The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right 3D Print Filament
3D print filament
There are numerous types of 3D print filaments to choose from, each with their own set of characteristics. The choice can be overwhelming, but it's important to pick the right one for your needs.
What is 3D print filament?
3D print filament is a spool of plastic that is used to create 3D models in a 3D printer or other additive manufacturing device. It comes in a wide variety of colors and materials, including polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and more.
3D printers have revolutionized the way we make things. No longer do you need to spend weeks or months on a project, you can now print it out in a matter of hours. But if you want to get the most out of your printer and be able to print with as many different materials as possible, then you're going to need some 3D print filament.
If you've never used 3D print filament before, then choosing the right one can be a little confusing. There are so many different types and brands on the market that it's hard to know which one is right for you.
In this guide we'll talk about what makes a good filament and how to choose between all the different options available. We'll look at the different types of filaments available and why they each have their own uses. Finally, we'll talk about where to buy 3D print filament so that you don't have any problems getting hold of it when needed!
It’s no secret that 3D printing is a technology that’s growing exponentially. According to Wohlers Associates, the industry is estimated to reach $21.1 billion by 2020. With this much money being invested in 3D printing, it’s important to know where you should be buying your filaments from, and what makes a good filament.
3D printing has been around for several years now and has come quite far since its inception. The technology offers a lot of advantages over traditional manufacturing processes like injection molding, but it still has some limitations. One of these limitations is material properties – while printed objects can be made with many different types of materials (including metals), they often lack the strength or durability of their counterparts made by traditional means.
This may not be an issue for most applications, but there are certainly cases where strength and durability are vital factors when choosing a material for printing an object that will be used on an everyday basis or subjected to heavy use.
As with anything else, there are many different types of 3D printer filaments available on the market today; each with their own set of pros and cons when compared against one another.
When choosing the right 3D print filament, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The first, and most obvious, is what type of printing you plan to do. For example, if you want to print with ABS plastic and have no interest in printing with nylon or other materials, then you can stop reading this article and go straight to Website to purchase your filament.
However, if you're interested in experimenting with different materials and learning about what's out there for your 3D printer, then read on!
The first thing to consider is the size of your 3D printer. Different types of printers require different diameters for their extruder heads. For example, if you have an older RepRap Mendel-style printer whose extruder head has a 1.75mm nozzle diameter, then any 1.75mm filament will work just fine — but if your printer has a 0.4mm nozzle diameter or larger (like most modern FDM printers), then only 2mm filaments will work with it.
3D printing is a hot topic right now, and it's not hard to see why. The ability to create real-world objects at home is truly revolutionary.
But with so many different filaments available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your printer. Here are some tips on how to pick the best 3d print filament for your needs:
1. Know Your Filament
To get started, you'll need to know what type of filament you need. There are two main types of 3D printing materials: ABS and PLA. ABS is more flexible than PLA and also more durable — but it has problems with warping during printing due to its low melting point (200°C). PLA can be used at higher temperatures (240°C) without warping, but it tends to be less flexible than ABS and less durable too. Both materials can be used for a wide range of applications, though some plastics are better suited to certain jobs than others (for example, PLA is usually better suited for artistic projects).
2. Consider Your Object's Purpose
The first step in choosing a filament is determining what you want your object to do. For example, if you're making an object that needs to be strong, you'll want a material that has high tensile strength (the ability to withstand pulling forces). If your object needs to be flexible or elastic or have good electrical conductivity (such as for use in circuits), then look for those properties in your filament.
3. Consider Your Object's Surface Finish
Your object's surface finish depends on its purpose and how much detail you want it to have. For example, if you need something that looks smooth and shiny — like jewelry or figurines — opt for PLA or ABS plastic filaments over harder ones like PVA or PETG because they tend not to print as well on most printers.