3D Printing, NFC and QR Gadgets for Corporate Events
In Monday’s topic this week we looked at filament storage and its life cycle as a long game, where it pays to think about what you’ll be doing with the material years down the road; recycled filament is the logical next step in that line of thinking, because it shifts the question from ‘how...
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...
Over the past two years, OrcaSlicer has become one of the most popular slicers in the 3D printing community. It started as a fork of Bambu Studio (which itself is based on PrusaSlicer), added a number of its own tools, and continues to evolve thanks to a large open-source community. For a newcomer, however,...
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...
In the wide range of PLA filaments, Silk PLA holds a special place. It is not designed for mechanical durability, but for pure aesthetics. Its ability to create prints with a high gloss and a smooth, almost satiny surface makes it a popular choice for decorative items, artistic projects, and visual prototypes where appearance...
While standard PLA excels in ease of printing and aesthetics, its mechanical properties, particularly its brittleness, limit its use for functional parts. This is where PLA+, also known as “Tough PLA,” comes in. It is an improved version that aims to bridge the gap between the easy printability of PLA and the mechanical resistance...
Standard PLA is a material that defines the starting point for comparing all other variants. Its properties, printing behavior, and price form the basic benchmark from which the evaluation of all specialized filaments is derived. Understanding standard PLA is therefore crucial for anyone who wants to navigate the wider range of materials. What is...
Polylactic acid, better known by its acronym PLA, is undoubtedly the most widespread and well-known material in the world of desktop 3D printing. For many users, it represents their first contact with additive manufacturing technology, and for good reason: its easy printability, low hardware requirements, and relatively low cost make it an ideal entry...
