ that needs to be transplanted. Even after, prefect compatibility if the body doesn’t support the artificial organ than what?. Still lot of research should be made on these aspects 3D bioprinting.

Another problem is speed and increase in the resolution. Higher resolution provides better interaction, compatibility, and control of 3D microenvironment. Speeding up may provide commercially available to all the needy.

The choice of the cell source is very important for bioprinting of the organs. If the choice of cell source is wrong then the entire process is in danger. So, the process needs more focus on all these aspects.

Future Of 3D Bioprinting

Bioprinting has a brighter future than any other technology. Due to its widespread applications in almost all the sectors. Now, even it is uplifting itself in the field of bioprinting. After successfully printing the heart, cornea, cartilage, bones, tissues, liver and skin.  Still, it has a long way to go. With the help of other powerful technology AI, the researches and scientists can easily identify perfect cell sources, combinations of biomaterials.

In the upcoming decade, we might see the success of the 3D bioprinting. That will be considered as the greatest advancement in the medical field with more 3D prints, and organ transplants. In turn, going to help needy patients. There is still a lot to discover by the researchers and scientists. But, this dream will be true as soon as possible.

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Past History & Developments in 3D Printing

In the early days, the 3D Printing was known-as Rapid Prototyping(RP) technology. It was product development within certain industries to create prototypes. Dr. Hideo Kodama was a Japanese Lawyer to file a patent for RP technology but due to his bad luck, it failed by some reasons. Then in the year 1984, the major advancements took place in this field by Chunk Charles Hull’s invented SLA (stereolithography) through which 3D models were created using digital data files completely built-in 1992. On the other hand, SLS (Selective laser sintering) came to the picture.

After this many of them got familiar with 3D printing. The first-ever 3D printed organ human bladder made drastic changes in this field. The RepRap(Replication Rapid-Prototyper) invented by Dr. Adrian Bowyer in 2005. It is also called as Open Source Movement. This was when 3D printing came in the limelight of the audience. The potential 3D printing was so high that it led to the launch of website Kickstarter in 2009 which is the largest creative and merchandising global crowdfunding platform.

People were curious to learn more about 3D printing technology. After its evolution in 1999-2010 incredible wanders. Technology started to step the doors of each person. People started to learn it, tried to get familiar, and created immensely great things, designs and many more.

Modernization due to 3D printing in 2019

Advances in 3D printing in the past decade were quite amazing. Let’s have a look at major trends in 3D printing one by one. In what all fields it has set the benchmark.

1. Bio-Prints

The 3D printing made fabulous innovations in the field of pharma. As you all know the first-ever 3D human organ was invented that led to further innovations. Later tremendous innovations took place in the field of medicine.

The Israeli researchers and scientists first-ever 3D printed heart on April 15, 2019. That was a miniature 3D printed heart made from human cells but the heart that can’t beat, so can’t be used for human transplantation for now. But it gave new hope that scientists might invent such a heart which can be used to save many lives.

Even 3D printed living tissues were developed with various advancements in technology. Researchers are trying to ease the 3D printing technology and develop the organs that might help in the coming future for living creatures. The tissues are successfully tested and implanted in lab animals, they are working fine. Soon success can be seen in tissues that can be implanted in humans.

Pharma field has found lots of advancements after the World’s first 3D printed drug was approved by the FDA that is Spritam. The 3D printed medication can help patients in many ways. How 3D printed medication can help?

Now, 3D printed cornea can be used for transplant without making any delay for the needy. After the invention of the world’s first human cornea in the year 2018, lots of advancements are taking place.

3D printing is also evolving in the field of dental. It has made tremendous advancements even in this field. So we can save many lives in the future through 3D printing and its innovations.

2. DIY Prosthesis

The DIY & well-customized prosthesis can help people with lost body parts such as legs, hands, arms, and even facial construction is possible using 3D printers. These also reduced the commercial cost of the prosthesis. And are now available for use by printing through normal 3D printers.

These prostheses can be customized according to the needs of the patient’s body structure. They are lighter, stronger, cheap and perfect fit. The designs that are not available in the market or produced by the medical industries.

Many volunteers are joining hands to help the needy by designing and distributing through e-Nable website that is lead by e-Nable volunteers organization. Now by seeing this even engineers and scientists joined the hands with volunteers organization from all over the world. Even there are some companies trying to make prostheses for animals or pets.

3. Musical Instruments

You can print instruments using 3D printers. One of the examples of the 3D printed instrument that made a buzz on the internet last year is the Zero 3D printed Guitar. Also, known as Worl’s first 3D printed Guitar that is eco-friendly can be made from waste.

These are even cost-effective and light in weight with stylish customizable designs. That provides a modern cool look with the best properties and sound.

4. Mass Production

For on-demand mass production and design, each and every company is heading towards 3D printing. This technology is not only helping industries in mass production but also making a profit to the companies by taking lesser time to produce the products, not much money is required, no labor cost and if, production is high then sales will be more if more sales then more profit.

So many of the companies are trying to implement 3D printing technology for mass production and design. Even some countries like the US and Australia are using 3D printers for making military products and testing the maintenance of navy vessels.

5. Progressive New Materials

As many of us can see that there are a variety of 3D printers and filaments. With these people keep experimenting and they stumble on finding something new every now and then. Many universities, companies, and the military is trying to experiment with the 3D printers. Some of the examples are US military is on a mission to innovate composite ceramic body armor using 2 different ceramic and also succeeded in producing standard armor.

Researchers at the University of Boston created a metamaterial that helps to improve the MRI scan quality and speed. There are many more such examples where 3D printing is continuously making an effort to provide better and useful new materials.

6. Shelter Homes

To build a home it takes months to years for completion. And for construction companies to build a complete apartment it may take several years.  But through 3D printing made their job easy and time-consuming. The startup company Apis Cor build a 3D printed home within 24 hours and there are many other examples.

These homes can be lighter, cost-effective, stronger, good quality and less time-consuming. With all the safety measures the house will be completed in one day. Also, these printers are movable and can be moved anywhere.

7. Aircraft and pilotless aircrafts

On YouTube, you might have seen many hobbyists have done fabulous jobs in these fields. The hobbyists create all their parts using 3D printers. So they are trying to customize them in a way they want. Due to their advancements using 3D printers even military and aircraft industries are interested and try to catch their hack of making drones and aircraft parts.

Hence, by using 3D printing the parts are lighter, stronger, efficient and with greater advancement than the traditional one. Some companies already started to work on it. If this is possible then they can create drones within a week of time. We will get well-designed, hallow in nature, and completely sealed aerospace parts in lesser time.

 8. Electronics

Many companies trying to 3D print electronics to create nano-scale electronic goods. Even these electronics should be tiny, flexible and thin. So that all the electronic goods should get cheaper and functional electronics.

Not an end, but a new beginning

The technology so far nailed itself in each and every sector. All the sectors from cars- aircraft, machines- massive production, electronics- gadgets, food-kitchen, clothing-dresses, medical-dental, and so on.

