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Slant 3D Blog

Why Slant 3D Uses an FDM 3D Printing Process

8/31/2021

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In our last blog post, we went over some of the primary printing processes used in additive manufacturing. Today, we will cover why we decided to go with an FDM printing process here at Slant3D.

Materials

For starters, FDM was based off the materials used in traditional Injection Molding. The very first material used in FDM printing was Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, which is an opaque thermoplastic polymer. ABS has been the most commonly used material in Injection Molding for many years. This is a huge advantage because it means that FDM already had a huge supply chain of existing materials right away. So from the beginning, FDM had a huge materials base that it could pull from. The only thing that has to be done is the materials must be ran through a tube to create filament, which is very easy to do. This made it very cost effective to use FDM printing because there was already a huge existing materials base to use.
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Scalability

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Another advantage of using FDM printing is how scalable it is. Although 3d printing may be a somewhat slow process,  it is not hard to deploy, say, 1,000 FDM printers and be able to produce 1,000 parts at a time. This is the fundamental premise of what we have done here at Slant3D, which is scale up FDM printing by building hundreds of machines, and therefore, being able to produce a high volume of parts every single day. Other 3d printers require a lot of post processing, which means less space for printers. FDM is really the only type of 3d printer that you can use in high volume, without having to build a massive factory.

Post-Processing

Finally, one of the biggest advantages of FDM printing is it's ability to produce parts with little to no post-processing needed. Other printing processes, such as Powder Jetting or Resin, require a lot of different post-processing steps in order to get a part to its final form. A well designed part printed with FDM will be able to come right off the printer and immediately be ready to be shipped, which is pretty amazing. If a printer farm wanted to use Resin 3d printers, their warehouse would be full of washing bays and all sorts of different stations in order to prepare all their parts for shipping. With FDM, all you need are the printers.
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So hopefully this post shed some light on why we decided to use an FDM printing process here at Slant3D. The existing materials base makes it an incredibly cost-effective and convenient process. The ease of scaling up to produce hundreds, or even thousands, of parts at one time. And, the ability to pull finished parts right off the printer and ship them without having to spend hours post processing. These are just a few of the many reasons why FDM printing is the best option when it comes to mass production 3d printing, and why we have chosen this process here at Slant3D. Dont forget to check out our video on this same topic down below.
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Every Primary 3D Printing Process Explained

8/30/2021

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When it comes to 3d printing, there are typically 3 primary printing processes that come to mind; FDM, Resin Based, and Powder Jetting. In this blog post, we will go over the strengths and weaknesses of each of these processes.

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

The first process is known as Fused Deposition Modeling, or FDM. Do you remember back in kindergarten when you would roll some play dough into a snake and then coil it up to make a dome like shape? That is essentially how FDM 3d printing works. An FDM printer functions by extruding a plastic filament through a hot nozzle and slowly building the model up layer by layer. This is a very cost-effective way to do 3d printing, especially mass production 3d printing, which is why we use this process here at Slant 3D. FDM printing is also relatively quick as it requires little to no post-processing, which again, is great for mass production. 
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The biggest downside of FDM, is that it can produce parts with a somewhat rough surface finish. ​Because the material must be extruded in layers, and has a certain thickness predefined by the nozzle, high detail prints can be hard to achieve. However, in most cases, this roughness is so minute that it has no effect on the function of whatever you are printing. All in all, the FDM printing process remains as the most commonly used process in 3d printing, and for good reason. There aren't many 3d printing processes that are as quick, versatile, or cost-effective. 

Resin Based (DLP/SLA)

Any type of resin based 3​d printing, whether it be DLP (Digital Light Processing) or SLA (Stereolithography), typically all function under the same principle, using a light source to cure a liquid resin into a hardened plastic. In SLA 3d printing, a build platform is lowered into a thin layer of resin where a laser is used to draw out the first layer of the object. The laser hardens the resin and the build platform is then raised back up so a new layer of resin can be added. This process repeats until, layer by layer, the object is finished.
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​Resin based parts offer the highest accuracy and best resolution, in terms of surface finish. These parts will be the most similar in quality to traditional injection molded parts. The drawback of resin based printing is that it requires a lot of post-processing. Once the parts are printed they must be washed in isopropyl alcohol to remove any uncured resin from their surface. Then, the parts must go through a post-curing process to help them reach their maximum amount of strength and stability. Finally, supports must be snipped away and the remaining support marks must be sanded down to the desired surface finish. To sum up, resin based parts are great for small scale projects that require a high quality, smooth surface finish. However, it is not very conducive to mass production due to the high amount of post-processing required.

