3D Printing, NFC and QR Gadgets for Corporate Events
The previous three weeks of this arc covered the four workhorses of technical FDM printing one by one, each with its own temperatures, chamber requirements and typical failure modes. Now it’s time to put them together. This installment is a recap: it introduces no new material, but arranges ABS, ASA, Nylon (PA) and polycarbonate...
When Monday’s topic of the week raised the question of where common engineering filaments stop being enough and when it’s time to reach for industrial-grade materials like Nylon and Polycarbonate, one category of parts deserved a dedicated technical look. Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the most demanding, yet also the most capable filaments available...
Nylon, or polyamide (PA), is among the highest-performing filaments available for desktop FDM printers, but also one of the most demanding. Standard PLA or PETG handle most hobby projects, but the moment a part has to withstand sustained mechanical loads, vibration, contact with oils, or operating temperatures above 80 °C, polyamides and their carbon-fiber...
Monday’s guide to ABS and ASA covered where PLA’s capabilities end and the world of heat-resistant technical materials begins. This article picks up from there and focuses on ASA as a specific outdoor alternative to ABS, one that solves the biggest weakness of the classic: degradation under UV radiation. If you need to print...
PLA is a great starter material, but as soon as parts need to survive heat in a car, mechanical loads, or repeated use in the workshop, its limits show up fast. That’s where ABS steps in, one of the oldest and still most widely used technical filaments. This guide explains when it makes sense...
The filament market has transformed beyond recognition over the past three years. While the choice used to be between virgin material from a European manufacturer and an anonymous no-name plastic from AliExpress, today you can pick between dozens of brands with similar-looking presentation and very different quality. Among the most frequently compared brands are...
Most hobby 3D printers start with rigid materials like PLA, PETG, or ABS. These plastics are strong and reliable, but they can’t bend or absorb impact without cracking. That’s exactly where TPU and Flex filaments come in. Flexible materials open up an entirely new category of applications: phone cases, gaskets, shoe soles, model car...
In our series, we have explored ABS as a strong and versatile material, learned how to print it successfully, and uncovered the magic of its surface finishes. However, the world of 3D printing is constantly evolving, and with it, materials. While ABS remains relevant, modern alternatives have emerged that address some of its shortcomings,...
If you have successfully mastered the challenges associated with printing from ABS, which we discussed in the previous part, a world of advanced surface finishes opens up for you. It is precisely in this area that ABS absolutely excels and offers possibilities that PLA users can only dream of. The best known of these...
In the previous part, we introduced ABS as a material with excellent strength and temperature resistance. However, these benefits come at the cost of more demanding printing. While PLA often forgives beginner’s mistakes, ABS requires more careful preparation and specific conditions. The biggest challenges are warping and fume emissions. This article is a practical...
Why was ABS the king of 3D printing? Nowadays, when the world of hobby 3D printing is dominated by easily printable PLA, it’s easy to forget the material that stood at the birth of this revolution. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, better known by its acronym ABS, was for many years the uncrowned king and the...
The theoretical properties of a material are one thing, but the true value of PETG is revealed only in real-world applications. Thanks to its unique combination of strength, toughness, temperature resistance, and ease of printing, it has found its way into workshops, homes, gardens, and even operating rooms. In this final part of our...
Standard PETG is a fantastic all-around material, but what if your projects demand even higher performance? For applications where extreme stiffness, temperature resistance, specific electrical conductivity, or maximum print speed are crucial, specialized PETG variants come into play. These advanced materials push the boundaries of FDM printing capabilities. In this article, we’ll dive into...
Printing a model is often only half the battle. For a PETG 3D print to achieve a professional look or meet precise functional requirements, post-processing is essential. Whether you want to remove visible layers, glue a large model together, or give it a unique color and shine, the right techniques are key. Unlike PLA,...
PETG is celebrated for its versatility, but the path to perfect prints can be paved with minor pitfalls, such as stringing or adhesion issues. Unlike PLA, which is quite forgiving, PETG requires more careful preparation and correct settings. This article is a practical guide that will show you how to tame this material and...
Introduction: Why is PETG the Golden Mean in 3D Printing? In the world of 3D printing, where every material offers a unique set of properties, there is one that has earned a reputation as a true all-rounder – PETG. For many printers, from beginners to professionals, it represents an ideal compromise, a kind of...
Besides the main categories, there are several other specialized PLA filaments on the market that offer unique properties for specific purposes. Among the most interesting are glow-in-the-dark materials and ultra-light foaming filaments. 1. Glow-in-the-dark PLA This filament is popular for making decorations, toys, and Halloween accessories that glow in the dark after being illuminated....
When aesthetics take a back seat and mechanical properties come to the fore, Carbon Fiber reinforced PLA (PLA-CF) steps onto the scene. This high-performance composite material transforms brittle PLA into a rigid and strong material suitable for technical applications such as functional prototypes, drone frames, or stressed RC model parts. However, its exceptional properties...
For projects that require not only a metallic appearance but also the feeling of weight and coolness of real metal, metal-filled filaments have been developed. These advanced composites push the boundaries of the aesthetic possibilities of FDM printing, enabling the creation of statuettes, replicas, and decorative parts with a premium look. However, achieving this...
Wood PLA is one of the first and most popular composite filaments, bringing the organic aesthetic and texture of real wood into the world of plastic 3D printing. It’s not just about color; this material actually contains wood particles, which is evident not only in its appearance and scent but also places specific demands...
In contrast to the dazzling shine of Silk PLA, there is Matte PLA – a filament designed to achieve a subtle, professional, and non-reflective finish. Its ability to masterfully conceal layers and create visually clean objects makes it a favorite for architectural models, product prototypes, and any prints where emphasis is placed on shape...
