5 Useful Things You Can Create With a 3D Printing Service

By heading on a Ferndale 3D Printing service and handing out your design, you can expect to see your concepts come into life with every turn of the printer. As of now, there is no limit as to what you can make with a 3d printer. In fact, you can create a lot of useful items with the help of it. Below are a few useful objects that you can make with 3D printing technology.

1. Locks

3d printers today are capable of creating locks that are quite effective and albeit simpler in design. With a little bit of ingenuity and creativity, you may be able to come up with a design that allows for multiple moving objects inside the lock to be assembled once everything has been printed. The only thing that you have to make sure is that the 3D printing service uses thick sheets of high quality plastic like Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Plastic (also known as ABS plastic) to come up with a lock that is as durable as conventional locks. 

2. Mechanical Parts

A lot of individuals have used 3D Printing technology to print out plastic replacement parts for their mechanical systems. Whether it is nails, fan blades or gears, 3D printing services are able to come up with replacement parts for any equipment, engine and device. However, it is important to remember that plastic does warp, regardless of its durability, under constant stress, heat and friction. This means that these parts might have to be replaced continually or, better yet, used sparingly.

3. Kitchenware

Kitchen utensils and tools are one of the few objects in the market that can make an easy transition to 3D printing. The reason is quite simple: they are made of the same material used in 3D printing albeit created differently. With 3D printing services, you can create plastic forks, spoons, knives and measuring cups for various uses. The best thing about this is that 3D printing has a high rate of accuracy which means that the problems in creating plastic kitchenware are minimized or removed entirely.

4. Various Holders

Got a problem holding all your grocery bags in one hand? A 3D printer can help you print out a solution. Holding fixtures are one of the easier objects to print in a 3D printer as they are quite simple in design. From towel holders, guitar pick holders, straps for earphones and even door stoppers, the 3D printing services can churn out something that will make your daily activities all easier to complete.

5. Weapons

Though this is still highly debatable and controversial, there is a way to create a fully functioning weapon with the help of 3D printers. Consisting of various parts and mechanism, 3D guns have yet to be tested for their reliability in emergency situations. Thus, it is best not to dabble in this option if you have no license to carry a firearm or have no prior experience in using one.

The services of a Ferndale 3D printing service can create something very reliable and highly durable from your designs and concepts. The only thing you have to do is to submit the design and watch as the printing services bring it to life.

Designing 3D Metal Models effectively: 5 Tips to Keep in Mind

 

One of the best materials to use today in 3D printing is metal due to its durability and sheen. However, Ferndale 3D printing in metal has its own set of considerations since it uses a material that is quite different from plastic. In addition, it has additional processes and techniques used in order to create an accurate final product. To make the most out of this service, there are a few tips you need to follow when designing the 3D model.

Give Support in the Green State

There will be a time in the process when the 3D model enters a “green” state where it is quite weak and fragile. Being made out of steel dust glued together, the finished product will have the consistency of wet sand. Since the model is quite weak, it cannot be molded further or even held. Thus, it is best that you design a simple support model for the finished product. Using simple geometric shapes, you can have the printer service use this support to give your 3D model enough time to harden for detailing.

Set the Details Aside

Metal 3D printing is quite unique in the sense that it involves more processes than normal. The first process would involve laying out the base shape which is then followed by another process which fills in the details of the model. To make it easier for the 3D printing services, it is a good idea that you submit two different designs for your model, one for its base shape and the other for its details. This way, they will know which way to go first and come up with a model that is 100% accurate to your design.

Mind the Edges

Unless the model is a 3D replication of a sword or any sharp object, it is best that you refrain from using too many knife edges in your design. Keep in mind that metal is quite hard. Thus, having too many sharp edges will make the 3D model uncomfortable to move around. Plus, sharp edges tend to chip and crack easily during the green phase. To prevent your model from breaking, smooth out the edges with 1mm fillet. If the model calls for spikes, juts and any other long sharp edge, make sure that the tips are round and dull.

Round Internal Edges

Aside from the knife edges, sharp internal edges tend to break easily especially if they are near an interlocking point. Sharp intersections in the internal angles tend to break easily which compromises your 3D model’s integrity. Before the model is printed, you must make sure that the edges are smoothed out. If they are still sharp on the final product, you can always smooth it out with a 1mm fillet.

Provide Adequate Surface Area

Whenever your design calls for interlocking points, joints and hinges, you might have to give each surface between the parts enough area to move around. Tight connections will always compromise the movement of the model which, in turn, ruins its integrity. A clearance area of at between 0.2 and 0.4 mm is ideal for many services that off Ferndale 3D printing in metal. This way, the connecting points do not wear each other out in time.