3D Printer Resins

3D Printer Resins provide a nearly endless array of possibilities. Whether you’re printing out a figurine, a Smartphone case, a wrench or a door stop, you need to pick the right device for your needs and budget.

With prices ranging from less than $200/ £200 to several thousand dollars or pounds, 3D Printer Resins come in a wide variety of sizes and capabilities. 3D Printer Resins also use a variety of different technologies that range from FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) to DLP (Digital Light Processing), Stereo lithography and more. If all of this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. Read on and we’ll help you find the right 3D Printer Resins.

Types of 3D Printer Resins

1. FDM –

A Fused Deposition Modelling printer creates objects by heating filament, feeding it through a tube and extruding into shape along the X, Y and Z-axes. This is similar to the 3Doodler Create+, but much less manual (and more precise). These printers are notorious for their horizontal layer lines and work required to smooth out final prints. You can expect either a Cartesian or Delta style frame construction. Most 3D printing hobbyists use a Cartesian FDM printer.

A Cartesian style printer moves the bed along the Y-axis while moving the X-axis and Z-axis with their own motors. A Delta style construction moves the extruder using three motors on evenly spaced rods—this construction is less ideal and not as common. Most FDM printers are Cartesian style as they offer greater control and better end results.

2. SLA –

Stereo lithography printers use a process known as photo-solidification in which a chemical reaction forms layers. The photons focus to a specific point, making the SLA resin solidify. Because SLA printing can be so precise, you can expect smooth, high-quality prints with extremely fine detail.

3. DLP –

Digital Light Processing is very similar to SLA style printing; both use vat polymerization to create each layer of the object. When light targets a point in the resin, the polymers react by hardening into place. Objects printed on a DLP printer are very smooth compared to things printed on an FDM machine.

4. SLS –

Selective Laser Sintering printers create new layers by focusing a laser to a point inside a vat of powder. The powder solidifies as the laser moves to the next location. This process is ideal for printing complex industrial parts and detailed objects.

There are more types of 3D printers on the market, but many people use an FDM printer as their first 3D printer.

How 3D Printer Resins Works?

3D Printer Resins use neither powder nor filament; they use liquid resin. At i.e. materialize, our Mammoth printers can print up to a length of 2.1 meters (6.9 feet).

The stereo lithography process takes place in a large tank and begins with a layer of liquid polymer spread over a platform. Since this piqued polymer is UV-sensitive, a UV laser hardens the area that will become one layer of your 3D print. The rest of the layer stays liquid. The platform is then lowered and the next layer is drawn directly on top of the previous one.

When the object is complete, it is raised out of the tank via the supporting platform – much like a submarine rising to the surface of the water – with the excess liquid flowing away.

Because a liquid material is used (and not powder), we need to add support material for overhanging parts and parts that stick out. The supports will then be removed manually after the model is taken from the machine. This means that the design freedom of this technology is somewhat limited. The main advantages of materials printed with Stereo lithography are smooth surfaces and a lot of finishing and post-processing possibilities.

Materials used in this printing process include standard resin, mammoth resin, transparent resin, and gray resin. They all feature smooth, high-quality surfaces.

PolyJet Printing

Another technology that is based on resin is PolyJet Technology. It works by jetting resin in ultra-thin layers onto a build tray until the model is completed. Each layer is cured by UV light immediately after being jetted, producing fully cured models that can be handled and used immediately.

Since this technology produces a high level of detail, we call it high-detail resin. However, the maximum printing size at i.e. materialise is limited to 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm.

Material Needed in 3D Printer Resins

• 3D Printer Resins, like SLA and DLP style, use liquid resins to create objects. The options vary between manufacturers but are typically broken into a few categories:
• Standard resin often comes in clear, white and gray colors. It’s excellent for creating prototypes or small desktop gadgets but not sturdy enough for final products.
• Tough resin is often used in professional settings and engineering applications. These resins are more physically resistant than standard resins, making them ideal for higher impact uses.
• Medical-grade resin is for a variety of medical fields—from making hearing aids to creating custom dental work.

Buyers Guide: Important Points Needs to Consider

Safety Features –

You can never be too safe when it comes to working with hot electrical equipment. Keep an eye out for safety features that will help your 3D printing experience—this includes things like automatic nozzle cooling when a print is complete. If the 3D Printer Resins has a heated bed, look for a feature that automatically shuts it off when a print job ends. Avoid damaging prints with excess filament by retracting the nozzle automatically when a print is either paused or complete.