Hence, the future of 3D printing is very bright enough to outstand with other technologies. In the upcoming years, we might see 3D printed cars, hearts that might beat, aircraft, drones, gadgets, and all products. Therefore more customizable and affordable products which are not available now or we haven’t see them before.

I hope there are lots of exciting things or innovations of 3d printing gone come and we have to wait with our eyes focused. That will make our lives easier, comfortable, and affordable. This change might not be an end but can be a new beginning for good or bad. Let’s look out for further great 3D printing innovations this year.

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Can filament be recycled?

Nowadays plastic is one of the important sources required for the living, but plastics are non-biodegradable materials. Some of them might decompose after 10 t0 1000 years or may require more. So it is necessary to recycle the filaments and use it to safeguard the earth, water bodies and animals die due to ingestion and injury after intaking it.

3D printing is expensive but can be managed by recycling the filaments, using recycled filaments. Also, it reduces the cost and helps in the protection of the environment. Now let’s discuss all the methods and equipment used for recycling the filament.

To recycle the filaments mainly requires 2 things one is the Shredder and the other is Extruder. Before starting with these 2 you need to collect all the waste 3D filaments, old prints that are of no use. Therefore start recycling of these products that would result in a new spool of the 3D printer filament.

Why Shredder is required?

If the 3D printer hobbyist is more enthusiastic then shredder can built-in home or can buy ready-made that might cost around  $250. Some of the best shredder’s are  SHR3DIT  and Filabot Reclaimer. These are both compatible with all the filaments especially great with HIPS, ABS and PLA.

When the old prints or waste filament is fed into the shredder it breaks the printers into smaller pieces and then grinders it the fed to the extruder. It is a bit tricky processes for the DIYer’s.

Why Extruder is required?

After shredder completes its work extruder comes into the picture. There is any number of extruder: DIY as well as ready-made extruders that might cost around $300. The extruder heats up the filament then provides the shape that can form a spool. Some of the best extruders are Recyclebot or Lyman/Mulier Filament extruder open-source extruders, Filastruder Kit, Strooder, Filabot EX2 filament extruder, FilaFab Extruders, and  Noztek Pro. 

The Protocycler is the combination of both shredder and the extruder it also comes with computer controls that help to maintain consistency.

Some tips that might help you while recycling process

• Don’t mix out all the filaments of different compositions doing so may result in undesirable prints.
• Don’t mix filaments of different brands, they should be clean and separated before the recycling process.

Now let’s discuss the other main topic that is the storage of 3D printer filament.

How to store a 3D printer filament?

Storing a filament is a big headache because it shouldn’t catch moisture. Why storage is important?  In this case, it will become more brittle, they break down when heated up at the extrusion temperature, and makes the filament weaker. The filaments may not provide an elegant, polished, and intact look as before when they come in contact with moisture. Due to this also creates a sizzling sound while printing and clog the nozzle.

Also, filaments should be kept away from the dust so that it shouldn’t result in bad, fail in print and clog the nozzle. Here are some solutions to how to store the 3D printer filaments. I guess these might help you while printing after along time.

Storage boxes

Storage boxes with transparency appearances help to store 3D printer filaments more effectively. The filaments can be protected to overcome outside moisture. And also, transparency helps in determining which color filaments are in which box. To store the filaments it might require huge boxes so that you can at least store more than 2 filaments in a stack. The diameter and height should be more than 40cm each.

Filament Clips

The filament spools can also be stored using filament clips end tip of the filament is clipped so that it shouldn’t catch moist. There are several types of filament clips the most effective will be the one that is clipped to the edge of the filament.

Silica Gel Packets

These packets are the most suitable desiccant packets that are used to remove excess moisture from the filaments also, these can be quickly dried in the microwave and can be reused anytime. The packets are available in different sizes and for single spool around 50grams is enough, for the larger quantity it requires more.

There are color indicators present in it that help to know whether it is saturated or not if saturated than has to be recharged.

Ziplock and Vacuum Bags

Ziplock and Vacuum bags are the most effective airtight container that is cheapest and easiest to store the filaments. These bags also come with double-zipper mechanisms. That assures there will be no excess air and filaments are well protected. Within a single vacuum bag, around 4 filaments can fit.

PrintDry filament container

These are well-known to store a single filament spool and lid of it assure the box is airtight and keeps moist out of the box. A vacuum hand pump is also provided with these boxes to remove excess air and boxes can be stacked to save space.

Polymaker polybox edition 2

The hero among all the storage solutions is polybox from polymaker it can withstand at least 2 spools weighing 750gms or a 3kg  spool which also has a hygrometer that checks the moisture inside the container. The spools are mounted on the ball bearing axles and fed to the feeder with rubber coupling on the side and the top of the container. The bottom of the container consisting of 2 desiccant packets that absorb the excess moisture from the container.

The polybox is more advantageous for hygroscopic materials such as nylon or PVA because of these intakes moist quickly. The filaments should be used from inside the while printing need not take out so due to this unique property the filaments can be stored for long.

Lock & Lock container HSM952

Lock & lock containers are very similar to PrintDry solution even its lid is intact with rubber so there will be no moisture inside the box and can contain a 750gm spool with a desiccant packet. These also can be stacked for more space.

DIY filament storage

There are several DIY storage solutions that can be used for both storing and to print directly from the container. These can be modified using any equipment or features you require at that point. But don’t forget to install the spool holding and a coupling for a Bowden Tube. Also, make sure that the containers are huge enough and coupling is airtight to keep the spool safe when not printing.

Filament dust filter

The nozzle should also be cared for, not only for the filament. But it may also catch dirt and dust due to which clog may occur while printing. The dust filter is placed between the spool and the feeder to remove the dust that is also clipped on to the filament. The dust filter needs to be printed and put 2 small pieces of sponge on both sides of the dust filter.

Dehumidifiers

A dehumidifier has the name that prevents the humidity. These should be renewed once in every month after the indication. How to renew the dehumidifier? It’s a very simple and easy process it just needs to plug to the power outlet. Therefore, when the silica gel beads change the color. Eva Dry E-333 is the best example of the dehumidifier.

Oven-Drying

The king of the kitchen oven can also be used as the solution for the filament drying. There is one important thing that is when to oven-dry the filament that depends on the Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) of the material. This is the temperature when the filament changes from hard, glassy nature to soft and rubbery material. For example, PLA has a Tg of 60 degrees Celius. If the Tg is greater or higher than 80 it should be kept for an hour at 60-70 degrees, less than 80 than about 30-40 is fine.

I hope the guide to 3D printer filament was helpful and informative. If there is anything you want to know, do comment in the section. If it’s related to 3D printing and stuff I will surely write a blog on it.

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Flexible filaments

As the name indicates these more flexible than any other filaments. Due to flexibility these are soft and can be molded into any shape and size with ease.

Pro Series Flex

The filament is the one among TPE which is popular for its elasticity and flexibility and behaves like a real rubber which can bend and mold in any shape and size easily. Therefore, these are made of tightest tolerance with high precision for3D printing. The filament can be best experienced with slower print speeds to avoid filament binding in the extruder.
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 Advantages/properties

• The filament is like a soft rubber making it more flexible and elastic than the popular PLA and ABS filaments
• The filament is good for high-quality objects with large objects because it bonds well between layers
• The heated bed is not needed and it is a durable material with little shrinkage while cooling.

