3D printing is a versatile, efficient, and profitable method of manufacturing, but it requires more than just a machine and material. Your 3D printing designs Malaysia budget must include for other elements such as storage, ventilation, handling materials, and equipment setups, especially if you intend to take advantage of a 3D printer’s exceptional adaptability.
Table of Content:
Before you dive into the realm of 3D printing, you’ll need a complete understanding of the process as well as all of the 3D printing supplies you’ll require.
BASIC 3D PRINTER SUPPLIES
3D printing, of course, begins with a printer. There are numerous varieties of 3D printers available on the market, but some of the more popular styles for commercial users include:
Stereolithography (SLA): SLA is one of the most popular 3D printing services Malaysia, and it is accessible to both amateurs and experts. These printers direct one or two lasers at a vat of resin, curing only a small portion of it. Individual layers are used to construct the result. They can employ extremely powerful lasers designed for engineering-grade resins.
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) printers range from consumer to industrial grade. A spool of filament is passed into a nozzle, which warms and softens the filament. The heated filament is subsequently deposited in layers that link together via the nozzle.
Digital light printing (DLP): Because this technology can flash a full layer at once rather than a small area, many customers choose it for larger parts or larger volumes of parts.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printers use materials that are powdered.5 The powder is heated to just below melting point and then is applied to the build platform in a thin layer. The powder is sintered and solidified by a laser scanning the surface in the chosen pattern. Another layer of powder is deposited when the platform descends one layer.
There are also specialised printers for working with materials like as concrete and biological substances. Your printer must be able to fit the material you intend to work with as well as provide an adequate size and speed for your application.
The printing substance is the next significant component in Malaysia 3D printing. We’ll go over these in further detail later, but popular materials include polymers, resins, and metals.
While the 3D printer accessories required vary depending on the purpose and printer, some components you may require include:
Containers for storing printing supplies: Proper storage is necessary to keep your printing supplies in good shape. Materials must be stored in containers to protect them from moisture damage and other environmental hazards. For example, desiccant pouches or an airtight container may be required to keep plastic filaments from warping by absorbing moisture. For more details on proper storage, speak with the manufacturer.
Adhesives: Adhesives used on the first layer of many projects assist the product stay in place on the printer bed. Masking tape and adhesive can assist maintain this layer in place while also allowing for easy removal after the product is ready. Adhesives may also be required during assembly to join different pieces of your printed item.
Ventilation equipment: When dealing with thermoplastics, 3D printing can emit harmful gases that can cause cellular damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress6. To work safely with the printer, you will require protective equipment such as breathing masks, fans, and fume extractors. To learn more, research your printing process and read the printer’s safety information.
Build plates: Depending on the job, a build plate might help increase your print’s adhesion and surface finish. A build plate is typically included with printers, however extra plates can be purchased. Having several plates gives you more versatility and performance in diverse settings, while also protecting your equipment and extending its life.
Callipers: 3D parts require a high level of precision and accuracy. A trustworthy set of callipers can give the measurements required for quality assurance and verification.
A toolkit: If you need to access the inner workings of your 3D printer for maintenance or repairs, you will most likely require a set of tools such as screwdrivers and Allen keys.
Finishing tools: 3D items frequently require finishing, such as sanding or carving, after printing. Sandpaper or sanders smooth off rough edges, whereas carving tools aid in the removal of supports and the creation of delicate details. big-scale finishing equipment may be required for big production runs.
Spatula : A tapered spatula wedges beneath the 3D part to separate it from the print bed without destroying it. They are basic but necessary for modest enterprises.
Nozzle sets: To handle various print thicknesses, you might require extra nozzles depending on your printer and your application. While larger diameters can print more quickly, smaller ones can offer more precision. If you need flexibility to accommodate a variety of print tasks, consider having a collection of different sizes.
TYPES OF PRINTING MATERIAL
There are a vast range of 3D printing materials available, including plastic, powders, resins, metal, and carbon fibre. Due to the availability of these materials, 3D printing is a viable method for producing a wide range of components, from highly precise parts for industrial and aerospace machines to specialised consumer goods.
