We present our guide of basic concepts for Filament 3D Printing, with it we can start printing figures and parts in a simple way.
3D printing with filament or FDM has become popular at home, thanks to its low costs and ease of use every day more and more users are getting one of these machines. These machines allow us to make in our home or workshop pieces with complex geometric and detailed figures. We have a large number of materials with which to work with different mechanical characteristics, we must assess all facets of our projects. We can buy a 3D resin printers if we want to work with fine detail in figures.
If you have any doubt, leave your comment in this article, and we will try to help you.
|
Filament 3D Printer Basic Operation
A filament 3D printer works through a process known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). In this type of printing, a plastic filament material (such as PLA, ABS or PETG) is fed from a spool into a heated nozzle. This nozzle is heated to a specific temperature depending on the type of material (for example, around 200°C for PLA) and melts the filament and then deposits it layer by layer on a printing bed.
The process begins by loading the 3D model into a preparation software(slicer), which converts the design into specific instructions for the printer, indicating how to move the nozzle and platform to build the object. During printing, the nozzle moves in precise patterns tracing each layer of the object, while the bed can be raised or lowered slightly to allow the build-up of successive layers. Once printing is complete, the object cools and can be easily removed from the bed, although in some cases it requires some cleaning or removal of support structures that have been generated during the process.
Filament 3D Printer Types
Filament 3D printers can be classified into several types according to their mechanical structure and the way the axes move during printing. Currently, the most popular system for home use is the CoreXY, as it requires little calibration, comes pre-assembled, is fast and allows many materials to be used.
- CoreXY Cartesian: Offers higher speed and accuracy. The motors are fixed and control the nozzle movements in X and Y by means of belts.
- Cartesian Prusa: They are the simplest, they have a structure with a mobile carriage on the X axis that carries the nozzle, and the bed moves on the Y axis.
- Delta: They have three vertical columns with parallel arms that control the movement of the nozzle in space. They are very fast and have a good level of detail, requiring precise calibration.
- Polar: Less common, these printers use a polar coordinate system instead of Cartesian. The base rotates (angular axis) and the arm extends or retracts (radius).
- Scara: has articulated arms and a print head, difficult to calibrate.
- Robotic arm: In this case we have a print head mounted on a conventional robot.
Filament 3D printing work process
The working cycle with a filament 3D printer is quite simple, unlike resin printers. The results obtained at the end can have a very high or simple detail, depending on whether we want more speed or just want a good mechanical behavior.
1. Download or Design 3D models
We can download a large number of 3D parts already intended for printing from many websites that are user libraries. It is also possible to design our own parts with any 3D software although we have simple and free options available online.
- Libraries of 3D objects: Thingiverse / Grab3D / Cults3D
- Tinkercad: Simple online 3D design software to export to OBJ or STL and then laminate.
2. Printing process
Before starting with 3D printing we have to take into account the type of filament we are going to work with, some of them need a suitable temperature in the printer cabinet. We must also check that the filament is in good condition, we must keep it in a dry place and at a suitable temperature.
- Read the specifications of the filament we are going to work with
- Clean the working bed and check the nozzle output.
- Load the filament properly and check that it flows well.
- If the material does not hook easily like ABS it is better to apply 3D Printer Adhesive to the bed.
3. Post-processing and finishing
Once the part is finished, it is usually required to remove the lines from the filament, for this there are multiple processes available that will have a different effect.
- Dry sanding. If what you need is a smoother finish, the part can be lightly sanded to flatten the filament lines. Start with coarse sandpaper (80 grit) and finish with fine sandpaper (400 grit).
- Chemical smoothing: Materials such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) can be treated with acetone to smooth or dissolve the layers of 3D printed parts, creating a smoother, more uniform surface. This method is toxic and requires gas mask + gloves for protection.
- Spray or acrylic paint. With them, we can color the figure by means of acrylic paints. Some filaments may require a previous fixing layer.
Types of Filaments
Filaments are the materials that we will use in 3D printing, we can get them in stores like Amazon easily. There are many types, each with specific properties that make them suitable for different uses.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
- Properties: Biodegradable (corn starch).
- Advantages: Easy to print at 190-220 °C, low odor, wide range of colors, low cost.
- Disadvantages: Not very resistant to heat or strong impact.
- Common use: Ideal for beginners, decorative models, non-functional parts or educational use.
- PLA : is an improved version of PLA with additives that give it extra properties.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Butadiene Styrene)
- Properties: It is synthetic and generates odors. Stronger, harder and more flexible than PLA.
- Printing temperature: Around 220-250 °C.
- Requirements: Needs hot bed (100-110 °C) and controlled environment to avoid deformation.
- Common use: Technical parts, industrial prototypes, toys, stressed parts.
PETG (Modified Terephthalate Glycol)
- Properties: Combines the printability of PLA with the strength of ABS.
- Advantages: Resistant to water, chemicals and low temperatures.
- Printing temperature: Around 220-240 °C.
- Common use: Packaging, mechanical parts, food contact, transparent parts.
Other materials
Here is a list of all the most commonly used materials and their properties (Source)
History of Filament 3D Printing
Filament 3D printing, also known as FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), was invented in the late 1980s by Scott Crump and developed commercially by the company Stratasys. At first, it was mainly used in industries to create rapid prototypes, being accessible only to large companies due to its high cost. Over time, projects such as RepRap, started in 2005, sought to democratize this technology by designing printers that could manufacture part of their own parts, laying the foundations for personal 3D printers.
Starting in the 2010s, after the expiration of key patents, many companies emerged that offered cheaper and more accessible printers, such as MakerBot, Prusa and Creality. This allowed 3D printing to reach homes, schools and small workshops, boosting the maker movement. Today, this technology is very advanced, with a wide variety of materials, greater precision and functionalities, being used for personal, industrial, medical and educational use.