Powder Jetting

Much like resin based printing, powder jetting has many different types of processes that fall underneath it but they all work under the same basic concept. An industrial printhead selectively deposits a liquid binding agent onto a thin layer of powder. This powder then hardens and a new layer of powder is added so the printhead can deposit more binding agent and process repeats layer by layer until the object you are printing is finished. When its all said and done, your part is embedded in the powder like a fossil in the dirt. Then, you dig out your finished product, wash off the excess powder, and then put the parts through a ​post-curing process to strengthen them. 
The biggest advantage that powder jetting has over almost all other printing processes, is its ability to print full color options. By mixing plaster-based powders with colored liquid binding agents, the printhead can seamlessly switch between different colors, thus giving you near full control of the color of your product. Another big advantage is that powder jetting doesn't require any supports. This means less post-processing time and less material wasted on supports. On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage is part strength. Even with post-curing processes, parts created with powder jetting are not as strong as parts created through other printing processes.
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Conclusion

In conclusion, each of these printing processes have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Some, like FDM, are better suited for large scale production. Whereas others, like resin based, are more suited for small scale, high quality parts. Selecting the right printing process comes down to accessing the advantages and limitations of each technology to your products most important requirements. Although there is no one size fits all solution, properly utilizing 3D printing technology throughout your product's development will reduce design risk and, ultimately, result in better products.

​Happy printing.
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How 3D Printing can use the Same Material but give it Different Properties.

8/27/2021

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One of the strongest qualities of 3d printing, particularly FDM 3d printing, is it's ability to take the same material, with the same properties, but make the part itself behave very differently.
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Figure A
For example, both products in the above image are made from the exact same material, TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). They are both a 95A durometer TPU which is a fairly reasonable stiffness, about as stiff as a pencil eraser. However, when printed, the product on the left came out about the same stiffness as a pencil eraser, whereas the one on the right is much more flexible and soft (Figure B). The reason behind this is is because with 3d printing we're actually able to change the macroscopic structure of the part, thus allowing them to have very different qualities. In Figure C, you can see how the product consists of a lot of little strings stacked up on top of one another, making it very soft and flexible.
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Figure B
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Figure C
With 3d printing, we are able to vary the hardness of any parts that we print, all the way from fully solid to super flexible
and anywhere in between. This is absolutely impossible for any other machining process because this type of structure
is impossible to build with traditional Injection Molding. 3d printing gives you the ability to control the properties of the part while still using the same kind of limited inventory of materials. So no matter how odd your product may be, look into 3d printing as a way to get the exact specs that your product needs to function properly.
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How to Build a Print Farm...Without Actually Building a Print Farm

8/25/2021

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Generally speaking, building a print farm can be a pretty expensive investment. Starting out, you would need to buy anywhere from 10-20 machines and scale up your farm from there. But, 10 machines, at around $500 each, would result in pretty high upfront costs. So how can you get the scale of the printing farm to where you can produce 100's or even 1000's of pieces, without actually having to buy all of those machines?

Well that's why 3D printing farm services such as Slant 3D were created, so that as businesses are scaling up, instead of having to invest all that money into machines, they can just use the service to grow their customer base and be able to support those orders as they increase. Then once they hit those milestones and generate more revenue, they can then begin to buy more machines and begin printing in-house. This is a huge benefit because an internal print farm gives you much quicker control of the design, as well as, allows you to control your supply base. This limits the amount of delays and supply chain issues you may run into otherwise.
Using a printing farm service allows you to scale at a rate you never could have before. It's the difference between having 800 machines at your disposal, or the 10-20 machines you might have starting out. So if you want to build a print farm, without actually building a print farm, look into a 3D printing service like Slant 3D to help ease that transition phase.
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3D Printing Vs Injection Molding: An Overview

8/20/2021

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For over a century, polymers have been used in the manufacturing process to produce parts via injection moulding and 3D printing. From the initial injection moulding machines through to modern day 3D printing, the concepts have continued to progress throughout the decades to enable industries all over the world to drive production.

Since 1872, injection moulding has been used to mass manufacture a wide range of products, using a version of polymers that were specifically invented for use in the initial injection moulding machines, some of which are still in use today.
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Fast forward to 1980 and Hideo Kodama filed the first 3D printing patent. His patent described a rapid prototyping system that used UV light to harden photopolymers. However, Hideo’s idea was largely overlooked, and it took until Chuck Hull patented his version 4 years later, for the real birth of 3D printing as we know it.

3D printing has initially struggled to replace injection moulding as the method of choice for manufacturers well versed with the traditional methods, until now that is! Now large scale 3D Printing farms, such as Slant 3D, are able to match injection molding on cost, speed, and scale.

To understand how 3D printing can enable mass manufacturing rather than injection moulding, it is important to understand them both and how they compare against each other.

What is injection molding (IM)?

Not long after the Industrial Revolution, American inventors John Hyatt and his brother Isaiah, enhanced the efficiency of mass production by conceptualising injection moulding. The machine used a plunger to inject melted plastic into a mould and enabled the first major manufacturing process in plastics engineering technology.
Products such as buttons and hair combs were some of the first to benefit from the birth of IM. As the technology continued to evolve, more and more industries began to benefit from it, and is still used for mass-manufacturing today.