#1 PLASTICS
Plastic is the most widely used raw material for 3D printing at the moment. One of the most varied materials for 3D-printed toys and home furnishings is plastic. This process is used to create items like action figures, vases, and desk accessories. Plastic filaments are available on spools and come in translucent and vibrant colour varieties. They can also have a matte or shine feel.
The appeal of plastic is simple to grasp given its firmness, flexibility, smoothness, and vibrant array of colour options. Plastic is typically inexpensive, making it a good choice for both producers and consumers.
Plastic items are often created using FDM printers, which melt and form thermoplastic filaments layer by layer. Plastics used in this procedure are typically made of one of the following materials:
Polylactic acid (PLA): Polylactic acid, one of the most environmentally friendly 3D printer materials, is derived from natural sources such as sugar cane and corn starch and is thus biodegradable. Polylactic acid plastics, which are available in soft and hard forms, are expected to dominate the 3D printing business in the next years. Hard PLA is the more durable and thus more suitable material for a wider range of items.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): ABS is a preferred material for 3D printers used at home because of its strength and safety. The substance, which is also known as “LEGO plastic,” is made of pasta-like threads that give ABS its stiffness and flexibility. Because ABS comes in a variety of colours, it can be used for things like stickers and toys. It is widely utilised in consumer goods created commercially as well as by hobbyist printers.
Polyvinyl alcohol plastic (PVA): PVA is a plastic that can be used for support materials of the soluble kind and is commonly used in low-end home printers. PVA can be a cheap alternative for objects with a short lifespan even if it is not appropriate for products that need to be highly durable.
Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate, which is less commonly used than the other plastic kinds, can only be utilised in 3D printers with nozzle designs and that operate at high temperatures. Polycarbonate is used to create low-cost plastic fasteners and moulding trays, among other things.
Plastic goods produced by 3D printers come in a variety of shapes and textures, ranging from flat and spherical to grooved and mesh. A fast Google image search will yield a surprising array of 3D-printed plastic objects such as cog wheels and Incredible Hulk action figurines. Most supply stores sell polycarbonate spools to home crafters.
#2 POWDERS
Powdered materials are used to produce objects in today’s more advanced 3D printers. The powder is melted and dispersed in layers inside the printer until the appropriate thickness, texture, and patterns are achieved. Powders can be derived from a variety of sources and materials, but the most frequent are:
Polyamide (Nylon): Polyamide’s strength and flexibility enable great degrees of detail on a 3D-printed product. The material is ideal for joining and interlocking parts in a 3D-printed model. Everything from fasteners and handles to toy vehicles and figures is printed with polyamide.
Alumide:
Alumide powder, which is made up of polyamide and grey aluminium, produces some of the strongest 3D-printed products. The powder, distinguished by its gritty and sandy texture, is suitable for industrial models and prototypes.
Steel, copper, and other metals are easier to transport and shape into desired shapes when they are in powder form. Metal powder, like the many forms of plastic used in 3D printing, must be heated to the point where it can be distributed layer by layer to form a finished shape.
#3 RESINS
Resin is one of the more restricting and so less-used materials in 3D printing. Resin has limited flexibility and strength when compared to other 3D-applicable materials. Resin, which is made of liquid polymer, enters its final condition when exposed to UV radiation. Resin is typically found in black, white, and translucent types, however printed objects in orange, red, blue, and green have also been manufactured.
The material is divided into three categories:
High-detail resins: used frequently for little miniatures that demand fine detail. For instance, this grade of resin is frequently used to print intricate clothing and facial details on four-inch figures.
Paintable resin: The resins in this class are renowned for their aesthetic appeal and are occasionally utilised in 3D prints with smooth surfaces. Sculpted resin is frequently used to create figurines with realistic facial features.
Transparent resin: Since this class of resin is the strongest, it is most suited for a variety of 3D-printed objects. This resin is frequently used for models that need to be more transparent and smoother to the touch.
Figurines, chess pieces, and other small home decor items are made from transparent resins in clear and coloured variants.
