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How To Succeed With Any 3D Printing Material

How To Succeed When 3D Printing With PLA Filament

How To Succeed When 3D Printing With PLA Filament

  • MatterHackers
  • Jun 27, 2022
Discover the best practices for 3D printing with PLA filament - from finding the right temperature, to which surfaces to 3D print on, this step-by-step guide will help you succeed with 3D printing PLA.
For years PLA 3D filament has been the top dog in the 3D printing industry; it prints easily, is available in a huge variety of colors and effects, and can be printed on virtually any 3D printer. Being successful with PLA is an essential skill to develop as you are likely to stick with PLA for most of you're projects until you find yourself working on more demanding use cases. PLA is great for dem... (More)
How To Succeed When Printing With ABS

How To Succeed When Printing With ABS

  • MatterHackers
  • Sep 29, 2022
ABS filament is a versatile material that's a great option for when you need your 3D-printed parts to be strong and heat-resistant. Learn how to print this material like a Pro in this in-depth guide.
What is ABS filament? ABS is one of the most commonly used and versatile materials available in 3D printing today. There are a few extra things to consider when printing with ABS as compared to PLA, but the extra hurdles are well worth it for the enhanced strength, post-processing capabilities, and temperature resistance of ABS.... (More)
How to Succeed when 3D Printing with PETG Filament

How to Succeed when 3D Printing with PETG Filament

  • MatterHackers
  • Aug 1, 2021
This in-depth guide provides everything you need to succeed when printing with PETG filament. Embrace the fantastic properties of durable and easy to print, PETG filament!
PETG has become a very popular 3D printing material thanks to it's ease of printing, mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and incredible color options thanks to natural PETG being so clear. There are a few things to know before getting started, like the need for an all-metal hotend and the necessity of well-tuned retraction, so we've put all our PETG expertise into this article so you can get ... (More)
How to Succeed with 3D Printing Metal on a Desktop 3D Printer

How to Succeed with 3D Printing Metal on a Desktop 3D Printer

  • MatterHackers
  • Jun 18, 2019
The time is here to explore easy and affordable metal 3D printing. 3D printing with real metal on a desktop 3D printer is now possible using Ultrafuse Metal 3D printing filament from BASF Forward AM.
What is metal 3D printing? Until recently, 3D printing with metal has been limited to sintering or powder 3D printing. Essentially, metal powder is bound together using high powered lasers, and then the parts are post-processed in a kiln or forge to produce nearly 100% solid metal parts. These machines, materials, and the post-processing needed to produce parts are expensive to own ($100,000+ for... (More)
How To Succeed When 3D Printing With Nylon

How To Succeed When 3D Printing With Nylon

  • MatterHackers
  • Aug 23, 2021
Learn how to 3D print Nylon like a pro. Nylon is a stronger and more durable alternative to PLA or ABS and easy to 3D print with using these Tips and Tricks.
Unlock the full potential of your 3D printing projects with Nylon – the robust, versatile material that outperforms traditional PLA and ABS in strength and durability. Ideal for creating functional parts, tools, and high-wear objects, Nylon's unique properties make it a top choice for hobbyists and professionals alike. Embark on your Nylon printing journey equipped with our expert tips and ... (More)
How to Succeed when 3D Printing with TPU and Flexible Filament

How to Succeed when 3D Printing with TPU and Flexible Filament

  • MatterHackers
  • Nov 23, 2021
Let’s take a look at what makes flexible filaments easier to print and how you can add flexible filament to your 3D printing material toolbox.
When most people think of 3D printing materials, plastics like PLA, ABS, or nylon are some of the first materials that come to mind. These materials all have one thing in common: their rigidity. Sometimes you want a part that is ductile and able to bend or compress as it is stressed. Fortunately, there's more than just rigid 3D printing materials; from TPU to PRO Series Flex, flexible 3D printing ... (More)
How to Succeed with NylonX

How to Succeed with NylonX

  • Taylor Landry
  • Sep 1, 2016
NylonX has quickly become one of our favorite filaments for strong, durable, and ready-to-use parts. Here's an in-depth look at Nylon X, and some printing tips to get the most out of this great new material.
Nylons are a fantastic group of 3D printing materials. Excellent chemical, abrasion, and impact resistance coupled with its durability and toughness make it a perfect choice for strong, functional 3D printed parts. The main “cons” of nylon filaments are the lack of rigidity, relatively high shrink rate, and the fact that it is highly hygroscopic (absorbs water from the air).... (More)
How to Succeed When 3D Printing with MH Build Resin

How to Succeed When 3D Printing with MH Build Resin

  • MatterHackers
  • Nov 26, 2020
Make SLA resin 3D printing easier with this helpful detailed article on how to successfully fine-tune photopolymer resin to your 3D printer.
MH Build Photopolymer 3D Printing Resin is the go-to quality photopolymer material that specializes in providing amazing fine details for its low price-breaking cost. Using an epoxy-free resin formula stored in a pouch engineered to empty out every last drop in its container, MH Build Resin is designed for makers who produce D&D figurines, educational anatomical models, early concepts of indus... (More)
How To Succeed: 3D Printing with Nylon and Nylon Composites

How To Succeed: 3D Printing with Nylon and Nylon Composites

  • Alec Richter
  • Jul 15, 2020
Nylon and nylon composites perform exceptionally well in a variety of uses, it just takes a gentler touch to print it successfully.
Nylon is one of the most common plastics you will find in consumer products, and there’s a reason for that: it’s material properties make it an excellent choice for durability. Nylon is ductile, strong, and fairly chemically resistant which is why you’ll find a lot of power tools are made of nylon or use a nylon based composite; they’re objects that need impact resistance t... (More)
How To Succeed When 3D Printing With ASA Filament

How To Succeed When 3D Printing With ASA Filament

  • MatterHackers
  • Sep 3, 2023
Unlock the potential of ASA filament for durable, outdoor 3D prints! Dive into our comprehensive guide and elevate your 3D printing skills.
Welcome to the exciting realm of 3D printing with ASA filament! ASA, or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, is a robust and weather-resistant material that's gaining popularity among 3D printing enthusiasts. The reason? Its exceptional ability to withstand external elements makes it ideal for outdoor applications. Whether you're planning to design a charming garden gnome, a durable outdoor planter, or... (More)
How to Succeed When 3D Printing with Polypropylene

How to Succeed When 3D Printing with Polypropylene

  • MatterHackers
  • Mar 11, 2020
Successfully produce 3D printed parts out of polypropylene filament with these tips on achieving stronger bed adhesion and minimizing shrinkage.
Polypropylene (PP) is a popular semi-rigid polymer material used to produce many common consumer products due to its superb mechanical properties. Suitable for a variety of applications, examples of everyday use cases can be found in the form of squeezable bottles, flip-top mint containers, car bumpers, toys, and so much more. Positive features associated with polypropylene include its robust resi... (More)
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