Disadvantages/Issues 

• The printer should be modified otherwise can extrude from the nozzle inconsistency due to its flexible property.
• Hence, needs experienced hands for printing the filament is not for beginners
• For optimal performance the printer nozzle needs fine-tuning.

Applications

• Stoppers, belts, caps, phone cases, bumpers and more can be made from this filament due to its 2 important properties.
• The filament can be used in various fields due to its flexible nature i.e., home appliances, automotive, medical, electrical insulation, weather seals for windows and doors, Kid’s toys and wearable’s and soles of the footwear.

Price Starting from : $30 to $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 230 °C.

TPE

This filament is well-know for its flexibility and elasticity. Also helpful in the making of extremely flexible 3D printer material that will have the properties of soft rubber. As the name the Thermoplastic elastomers the filament is superbly flexible and elastic. The less infill you use, the more flexible your finished print will be.
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 Advantages/properties

• Great to use with most of the FDM filaments.
• The filament is like a soft rubber making it more flexible and elastic than the popular PLA and ABS filaments,
• Good for high-quality objects(bonds well between layers).
• The heated bed is not needed.
• Hence, it is a durable material with little shrinkage while cooling.

Disadvantages/Issues

• The printer should be modified otherwise can extrude from the nozzle inconsistency due to its flexible property.
• Hence, needs experienced hands for printing the filament is not for beginners
• For optimal performance the printer nozzle needs fine-tuning.

Applications

• Stoppers, belts, caps, phone cases, bumpers and more can be made from this filament due to its 2 important properties.
• The filament can be used in various fields due to its flexible nature i.e., home appliances, automotive, medical, electrical insulation, weather seals for windows and doors, Kid’s toys and wearable’s and soles of the footwear.

Price Starting from : $30 to $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 225 to 235 °C.

PCTPE

Plasticized Copolyamide TPE is the combination of synthetic polymer Nylon and flexible filament TPE. Due to the mixture of these 2 filaments the properties and settings are almost the same. Synthetic fabrics are used to dye your prints of any color.

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 Advantages/properties

• Nylon makes it easy to print.
• Flexible like TPE and can be dyed into any color due to Nylon.
• Can work better in critical setup
• Low shrinkage

Disadvantages/Issues

• The filament needs to be dyed in various colors that require an extra step, consumes more time and highly expensive.
• Difficult to print needs experienced hands.
• While printing may lead to blobs and stringing
• Not good with Bowden extruders
• Poor bridging characteristics

Applications

• The main applications are, helps in printing cosplay armor, phone enclosures, and industrial parts.

Price Starting from : $30 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 235 to 245 °C.

Soft PLA

The Soft PLA has similar characteristics as that of normal PLA with one unique property that is flexible like rubber. Due to this it is also, called “Flexible PLA“. Hence, it is compatible with all the 3D printers.
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Advantages/properties

• Soft PLA is flexible, rubbery, elastic and has impact resistance.
• Hence, it acts like a biodegradable PLA due to its low carbon footprints.
• Therefore, it has good vibration dampening characteristics.

Disadvantages/Issues

• It creates clogging, bubbling, and bunching in the nozzle while printing.
• Can’t shape in the desired form due to extremely adhesive nature.
• Hence, need to slow down the printing speed for best results
• A direct extruder is required for the smooth journey of the filament to the bed.
• Not good for objects with more gaps and overhangs.

Applications

• Best for stoppers, belts, caps, phone cases, bumpers and more.
• Unique ergonomic nature helps in printing pen grips, shoe sole inserts.
• The materials which need to be strong such has tires, cell phone covers, and other things with flexible in nature.

Price Starting from : $30 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 230°C.

TPU

Thermoplastic Polyurethane is the filament that belongs to the class of polyurethane that has unique properties namely elasticity, transparency, and resistance to grease, oil, and abrasion with a shore hardness of 95A. There are various types of TPU namely polyester TPU used to resist oil and hydrocarbons, polyether TPU used in wet environments, and polycaprolactone TPU performs with low-temperature and comparatively more resistant to hydrolysis.
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Advantages/properties

• Resistant to oil, grease, and abrasion.
• Printed parts have low-temperature resistants
• Ease to work
• With the right settings, there will be no curling or delamination.
• Excellent layer to layer adhesion.
• No warping issues.

Disadvantages/Issues

• It creates clogging, bubbling, and bunching in the nozzle while printing.
• A well-polished and smooth look can’t be obtained.
• We need to slow down the printing speed for the results.
• Hence, it doesn’t dissolve in simple chemicals.

Applications

• Best for stoppers, belts, caps, phone cases, bumpers and more.
• Used in automotive instrument panels, caster wheels, power tools, sporting goods, medical devices, drive belts, footwear, inflatable rafts, and a variety of extruded film, sheet, and profile applications.
• The materials which need to be strong such has cell phone covers and other things with flexible in nature.
• Therefore, it helps in the outer casing of antennas for efficient performance even after many wash cycles.

Price Starting from : $30 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 250°C.

Composite filaments

These are the filaments made up of 2 or more individual components whose combined physical strength exceeds their individual properties as per the name.

Laybrick

Lay-Brick is the 3D material that almost as similar features as LAYWOOD-D3,  Kai Parthy is the inventor of these 2 filaments which are quite amazing, the filament is rough apart from that gives a look and feel of grey stone retaining the flexibility and elasticity of the plastic. The filament should be used with maxi-sized 3D printers. Therefore, it gives the ” Non-plastic look“. The temperature above 210°C the filament produces rough and sandstone result otherwise it will produce a smoother finish.
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Advantages/properties

• The filament is stiff and brittle in nature
• Gives sandstone look rather than plastic
• No warping
• No heated bed required
• Get a different variety of textures depending on the extruder temperature.

Disadvantages/Issues

• Temperature above 210 makes the print rough.

Applications

• Best for landscape and architectural designs.
• Fux-stone, model train scenery can be printed with this filament.

Price Starting from : $40 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 165 to 190°C.

Wooden PLA

The wood filament is a fusion of standard PLA and finely powered wood materials that provide the print with the natural texture of wood. The mixture may contain bamboo, cork, wood dust, and other wooden by-products,  come in the ratio of 70:30 of PLA and wood. Therefore, best used with desktop 3D printers that provide the wooden-like finish. They are various types of wood filaments namely LAYWOO-D3, ColorFabb’s Woodfill series, and Timberfill.
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Advantages/properties

• The natural look of wood and a biodegradable filament
• Similar PLA properties
• Different extruder temperature provide different colors, hotter the darker
• No warp and shrink
• Less abrasive compared to other composite filaments.
• Therefore, as pleasant wood-like smell.

Disadvantages/Issues

• Less strength than natural wood.
• Hence, it is inflexible and brittle makes PLA better filament
• Easily breakable material
• There should not be any sharp turns while working with the filament.

