3D printing
We have two 3D printers at our disposal
Due to our own projects we do have accumulated two filament deposition 3D printers, so why not use them for printing client’s projects as well. 3D printer is a great way to print various small ornaments, spare parts, mounting brakets, installation jigs or even whole products or product prototypes.
Printing materials
Our most common material has been PLA, which provides environmentally friendly (eventually decomposing) prints. PLA produces a solid and rigid print which then breaks when twisted enough. The PLA also starts to warp according to the internal stresses of the object if it is exposed to direct sunlight or heat. The other material we use is PETG, which provides better weatherproof prints than PLA, but it is more flexible (not rubber-like, but bends without breaking). For example, PETG is suitable for making some kind of fastening clips that are clicked around something. Other materials can also be tried on special order, but so far we have used these two successfully.
Other theoretical possibilities include polycarbonate (PC), HIPS, PVA (melt in water, eg washable support structures for prints), nylon (PA), ABS, ABS + carbon fiber, PLA + carbon fiber, ASA, TPU (rubber elastic, known as by product name eg NinjaFlex). There are different color variants of all of these, and the previously mentioned PLA and PETG. Our own experience has grown with PLA and PETG according to our own needs, and because of odor problems and higher material prices, we have not tried other materials. That in itself is not a barrier to experimentation if you need to, but then we don’t have any more exotic materials on the shelf, so the cost of the material will go straight to the entire spool and only then we can test how well the material will print.
Our equipment
Prenta Duo XL 3D printer, which is a cartesian type machine. Printer has a possibility to run two filaments at the same time while printing (e.g. 2-color prints or different materials or water soluble support structure). The print area of the printer is (XYZ) 400x200x200mm. The print temperature is adjustable between 150…265 ° C and includes a heated bed 0…100 ° C.
Wasp Turbo 2040 3D printer which is a delta type machine. This machine has the best protected print area from external influences. The print area is limited to a circular 200mm in diameter with a maximum height of 400mm. The machine has a single extruder, so multicolored or multicolored things won’t work (at least not by printing directly), but that’s our fastest machine for printing.
Pricing
Printing pricing is based on a start-up fee and printing material, so we need from you an STL model whose material consumption and cost will be reveal itself when the model is sliced.
If you need a simple fastener or spare part, or a small, relatively easy to model contraption, we can also help you designing it and design it with you on site. The CAD software we use can handle pretty well cube-like and block-like things, but if your piece starts to resemble a pringles chips with a twisted shape, it (may) become too challenging to draw (and also possibly to print). Perhaps one day we can switch to Solidworks or other program favored by the big boys, which will do it more painlessly. In any case, it’s always worth asking us about the job and then we can tell you if we can make it or not, and is it an easy job or do we lose our hair when doing it.
Also, when designing a printable object, remember that the bigger the printable object, the more risk there is to fail in some way. The problem is mainly due to the thermal expansion of the long plastic wires, and as a result, the piece will detach from its corners (or completely), or the extruder may bump into a bent corner and consequently lose its position and print in the air. The big piece also costs money and time.
Whether you need a small piece or a bit bigger one, contact us! And we’ll see whether we can print the object and what it will cost.