#4 METALS
Metal is the second most popular material in the 3D printing business, and it is employed in a process known as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Manufacturers of air travel equipment have already embraced this approach, using metal 3D printing to speed up and simplify the fabrication of component parts.
Metal can provide a more robust and, perhaps, more diverse range of common items. One of the primary benefits of this method is that the engraving is handled by the printer. As a result, items can be finished by the boxload in a few mechanically programmed processes that do not require the hands-on labour that engraving work formerly required.
Additionally, the development of metal-based 3D printing is allowing machine makers to employ DMLS to eventually create at rates and in quantities that are not feasible with existing assembly technologies. Supporters of these innovations claim that 3D printing would enable machine manufacturers to generate metal parts with strength that is superior to those made of traditional, refined metals.
The variety of metals that can be used with the DMLS technology is just as varied as the many kinds of plastic used in 3D printers:
Stainless steel: Ideal for printing elements that will come into direct with water.
Bronze: Can be used to construct vases and other decorative items.
Nickel: Coin printing is possible using this material.
Aluminum: Coin printing is possible using this material.
Titanium: The preferred option for heavy-duty fixtures.
Metal is used in the printing process in the form of dust. To achieve hardness, the metal dust is burned. This enables printers to avoid casting and produce metal pieces directly from metal dust. After the printing process is completed, the components can be electro-polished and released to the market.
Metal dust is most commonly used to print metal instrument prototypes, but it has also been utilised to create finished, marketable items and field-ready parts. Powdered metal has even been employed in the manufacture of medical gadgets.
#5 OTHER MATERIALS
There are numerous additional materials used in 3D printing, such as:
Carbon fiber: Carbon fibre composites are utilised as a top layer over plastic materials in 3D printers. The goal is to strengthen the plastic. Carbon fibre over plastic has been employed in the 3D printing industry as a quick and convenient alternative to metal. 3D carbon fibre printing is likely to replace the much slower process of carbon-fiber layup in the future. Manufacturers can minimise the number of steps required to assemble electromechanical devices by using conductive carbomorph.
Graphite and graphene: Due to its strength and conductivity, graphene has grown to be a preferred material for 3D printing. The substance is perfect for flexible device components like touchscreens. Solar panels and construction components both utilise graphene. Graphene is one of the 3D-applicable materials that proponents of the option claim is one of the most flexible. It is thin, durable, and exceptionally electrically conductive.
Nitinol: Nitinol is regarded in the 3D printing market for its super-elasticity as a common material in medical implants. Nitinol is a nickel and titanium alloy that can bend to great lengths without breaking. The material can be returned to its original shape even when folded in half. As a result, nitinol is one of the strongest and most flexible materials. Nitinol permits printers to do things that would otherwise be impossible in the creation of medical devices.
Paper: Designs can be 3D printed on paper to create a significantly more realistic prototype than a flat illustration. When presenting a design for approval, the 3D-printed model allows the presenter to communicate the essence of the design with greater detail and precision. This makes the presentation significantly more interesting since it provides a more realistic feeling of the engineering reality if the design is implemented.
HOW HARD IS 3D PRINTING?
Due to the necessity for a wide skill set, 3D printing can be difficult. To build and troubleshoot problems with a 3D printer, you’ll use your creativity, math, and computer-aided design (CAD) skills. You’ll discover the finest techniques for developing a piece, selecting the right materials, and identifying proper configurations over time. Subtle variances contribute to the end piece’s quality, but each application is unique, so trial and error is required.
Learning software programmes is part of the problem of 3D printing. Even if you have a good experience in CAD, you may need to spend some time learning the software that comes with your printer. Online resources, manufacturer assistance, and CAD courses can all help you increase your 3D printing skills.
After you overcome the learning curve, 3D printing is enjoyable but it does demand persistence and problem-solving skills. Here are some pointers for learning 3D printing as a beginner:
Level the bed: The quality of your print is impacted by an uneven print bed since it alters how close to the bed the nozzle is in various locations. The bed can be levelled manually, although levelling sensors or built-in levelling technology can make the procedure simpler.