Applications

• Best for landscape and architectural designs.
• Fux-stone, model train scenery can be printed with this filament.
• Wood burns when exposed to high temperature
• Filaments are more expensive than PLA
• Use large-sized nozzles to reduce wear and tear.

Price Starting from : $25 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 250°C.

Conductive filament

The filament is modified PLA with a conductive carbon particulate with low voltage and low current circuitry not being that technical. The filament helps in making smaller circuit boards on the printer bed. These filaments may consist of sensors and some LEDs( Light-emitting diode). The filament is present for both PLA and ABS users. As the name, it has a conductive nature. Hence, works well with all the 3D printers.

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Advantages/properties

• More flexible than the PLA
• Conductive in nature with small power circuitry.
• No heated bed is required but gives better results with it.

Disadvantages/Issues

• As less layer adhesion
• The filament is more expensive
• Less flexible and durable compared to PLA
• Repeated binding may break the material and shrinks during cooling.

Applications

• Most of its applications may come in the field of electronics i.e., small circuit boards.
• Best for functional prototypes, integrated circuits and electronic components like sensors, LED, and low voltage projects
• Best for Arduino projects.

Price Starting from : $17.99 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 215 to 230°C.

Lay ceramic

As the name gives ceramic or clay finish to the print. The filament has similar properties that of the natural clay when burned and glazed provides strength and gives the elegant look to the object. While using this filament requires extra settings or additional upgrades to the printer for a better print.

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Advantages/properties

• The filament is durable and brittle in its nature
• Can be fired in the kiln to get that ceramic look and can apply glaze
• The Kiln can take the filament to make more amazing objects

Disadvantages/Issues

• Takes more time to heat and cool
• The printed objects are hard in nature
• More expensive

Applications

• Therefore, best used for making mugs, flower pots, model roofing tiles, ashtrays, sculptures, or pottery.

Price Starting from : $200 for 3.mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 265 to 275°C.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA

As the name, the filament is a mixture of PLA and small carbon fiber strands, designed to fit through the nozzle easily. The carbon contained in the filament provides more rigidity and enhances the structural support to the object to be printed. The 3D printer user who requires stiff and rocky like nature of the objects can use this filament. Drone builders and RC Hobbyists may fall in love with this filament.

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Advantages/properties

• No warp and excellent layer adhesion property
• Provides better print quality and no heated bed is required
• High strength, durable, ductile and stiff
• Little string during the cooling process

Disadvantages/Issues

• Not flexible in nature
• Contains abrasive strands
• Wear and tear of printer nozzles more with brass
• Requires investment in a printer nozzle

Applications

• Drone bodies, propellers, and RC car frames can be made with great ease.
• Frames, supports, and tools can also be made,
• Various materials like protective casing, mechanical parts, and highly durable objects can be formed.

Price Starting from : $60 for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 190 to 230°C.

ColorFabb BrassFill, CopperFill, and BronzeFill

The filament is metal combined with PLA gives absolutely the metal finish look. Therefore, these are tougher to print than MH build PLA filaments, due to metal integrated with plastic prints are heavier but are more authentic in nature. The objects printed can be polished, painted, and sanded that gives a beautiful, unique and elegant look even unpolished objects are classy, matte, with a dull appearance and dusky look amaze people. Therefore, what’s in your mind that can be a desired outcome when polished. The temperature can reach to 14oo °C or above.

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Advantages/properties

• An aesthetically appealing metal finish.
• Therefore, no heated bed is required.
• Heavier than other filaments due to its metallic nature.
• High durable and strength
• Hence, no, shrink while cooling

Disadvantages/Issues

• Expensive filament
• Therefore, require a wear-resistant nozzle
• Printed parts are very brittle in nature.
• Very poor overhangs and bridging property.
• Over-time partial clogging can be seen.
• Heavy objects when printed with it.
• To obtain a smooth finish need to rock tumbling, polishing, or wet sanding needs to be done.

Applications

• Used for cosmetic prints of busts, jewelry, or sculptures.
• Perfect for printing props, costumes, figurines, and robots.
• The filament can also be used by designers as well other than hobbyists looking to make faux metal prints.
• Replicas for Museums
• Best for hardware products.

Price Starting from : $25 to 50 for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 190 to 220°C.

Proto-Pasta Stainless Steel and ColorFabb SteelFill

The filament is a mixture of the steel strands and PLA, thus these are tougher than the MH build filament. Even these can be sanded and painted to get a better look like the above filaments even with an unpolished look the prints get the cast metal from the mold. Therefore, it has high abrasion to brass nozzle you will need to install a hardened steel nozzle before printing. They print like PLA but slower than PLA.

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Advantages/properties

• An aesthetically appealing steel finish.
• Therefore, no heated bed is required.
• Heavier than other filaments due to its metallic nature.
• High durable and strength
• Hence, no, shrink while cooling

Disadvantages/Issues

• Expensive filament
• Printed parts are very brittle in nature.
• Very poor overhangs and bridging property.
• Over-time partial clogging can be seen.
• Heavy objects when printed with it.
• To obtain a smooth finish need to rock tumbling, polishing, or wet sanding needs to be done.
• Not easy to print with for the inexperienced

Applications

• Used for cosmetic prints of busts, jewelry, or sculptures.
• Perfect for printing props, costumes, figurines, and robots.
• The filament can also be used by designers as well other than hobbyists looking to make faux metal prints.
• Replicas for Museums

Price Starting from : $25 to 50 for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 200 to 220°C.

Magnetic Iron PLA

As the name, it has all the magnetic properties as that of the magnet. The filament is a mixture of standard filaments and iron powered due to which magnetics stick to the filament and provide a dusty and gunmetal look to the printed objects. The temperature needs to be 10-20 degrees lesser than what is required for the MH build PLA filament. To get a rusty look you need to spray several times the mixture of hydrogen peroxide of 16oz, the vinegar of 20oz and 1Tbs of salt let it dry and you will get the desired look.

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Advantages/properties

• It provides a rusty and worn look to any print.
• Therefore, no, shrink while cooling
• Extremely durable and has great strength
• The filament is not soluble in nature.
• Hard and heavy prints can be achieved.

Disadvantages/Issues

• Expensive filament
• Due to high abrasion needs to install hardened steel nozzle.
• Heavy objects when printed with it.
• To obtain a smooth finish need to rock tumbling, polishing, or wet sanding needs to be done.
• Hence, not easy to print with it for inexperienced

Applications

• Used for cosmetic prints of busts, accessories, or aged-metal props.
• Therefore, best used for various DIY projects, sensors, and educational tools, etc.
• Home uses it is just like a novelty material.

Price Starting from : $70 for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 195 to 220°C.

PORO-LAY Series

The filament is made from a rubber-elastomeric polymer and a PVA-component. Therefore, there are various types of filaments namely Lay-Felt, Gel-Lay, and Lay-Fomm 40 and 60. These filaments can be characterized as highly porous and flexible filaments.