What is 3D printing and how is it used in additive manufacturing?

In simple terms, 3D printing is the process of creating a three-dimensional solid object from a digital file.
When Photocentric began their journey in 2002, 3D printing was not at all ideal for mass manufacturing, it was expensive and proprietary, and it would take another decade before 3D printing would start to enter mainstream additive manufacturing.

Early patents started expiring and 3D printing innovation began to revolutionise manufacturing processes. At Slant 3D we have been able to develop fleets of 3D Printers are that are able to work together to reliable product 100,00's of parts at a at a time.

Examples of 3D printed products

Slant 3D's production 3D Printing Farms have enabled manufacturers from a variety of industries to deliver a wide range of 3D printed products to market, including toys, medical devices, automotive parts, PPE, stationery, industrial spare parts, figurines and many more.

As we have a team of in-house engineers, and research developers we are able to produce machines and materials to suit the requirements of numerous industrial challenges.
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From prototyping to performance, Slant 3D has access to polymers to produce perfect results.

3D printing materials

Slant 3D has souced and created range of materials to suit different requirements, from flexible to castable, we have engineered materials to match the requirements of the market.

Our range covers industries such as ESD safe, aerospace, automotive, industrial, fashion and more. Each material has a unique quality, making it ideal for the individual industry.
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Textures and finishes

Early 3D prints were lacking in the quality finish that was required to compete with injection moulding. However, working with software specialists, we have changed the face of additive and now offer the ability to apply almost any surface finish to a part

Enabling manufacturers to upload their own logos, textures and customer-ready finishes. The solution also offers access to more than 5,000 different texture surface structures – truly revolutionising part design and production!

Why choose 3D Printing over injection molding?

  • Flexibility – 3D printing offers an increased design flexibility over injection moulding, as any design is possible and can be amended continuously to ensure the best result.
  • Complexity – You can 3D print unique structures at ease, whereas injection moulding does not offer the same complexity of design.
  • Customisation – With 3D printing it is simple to change designs or customise to suit the needs of the project, without the retooling costs involved with injection moulding.
  • Speed – 3D printing has a rapid turnaround time, from concept to creation is instant, a design file can be printed in hours, whereas injection moulding requires the initial investment and time to get to a printing stage.
  • Set up – 3D printing simply requires a printer and material to get going, injection moulding requires a lot more time, effort, energy and expense to get going.
  • Material Costs – 3D printing can reduce material costs with the introduction of strong and stable lattice structures, to get the same results as solid injection moulded ones.
  • Considerations of 3D printing and injection moulding!
  • Post-production – A 3D printed part will need time to cure afterwards to ensure its strength and uniformity. However, with injection moulding, you may need to spend similar smoothing out surface flaws.
  • Infrastructure – As Injection moulding has been available for over a century, there are more options currently for the manufacturer. However, the options are growing for 3D.
  • Mass production – Once an injection moulding process is set up, you can produce tens/hundreds of thousands of the same part and the more you print, the more valuable injection moulding becomes.
  • However, 3D printing offers design freedom and allows you to make changes and offer a tailored solution to each customer.
  • Speed of printing used to be another factor that would go in the favour of injection moulding. However, now with Photocentric’s patented LCD printing technology and the LC Magna print capacity, the 3D printing process has vastly sped up and large batch production is a reality. 

Cost comparisons between 3D printing and Injection Molding!
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There are many variables to consider when it comes to cost comparison between 3D printing and injection moulding. In brief, 3D printing with Slant 3D will be a cost-effective manufacturing alternative to injection moulding for any orders up to 500,000 parts.

The more parts made, the more injection moulding may be beneficial to 3D if there is no customisation or design optimisation required. As standard parts may be made cheaper per part with injection moulding. Once the initial set up costs are taken into the equation, materials are often cheaper than with 3D printing.

Although a major cost saving with 3D is within the set up. 3D printing has relatively low set up costs associated, as once you own the machinery there is little additional costs. However, injection moulding requires the design and manufacture of each mould.

However, the real saving value is time, and the cost saving here really depends on the value of time to your business. 3D printing enables business to go to market quicker and this is a value we cannot calculate for you. With 3D printing it is usually the case that you can produce a working prototype in a few days rather than with injection moulding where you are looking at a few months.

3D printing instead of injection molding conclusion

In conclusion, although injection moulding has been around for a lot longer and was the only means of manufacturing 3D plastic parts for over a century, 3D printing has established itself as a genuine alternative.
3D printing now offers increased opportunity in mass manufacturing of plastic products than ever before. Offering more flexibility of design than you do with IM and produces less waste too.
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It is important to consider the setup costs, time to get to market and material cost when choosing between injection moulding and 3D printing. Contact Slant 3D today if you are keen to understand the real benefits of choosing 3D printing over injection moulding, and you could be transforming your business before long.
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