You can learn 3D printing using our 3D Printers! The term "3D printing" is actually quite vague and is used to describe various technologies which are defined by currently expiring patents. We will list some common ones below as we gather more experience.

If you are new to the subject, this introductory guide by 3D Hubs is worth a read! An overview of the parts is given in this 3D printer anatomy video.

You may also find our collection of 3D printing ideas interesting. Did you know one of our printers can print several colors/materials at once?

There are two big German speaking communities: 3D-Druck-Community and the German Reprap forum (many English subforums available, too).

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF/FDM)

All of our printers work by depositing molten plastic layer upon layer, a process which is called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) in the open source RepRap community or Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) in most commercial contexts. We support the idea of open source fabrication and therefore call it FFF in this wiki.

Advantages

• fast creation of prototypes or finished models
• easy to use (also for inexperienced people)
• simple post processing if any
• various materials possible

Limits

• no printing in the air

"Islands" of the model that start without any material contacting it can't be placed since there is nothing to hold onto. In these cases a sacrificial support structure has to be printed first. These structures are also needed when the overhang of a slope becomes too steep (around 45 °C for most materials and machines) or when printing a horizontal bridge. Better cooling and adjustments to speed and flow rate can improve the performance. In the best case support structures can be avoided since they add material cost, print time and can be a real pain to remove depending on the location and settings for the contact layer.

• nozzle size determines the maximum achievable resolution

The line width doesn't need to be the exact size of the nozzle since over/under extrusion through speed and flow rate can also influence the line width. The layer height can also be adjusted inside the slicer. Nonetheless, smaller/bigger nozzles extend the range possible and make it easier to harness the advantages such as e.g. stronger parts with a 0.6 mm nozzle.

Currently, all our printers are equipped with 0.4 mm nozzles.

• anisotropic

The model is stronger in the layer direction compared to the connection between the layers. This connection also makes the model not permanently water proof.

Recommended Literature

• 3D printing guide by 3D Hubs
• Basics of 3D printing by Josef Prusa (ebook)
• 3D-Druck für alle by Florian Horsch from Heidelberg
• Bambu Lab Academy by Bambu Lab

Stereolithography (SLA)

None of the current printers in the space work with this technology but some members own such a machine (e.g. LabCrow).

They work similar to FFF/FDM printer since they also produce the model layer by layer. In this case the used material is not a thermoplastic but a photosensitive resin that is polymerized through UV from a high resolution display enabling higher accuracy and the print of finer details. The hardened material is moved with the buildplate from the display so that new resin can fill the gap and create the fresh layer.

Advantages

• higher accuracy and print resolution
• faster prints possible since a whole layer is printed at the same time
• properties of duroplasts and similar to vulcanized elastomers possible
• isotropic
• waterproof

Limits

• smaller build area/ volume

Since there needs to be a high resolution display across the whole print area, the print volumes is generally smaller than FFF/FDM machines, or dramatically more expensive.

• no printing in the air

"Islands" of the model that start without any material contacting it can't be printed since there is nothing to remove it from the display. In these cases a sacrificial support structure has to be printed first. These structures are also needed when the overhang of a slope becomes too steep (around 45 °C for most materials and machines) or when printing a horizontal bridge. It is best to avoid support structures since they add material cost and can be a real pain to remove depending on the location (be wary of "jumping" parts).

• post processing

Because a liquid material is used the model needs to be cleaned and cured (UV post processing) to harden the surface. This post processing is, besides the unpleasant smell, the reason why it's not used in the space.

• no infill

While FFF/FDM can use infill inside solid parts, the liquid could not escape from these cavities so only true solids or hollowed objects can be printed. The later is preferred because too thick of a print can warp and crack and uses a lot of material.