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Advantages/properties

• These filaments are highly flexible and porous in nature
• Also, have a sponge, jelly, foamy and soft in nature.
• When soaked in water dissolves PVA material and left with the rubber-elastomer.
• Unique and experimental uses.
• Lightweight objects even they are large in size.

Disadvantages/Issues

• Printed objects will be soft and sponge in nature.
• Not used for hard and stiff prints
• Hardware components can not be printed
• Expensive filament.

Applications

• Therefore, best used in filters, permeable membranes, jellyfish models, stamps, or intricate sponges depending on the material.
• Can be used in making of artificial paper and future cloths
• Used for the rubber-like, sponge in nature applications such as ink-reservoirs, bio-cells, micro-foam, and elastics.
• Also used for tissue and orientated objects making.

Price Starting from : $160 for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 230°C.

Specialty filaments

Like the name, these are special kinds of filaments. Now let’s look at the various types of specialty filaments and their special features.

Polycarbonate(PC)

The filament is more strong, impact and highly resistant in nature. Polycarbonate is a tough and highly durable thermoplastic.

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Advantages/properties

• Hence, very resistant to any temperature
• It is flexible and can bend without crack
• Transparent in nature
• No soluble

Disadvantages/Issues

• Should store in a dry place
• Above all not for food components
• Expensive than standard filaments.

Applications

• Most commonly used in RC parts or drone parts.
• Therefore, it can be used in applications related to electrical, mechanical, or automotive components.
• Due to its optical clarity can be used in lighting projects or for screens.

Price Starting from : $120  for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 210 to 290°C.

Bendlay

The filament as exciting new features and that is extremely translucent and flexible in nature. Hence, 91% of light passes through the filament. Therefore, it is also flexible and elastic. The other modified version of it is Butadiene.

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Advantages/properties

• Flexible, transparent and provides strength to the material.
• Absorbs less water compared to ABS
• Food safe
• High interlayer adhesion
• Less warping
• Unbreakable and easy to print

Disadvantages/Issues

• Acetone will make it crushy.
• Suffer from whitening when bend.
• Harder than ABS

Applications

• Best used in food packing and food industry.
• Best used ornate cups, containers, or translucent objects.
• Therefore, it can also be used in medical devices.
• Hence, it can be used in the making of containers and utensils.

Price Starting from : $100  for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 225 to 245°C.

Moldlay

As the name, it is mainly used for molding which as wax-like properties. The filament is stiff and rigid at the room temperature when heated with 170 10 180 degrees starts to extrude. The prints can be made not only for permanent mold but also for lost wax molding purposes. Therefore print takes the long process usually in the traditional form but thanks to Moldlay it consumes time.

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Advantages/properties

• No warping
• No heated bed required
• Easy to print
• Inexpensive to print the objects

Disadvantages/Issues

• Softer than any other filament
• Feed gear may not work
• Melted wax is runny in nature so won’t deposit correctly

Applications

• Therefore, it can be used for molding purpose
• Designed for silicone molding or completely vaporizing for investment casting.

Price Starting from : $80  for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 175 to 195°C.

Continuous Fiber 

Continuous fiber filaments are designed for the ready to use products other than most 3D printing materials are meant for rapid prototyping and testing models.

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Advantages/properties

• Strong, durable and ready to take abuse.
• When comes in contact with a strong base filament like Nylon with Continuous fiber provide a professional and beautiful finish

Applications

• Best used for production parts, drone bodies, or even manufacturing molds.

Price Starting from : $50 to $100  for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 245 to 265°C.

Support filaments

These filaments are water-soluble and also act as support filaments with other filaments while using dual extruders. Support filaments are necessary to obtain the best prints or prefect without any overhangs.

PVA filament

The filament is a well-known support material when printing with ABS or PLA filament. The full name of PVA filament is Polyvinyl Alcohol. The filament is transparent with slightly yellow in color and most often used with dual extrusion printers one with the primary material and on the other hand, this dissolve filament provides support to avoid overhangs.

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Advantages/properties

• Acts as a support material
• Biodegradable, durable and non-toxic
• Water-soluble
• Best with PLA due to similar heating temperatures
• Difficult printing makes easy

Disadvantages/Issues

• Dissolves in water easily
• Should be kept in a dry place
• Expensive material than other filaments.

Applications

• Best used for models with internal supports or supports for incredibly detailed models with many overhangs.
• It can be used in thickener in paper adhesives, in personal hygiene products, as a mold-release agent, kid’s putty, and freshwater fishing products.

Price Starting from : $80  for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 190 to 220°C.

HIPS

High Impact Polystyrene is similar to ABS and best support material. It is bright, white and biodegradable in nature. It also acts as secondary as that of PVA and liquid hydrocarbon dissolves the filament as soon as possible. The filament is well dissolved in limonene.

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Advantages/properties

• Acts as a support material
• Biodegradable, durable and non-toxic
• Best with ABS

Disadvantages/Issues

• A heated bed is required without it difficult to print.
• Common issue while printing is curling and adhesion.

Applications

• Used for models with internal supports or supports for models with many overhangs.
• The food industry uses for packing, medicinal trays, signs, all kinds of kid’s toys, and much more.
• The filament can be manipulated in many ways as required.

Price Starting from : $25  for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 250°C.

LAYaPVA

The filament is a support material that quickly dissolves in water. And as best viscosity when heated at a temperature of 230-degrees. Of the LAY-AWAY Support Series, LAYaPVA dissolves the fastest.

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Advantages/properties

• Therefore, it is stiff and water-soluble
• Act as support material
• Dissolves quicker than normal PVA

Disadvantages/Issues

• Dissolves in water easily
• Should be kept in a dry place
• Expensive material than other filaments

Applications

• Therefore, best used for models with internal supports or supports for incredibly detailed models with many overhangs.

Price Starting from : $160 for 1.75mm/1kg

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 250°C.

LAY-CLOUD

Hence, the best support material for flexible filaments and when overexposed to water it becomes gelly and soft. Therefore, when heated with a 240-degree temperature to achieve the best viscosity.

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Advantages/properties

• The filament is stiff and water-soluble
• Therefore, act as the best support material for flexible filaments.

Disadvantages/Issues

• Hence, dissolves in water easily
• Should be kept in a dry place
• Therefore, expensive material than other filaments

Applications

• Therefore, best used for models with internal supports or supports for incredibly detailed models with many overhangs.

This guide to 3D Printing is about the remaining filaments which were left in the previous guide. Hence, it is all about the guide to 3D printer filaments. There is one more upcoming part of this that will help you choose better.

Importance of 3d printer filament

Hence, when it comes to a 3D printer, filament plays the main character as a thread in sewing the clothes. Therefore, filament acts as a thread along with 3D printers to build real-world objects. So it becomes very important to know what is it made of, what different types of filaments, what its cost, what are its benefits or applications, its advantages, and disadvantages, which is the best 3D printer filament, where to store a filament and, can filament be recycled let’s go on a tour of all these topics one by one in this guide.

Hence, you can now wisely choose which is the better filament for your 3D printer after understanding all the above-mentioned points related to the 3D printer filament so that you can enjoy printing what you want to print without any issues.

Do you know what is 3D filament made of?