Keep an eye on the temperature of your nozzle: To print without filament strings or deformities, the nozzle must be precisely calibrated. Temperature issues can be mitigated in a variety of ways, including the creation of an oozing barrier to trap strings and the adjustment of the bed temperature. For example, if your bed temperature is too low, the bottom edges may begin to contract and peel away from the build plate as they cool. You can keep it attached by raising the temperature.
Create routine maintenance processes: Any piece of equipment, including your 3D printer, requires ongoing maintenance. Maintain the bed by cleaning it, lubricating the rails, and calibrating the extruder. Set aside time to tighten fasteners and belts and to check for manufacturer software and firmware updates.
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING A 3D PRINTER
If you’re thinking about purchasing a 3D printer, make a detailed list of your needs and possibilities. As you hunt for the best 3D printer, ask yourself the following questions:
What kind of experience do I have? Do you have any experience with CAD or small equipment repairs? If not, you may need to employ someone or spend time learning about these difficulties before investing in 3D printing. Some printers and materials are better suited to beginners than others. Discuss your degree of experience with the vendor to discover the greatest fit.
What features should a 3D printer have? Investigate your application and make a list of any characteristics you may require, such as a big build plate, user-friendly software, or direct drive extruders. Consider which features are essential and which would be useful.
What restrictions on the environment do I have? Choose a location for your 3D printer. This operation is particularly crucial for large, industrial-grade printers. Consider your available space and whether a printer with a tiny footprint is necessary. Additionally, think about your ventilation and whether you need to modify your HVAC system to provide a secure environment.
What throughput and quality do I require? produce quality is determined by the printer’s resolution, while speed is determined by the height it can produce in an hour. Consider your intended use and the demands placed on your printer. High-volume production may require a quick, low-quality print, but models that are made infrequently might benefit from greater precision.
Is the seller reliable? Make certain that the company from which you purchase your printer has a great track record of customer satisfaction. Examine the feedback for both the vendor and the manufacturer. To view a real-world example of how a model functions, request sample prints that are reflective of your intended application.
How much money do I want to spend on tools and materials? Some technologies are more expensive than others, so consider your budget and the possible savings from 3D printing. Consider all future costs, such as supplies, maintenance, and educational requirements. Include CAD training fees in your budget, for example, if your team will need it.
WHAT INDUSTRIES USE 3D PRINTING?
3D printing is an appealing option that has gained traction across industries. As technology progressed, 3D-printed parts found their way into everything from jet engines to automobiles to consumer items.
AEROSPACE
Because of the necessity for complicated, accurate components, the aircraft sector makes extensive use of 3D printing. While subtractive manufacturing technologies make these components difficult to achieve, 3D printing’s additive nature allows for intricate constructions with fewer parts. 3D-printed components can help aviation firms simplify assembly, decrease possible failure points, and save time and money.
3D printing is now used in jet engine prototypes and end-of-life parts by GE Aviation and Boeing. For these applications, this technology provides high precision and customisation.
Due to its on-demand capabilities, 3D printing holds promise as a means of producing parts in space without the need for additional manned spaceflight. For instance, instead of using a resource-intensive launch, technicians aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may just print a part.
AUTOMOTIVE
The automotive industry is an excellent fit for 3D printing. It enables producers to print intricate parts as needed, reducing material waste dramatically. Ford has used this technology since the 1990s and is currently constructing a full 3D printing centre in Europe to support its upcoming all-electric vehicles.
MANUFACTURING
In the industrial industry, where interruptions are costly, 3D printing has the advantage of speed. With on-demand part printing for products like as injection moulds and spare parts, manufacturers may make parts as needed without extensive lead times, keeping operations running smoothly.
HEALTH CARE AND MEDICINE
In the world of medicine, 3D printing holds potential, especially for implants, prosthetics, and medical devices. It can assist in producing personalised dentistry or orthopaedic items that are designed specifically for the patient’s individual anatomy.
Dezpad offers 3D Print Service Malaysia for anyone who is looking for custom 3D printing services.
Contact Us for more information on how you can get your project custom 3D printed.