Print Resume Functions –

There’s nothing worse than ruining a beautiful print halfway through its completion. Print resume features make sure that your creations aren’t interrupted when unexpected pauses occur. Instead of starting over, your print job will resume where it left off.

Quality User Interface –

A quality interface can take your 3D printing experience from extraordinary to mind-blowing. Don’t waste time trying to navigate a menu with a rotary knob when you could be using a touch screen interface. These aren’t limited to the expensive printers. Even the most affordable FDM3D Printer Resins come with a touch screen UI.

Heated Bed –

Once you’ve tried a heated bed, you really can’t go back. The first few layers of your prints are critical to the foundation of your final object. A heated bed ensures this foundation is well-formed, solid, and sticking in place. Finding the ideal temperature differs between filaments but you can find the sweet spot by experimenting.

Axis Adjustability –

Fine-tuning your printer often involves tightening or loosening the tension on one of the 3 main axes. Look for a 3D Printer Resins with easy access to belt tension adjustment. This will save you time otherwise spent removing components and making adjustments.

Tips for Using 3D Printer Resins

Save loads of time searching for 3D Printer Resins with these tips alone.

Know what you want to print: Before you buy 3D Printer Resins, it helps to know what you want to print. There’s a huge gap between 3D printing gadgets for your desk and industrial-scale production parts. Consider how often you plan to print, where you will use the printed objects, and how much time you’re willing to invest when printing.

Identify your ideal 3D Printer Resins style: Many hobbyists use what’s known as a Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printer. These 3D Printer Resins extrude hot materials and plastics, known as filament, to create 3D-printed objects. Other styles use vats of liquid resin when printing—this includes Digital Light Processing (DLP), Stereo lithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) which actually uses powder instead of resin.

Look for safety features: 3D Printer Resins with safety features are generally well-designed. For example, an FDM printer might cool the nozzle and heated bed once a print job is complete. Some 3D Printer Resins move the nozzle away from the object when you pause the job or the print finishes—preventing heat damage and excess filament from forming.

Look for high-quality features: It’s easy to overlook a few high-quality features that can totally change your 3D printing experience. Keep an eye out for things like touch screen user interfaces, dual filament support, and heated glass beds. Even something as simple as build volume, or how much room you have to print, can make a 3D Printer Resins worth the investment.

Don’t forget resolution: 3D Printer Resins resolution is measured in microns—with FDM machines on the lower end of 25 microns and resin based printers on the higher end around 100. The resolution of your final print is easily adjusted on an FDM 3D Printer Resins. The layer height and belt tension are the most important factors when it comes to smooth printing. 3D Printer Resins are limited by the precision of their laser. Look for a3D Printer Resins that’s easy to adjust with a higher number of microns listed in the specs.

Find a brand with good support: Before locking down your 3D Printer Resins purchase, take a look at the manufacturer’s customer support system. Does the company have a professional support system in place or just a Face book group? This can make or break your printing experience if something goes wrong.

Uses of 3D Printer Resins

1. Outdoor objects –

These items need to withstand the forces of nature. If you’re going for an outdoor print, like lawn decorations or plant pots, you want to use something like ABS which won’t break down in the sun as easily as PLA or PETG.

2. Artwork – While it is possible to make some beautiful artwork with an FDM 3D Printer Resins, your best is to consider investing in a 3D Printer Resins—these are designed with detail and intricacy in mind.

3. Tools – When it comes to printing tools, it really depends on where the application is. With enough infill, ABS prints on an FDM 3D Printer Resins can be really substantial. But if you need something in a professional setting, an FDM 3D Printer Resins might not cut it.

4. Professional products – Manufacturers often take advantage of 3D Printer Resins to create original components. You can find 3D-printed objects in a wide variety of industries—from automotive and aerospace to dentistry. It’s more common to find 3D Printer Resins in a professional setting.

Conclusion:

3D Printer Resins are more affordable than ever, but you still shouldn’t spend more than you have to. Know what you want to print and use that to set the expectations for your new 3D Printer Resins. Look for high-quality features like a heated glass bed, larger build volume, and an easy-to-use user interface.

A quality printer includes a quality support system and sometimes built-in security protocols. Research the experiences of others when reviewing a potential printer. With a little effort, you can easily find the perfect 3D printer at the right price.