3D filament acts as ink to the 3D printer so now let’s take a look at how it’s made. The filament is made up of plastic that undergoes 3 processes namely heating, extruding, and cooling plastic to form several nurdles. The filaments are usually made of thermoplastics that have different melting point properties when needed to print.

The diameter of the filament depends on the pull rather than the push through the nozzle after the plastic has been heated up. The diameter does not take the diameter of the extruder nozzle. And even the width is the same process as that of the diameter. Most all the filaments are 1.75 mm or 3mm in diameter.

The filaments come in a variety of colors and with different properties. But the plastic nurdles are always white and clear to produce various colors of filaments and with unique properties, several pigments or additives are added while melting the plastic.

List of 3D printer filaments

In this, I’m gone discuss the different types of 3D printer filaments. The filaments are differentiated into 5 types based on their properties. Namely standard, flexible, composite, specialty, and, support filament. When you get a 3D printer to home the first question that arises to mind is which filament to buy. so let’s discuss them one by one.

Standard Filament:

As the name standard filament, t is the most commonly used filament. All 3D printers are mainly capable of using these filaments which the 2 famous filaments are PLA and ABS filaments. Now let’s go through all the standard filaments.

PLA ( Polylactic Acid): It is one of the most commonly used filaments for most desktop 3D printers. And popular among Professionals and amateurs. It is also famous as an “Eco-friendly 3D printer filament” because it is made of organic renewable resources like cornstarch and sugarcane which do not produce pollution or contribute to global warming. Glow-in-dark colors and translucency are the special features/effects of this 3D printer material.

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Advantages/Properties

• PLA doesn’t require a heating bed, doesn’t have a contagious smell, and due to its pleasant nature, many of them prefer it.
• On the other hand, it is easier and safer than any other printer.
• It is faster than any other printer with less wrap so it is best for beginners.

Disadvantages/issues

• ABS is stronger or solid than PLA
• The filament is more difficult to print when it comes in contact with moisture
• Inclined to clogging the printer nozzle.

Applications

• PLA filaments are mostly used in the field of Medicine for various surgical implants including pins, rods, screws, and mesh as they all break down in the human body.
• Also best used for cosmetic prints, prototypes, desk toys, and low-stress applications.
• Another few examples are where PLA is used in food packaging, disposable tableware, and diapers.

Price Starting from : $19.98 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 180 to 230 °C.

ABS(Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene): ABS is another most popular 3D printer material. Due to its high melting point, it becomes soft when melted so that it can take any shape and gets cooled quickly becoming more stiff, ductile, and tough to break.
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Advantages/Properties

• Easy material to work due to it’s easy to extrude from the printer’s nozzle
• Most flexible, lightweight, stiff, ductile, durable, and strong nature makes it preferable than any other printer with wear resistance and heat tolerance.
• Nontoxic, water-resistance, and cheapest among all the 3D filaments.
• Post-processed with acetone to provide a glossy look.

Disadvantages/issues

• ABS is a non-renewable resource made of petroleum
• When heated up produces an unpleasant odor
• Requires high heated bed to print the material
• It requires ventilation because of its awful chemical odor.
• UV radiations break down ABS which loses its color and becomes brittle after long-term use in an outdoor environment
• ABS is not good for home users.

Applications

• ABS can be used in various fields such as automotive parts, moving parts, musical instruments, kitchen appliances, electronic housings, and various toys, like LEGO.
• ABS to make plastic wrap, water bottles, and cups are some other applications

Price Starting from $22.9  for a 1.75mm/1kg spool

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Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 210 to 250 °C.

PRO Series PLA: The filament is the formulation of PLA for better and high-quality finished 3D printed products for professional use. These PLA are produced with more precise specifications and a tolerance of  ± 0.05mm. It has all the similar properties of PLA.

Advantages/Properties

•  A visually distinct finish and a more vibrant, opaque color than PLA filament.
• PLA doesn’t require a heating bed, doesn’t have a contagious smell, and due to its pleasant nature, many of them prefer it.
• On the other hand, it is easier and safer than any other printer.
• It is faster than any other printer with less wrap so it is best for beginners.

Disadvantages/issues

• ABS is stronger or solid than PLA
• The filament is more difficult to print when it comes in contact with moisture
• Inclined to clogging the printer nozzle.

Applications

• PLA filaments are mostly used in the field of Medicine for various surgical implants including pins, rods, screws, and mesh as they all break down in the human body.
• Also best used for cosmetic prints, prototypes, desk toys, and low-stress applications.
• Another few examples are where PLA is used in food packaging, disposable tableware, and diapers.

Price Starting from : $19.98 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 180 to 230 °C.

PRO Series ABS: The filament is the formulation of the ABS for the more beautiful, glossy, and, opaque finish with high-quality, precision 3D printed products. These ABS are produced with more precise specifications and a tolerance of  ± 0.05mm. It has all the similar properties of  ABS.

Advantages/Properties

• Easy material to work due to it’s easy to extrude from the printer’s nozzle
• The most flexible, lightweight, stiff, ductile, durable, and strong nature makes it preferable than any other printer with wear resistance and heat tolerance.
• Nontoxic, water-resistance, and cheapest among all the 3D filaments.
• Post-processed with acetone to provide a glossy look.

Disadvantages/issues

• ABS is a non-renewable resource made of petroleum
• Therefore, when heated up produces an unpleasant odor
• Requires high heated bed to print the material
• It requires ventilation because of its awful chemical odor.
• UV radiations break down ABS which loses its color and becomes brittle after long-term use in an outdoor environment
• ABS is not good for home users.

Applications

• Hence, ABS can be used in various fields such as automotive parts, moving parts, musical instruments, kitchen appliances, electronic housings, and various toys, like LEGO.
• ABS to make plastic wrap, water bottles, and cups are some other applications

Price Starting from $22.9  for a 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 210 to 250 °C.

Tough PLA:  The filament is stronger than the normal PLA with heat resistance up to 60°C.  Therefore, ABS comes with its problems of overhangs, wrapping, and interlayer adhesion but this filament is slightly modified from the normal PLA and ABS which makes it the best for large printers. It still supports all the printers and also provides full geometric freedom while designing.

Advantages/Properties

• The tough and impact strength of its similar to ABS making it a much better filament for practical printing purposes.
• Ease of printing and reliable nature make it better for larger volume printing.
• Combining it with PVA is more beneficial and gives more complex curves, internal details, and harsh overhangs 3D print beautifully.

Disadvantages/issues

• The filament is more difficult to print when it comes in contact with moisture
• Inclined to clogging the printer nozzle.

Applications

• Used to produce strong plastic parts, large models, and complex geometries.

Price Starting from : $19.98 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 210 t0 230°C.

ColorFabb nGen: The filament doesn’t require to refine print settings again and again so you can print once you set up the printer for a long time without any disturbance so it is good for beginners. Gives a frosty and crisp look when printed with it.

Advantages/Properties

• Print materials with a wide range of temperatures and speeds you can spend more time printing rather than refining its settings.
• Due to its high heat resistance flows nicely into the nozzle and doesn’t clog often.
• Best printed on a heated bed and has less wrapping due to similar adhesion.
• Good interlayer adhesion and low odor while printing.

Disadvantages/issues

• More expensive than any other filament
• The brittle nature makes printed materials easily breakable.
• Hairy prints, pillowing, and filament seeping/oozing may occur during printing

Applications

• Best for printing durable parts avoiding print failure.
• Mind-boggling ability to print parts with many bridges successfully where other 3D printer materials have failed.

Price Starting from : $30.00 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 220 to 240°C.

Glow-In-The-Dark: As the name says Glow-in-the-dark glows in the dark like a twinkling of stars at night in the sky. Therefore, it requires normal settings as that of PLA and ABS. The material printed out of it glows to the brightest when it is dark and emits all the vibrant colors in which it is printed. For more glow add more perimeters to your prints. These filaments are found in three categories of filament PLA, ABS, and TPU.

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Advantages/Properties

• Properties are similar to normal PLA don’t require a heated bed, eco-friendly, easy to use, renewable, safe to use, and durable.
• During the cooling process has low shrinkage.

Disadvantages/issues

• Not safe for food products
• It is abrasive and has frayed out the nozzle for this you can install a hardened steel nozzle.

Applications

• Mainly used to produce children’s room decor products and ceiling stars.
• Used for light cover switches and novelty decoration products
• For Halloween themes, it is the best filament.
• Best friend for artistic people.

Price Starting from : $18.00 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 180 to 240°C.

Nylon (polyamide): This is a synthetic polymer that especially has unique features compared to PLA and ABS, it is undoubtedly stronger, impact, durable, and versatile than the popular filaments. There are various kinds of nylon filaments explained below.

Advantages/Properties

• Flexible, strong, impact, and durable
• 100% thermoplastic in nature
• Less brittle than ABS and PLA
• Products can be moved for sale after printing without sanding, polishing, scraping, or pesky acetone vapor baths.
• Easily colored/dyed

Disadvantages/issues

• Nylon should be preserved in a dry area free from moisture because it is very sensitive.
• At the start, the filament may wrap while printing.
• Printed parts are less precise due to shrinking while cooling
• Max lifetime of 12 months of nylon of various brands

Applications

• High interlayer adhesion makes it perfect for living hinges and other functionally strong parts.
•  Also ready to print tough functional parts, wear parts, and production-ready prints.
• Hence, well-suited for various consumer products, tools, mechanical components, machine parts, structural parts, containers, and much more.

Price Starting from: $40.00 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 210 t0 250°C.

NylonX: Polyamide with chopped carbon strands this filament comes out with amazing properties which are better than the normal Nylon filament. In addition, its matte finish look provides the most elegant look and standardizes the richness of the products.

Advantages/Properties

• Nylon combined with micro-particles of carbon makes the filament stiffer, impact resistance, and high strength.
• As for stability and rigidity, the products are much more likely to wrap compared to ordinary nylon.
• Eliminates the post-print processing.
• Strong like carbon and durable like nylon.
• Products can be moved for sale after printing without sanding, polishing, scraping, or pesky acetone vapor baths.
• Easily colored/dyed

Disadvantages/issues

• NylonX should be preserved in a dry area free from moisture because it is very sensitive.
• At the start, the filament may wrap while printing.
• Printed parts are less precise due to shrinking while cooling
• Max lifetime of 12 months of nylon of various brands

Applications

• An engineering-graded filament that gives you the durability of nylon and stiffness of carbon is always ready for home products 3D printing and also ready to print tough functional parts, wear parts, and production-ready prints.

Price Starting from: $39.99 t0 $ 50 for 1.75mm/1kg spool

Extrusion Temperature: Vary between 210 t0 260°C.

I hope this guide to 3D printing filaments part I might help you to choose the filaments. This is not the end there are other parts coming up in the future.

• Require a lesser number of components
• Production of required components may be stopped
• Takes lots of time
• Traditional methods are costly when comes to produce a lesser number of components
• Can’t provide the rail operator with latest technology parts
• Lesser number of labor can cut the production cost to around 50%

Benefits of 3D printing for UK rail department

Deutsche Bahn Consultancy and Engineering service provider, Angel trains British rolling stock operating company, Stratasys is an American 3D printer manufacturer and lastly Chiltern Railways British train operating company their collaboration was first announced in December 2018 to produce 3D printed replacement parts for trains. As a result, UK has already announced becoming a world leader in the additive manufacturing sector by 2025.

Therefore, UK government has taken a step ahead by collaborating with these companies to manufacture passenger trains. The components such as armrests and grab handles using additive manufacturing 3D printing techniques. Hence, the company is looking for other applications, researching 3D printed seat tables and custom braille lettering  abnormal passenger’s

3D printing technology is well utilized in Rail companies for customization.  The 3D printed passenger train components are running successfully with seven grab handles that were produced within a 2 an half months and cutting the cost down from  £15,000.  Hence, the cost saving of 50% per part will be achievable.

The testing of other applications and research is carried out in 3D printed rail components. So, to provide a better journey for rail passenger’s in the future.

Make the best of Geeetech A10 3D printer only @ Geeetech official site

Let’s know what these misconceptions are:

3D Printers are too expensive

This depends on what you intend to do in the 3D printing industry. If you want to grow a business around it than investment is worth. Yes, there are a lot of high priced printers, but that involves what you determine to print, the size of the object, which type of filament will be used, the speed of the printer, various features etc.

You need to collect proper information about the printer and what you aim at printing. Thus a plan is required and then the budget summary if you want to buy a printer. There are 3D Printers which cost less than the price of a laptop like Geeetech  E180 Mini wifi 3D printer just at $298.

The E180 lets your children print large sized models by breaking them down into chunks. You can’t print the important machine parts but surely as hobbyists, you can find printers with a varied range of price.

3D Printing is Magic

No No No!!! 3D printing surely isn’t any magic, it’s just additive manufacturing. When you start printing with one of the printers you will feel as if you are in first-year class in the Hogwarts school basically in the potions class. It is learning that matters. Knowing your printer well and the filaments it supports, what settings will work better, how to adjust speed and other software settings etc.

Know that patience is the key to 3D Printing because sometimes the prints will come really easy and perfect and sometimes you will face the problems of warping, stringing and lot more. You can read and know more about the troubleshooting issues on our Geeetech blog.

Failures at 3D printing do not mean that you are not good at it, even the experienced people end up with failed prints, and the causes range from damp filament to a not-sticky-enough build surface to a tiny flaw in the model to a printer that’s just being really, really crabby for no good reason.Some printers do give a smooth print and no post-processing is required but certain objects do require to work on after the build comes off the platform.

It can Print Perfect Pizza!!! 

3D printing is over exaggerated as to anything and impossible things can be 3D printed. Surely you cannot 3D print a Pizza which is perfect as the one we get in Dominos, but there are companies like BeeHex, who are hardworking to print a perfect pizza.

While making the pizza they can’t 3D print the vegetables and meat, the soft base could be 3D printed and as heard it is pretty delicious too. They use these Food printers to make candy that shapes like your face, or potato chips etc. 3D Food printing can take over the industry in the future and its gonna become a serious business.

Bonus: It’s like Star Trek

The “Replicators” from Star Trek are probably hard to develop and thus 3D printing is misconceived by many users. Though 3D printing is the future, there cannot be objects produced by pure energy and thin air as in Star Trek.

3D printers are large they require large filaments and manufacturing materials to print out an object and so need space. We also won’t 3D print a working phone, laser pistol or TV remote, because printers can’t (at least yet) use conductive materials to manufacture cables and electronics.

3D printing will take over Manufacturing

That’s not true, you cannot possibly print everything with a 3D printer. This is the hyped misconception about 3D printing. We do come across people saying how additive manufacturing has helped them grow and saved their time also increased the business in manufacturing, but they are basically talking about prototyping.

Prototyping is a time-consuming step in manufacturing where the copy resembling how the final product is shown, which has to be first designed and finalized then sent to the production team to produce. The final product is the replica of the prototype designed having different measurements, but before that, if the product produced needs modifications the whole process starts again.

With a 3D printer, companies can design a part in CAD software, print it out in a matter of hours, and often test it the same day. Then if changes are required,  modify the digital model, print it out again, and continue until the part has been perfected, for no more cost than the price of the filament.

Now when you know about the misconceptions regarding 3D Printing you are ready to start with 3D Printing the small stuff and read the tips and tricks to perfectly print 3D objects with our Geeetech 3D printers.

Credits: 3dprint.com,all3dp.com,medium.com,youtube.com,businessinsider.com,gizmodo.com

Amazing Features of the Geeetech A30 :

Better Adhesion

Good adhesion starts with a well-calibrated build plate and that’s exactly what you get with the A30.  Compared with aluminum plate, this kind of tempered glass is of better adhesion and flatness and easy to take prints off. Its special coating makes it easy to clean and very user-friendly!

3D Touch Auto Levelling

An optional add-on of the A30 is that it supports auto-leveling function with 3D touch. This ensures that the printout has a flat first layer and strong structure.

Cloud Gallery

With its simple Wi-Fi configuration, you can easily connect to the EasyPrint 3D App to remote control A30 and enjoy a large number of free 3D models. Choose your favorite model from 9 categories, preview it and start to print.

Share your work with the 3D Printing community

Apart from scrolling through the beautiful slideshows of free 3D models, The EasyPrint 3D App also lets you share your fascinating printing moments with others. Showcase your designs with other 3D printing enthusiasts, beginners, and professionals alike with a simple touch of the button.

The EasyPrint 3D App is available to download and easy to set up!Other Specifications:

Get the best of Geeetech A30 3D Printer only @ Geeetech Official Site

The Best Features of Geeetech A30 are:

1.Coloured Touch Screen     Intuitive & Easy to Use

A user-friendly Printer which helps you to control the overall workflow orderly just by a swipe of your fingers. You can fully modify the relevant parameters and operations that you are performing and get better results as it responds to the actions faster.

2. High Printing Accuracy and Speed

In 3D Printing the most important parameter every person searches for is Speed without degrading the quality of the end product. Thus we have bought to you just what is needed. When it comes to the printing performance, A30 prints at the accuracy of 0.05mm and at the speed of 80-110mm/s, able to deliver items with a nice surface and strong structure. Reliable quality is inseparable from good printing settings.

3. TF Card Stand-Alone Printing

The A30 supports stand-alone printing where you just need to select a 3D model from your TF card, set the parameters that are suitable and order your A30 to print. Totally free you from being bound to your PC. You will get the desired results as accurate as you wish.

4. Self-Developed EasyPrint 3D

The A30 operates within the control of  Geeetech’s  self-developed EasyPrint 3D which has different modes. You can select the one which you are comfortable with, depending on your experience in 3D Printing. The modes include quick, custom and manual. The quick mode caters to the need of beginners, while the custom one is developed for pros to adjust sophosticated settings during printing. The manual mode allows you to adjust the slicing settings, the positions of each axis, printing speed and temp, etc. at ease.

Besides, A30 is also compatible with other popular 3D printing software, such Cura, Simplify 3D, Repetier-Host, etc.

Constant and automatic upgrading of the latest firmware on EasyPrint 3D  ensures that your printer keeps running at and delivers the best performance and provides you with satisfactory prints.

5. Bowden Extruder

The remote design of A30 extruder empowers the printing head  to moves quickly, accurately and stably. Besides, The A30 supports auto-leveling function with 3D touch (optional add-on), ensuring that the printout has a flat first layer and strong structure.

Get the best of Geeetech A30 3D Printer only @ Geeetech Official Site

Meet Geeetech A30, a new addition to Geeetech’s extensive range of desktop 3D printers, here to make all your 3D printing dreams come true. Packed with an impressive build volume of 320*320*420 mm, A30 enables you to print large-size 3D models.

Apart from its praiseworthy specifications, The Geeetech A30 is equipped with a sturdy frame, strong and wear-resistant which greatly improves the stability of the machine during printing. Besides this, the new printer comes almost fully assembled and all you need do is fix a few screws.

Coming to its appearance, the A30 is embellished with blue strips, making it look solemn and vigorous, an ideal representation of its quality printing performance and good craftsmanship.

Know some Amazing Things about the new Geeetech A30 Printer

1. Biggest Printer Ever

Life-sized 3D models are no longer a distant dream thanks to the Geeetech A30’s impressive build volume of 320*320*420 mm.

2. Wi-Fi  enabled EasyPrint 3D App

It is convenient to use EasyPrint 3D App to control A30. It is a cloud-based social App packed with remote control over your 3D printer, a cloud gallery of free 3D models and a 3D printing community.

This cloud solution makes it convenient for you to direct control over A30 anywhere and anytime via EasyPrint 3D App. In this way, A30 is more of a competent aide, rather than an intruder, in your work, learning and daily life.

EasyPrint 3D App, a considerate aide, enables you to scroll through the beautiful slideshows of free 3D models, choose your favourite model from 9 categories, preview it and start to print.

Besides, you can share your unique design with other 3D printing hobbyists.

It is super simple for you to share images or videos of your impressive printouts with the community. When your work is liked or commented, not only will you obtain confidence and encouragement from other 3D printing hobbyists, but also make like-minded friends. Moreover, here you could find technical supports and acquire much knowledge about 3D printing.

3. Easy to assemble

The printer even if it’s big it is really easy to assemble, you just need to add some screws before printing your 3D items. Thus it is really user-friendly and easy to understand.

4. Break- resuming capability to save time and all your hard work

Don’t let power outage get you down! The A30 has you covered with its break-resuming technology and you can now continue your work exactly where you left off. This doesn’t let your valuable time go to waste and also the material for making the 3D object is saved if the work is resumed, rather starting a new project altogether.

5. Filament Detector

You’ll never have to wonder when you’re running out of filament thanks to the A30’s remarkable feature of detecting and alerting you to change your filament. It sure does make your job easy!

Hurry up and grab this amazing printer only @  Geeetech Official Store