Minimal wall thickness varies depending on the 3D printing machine used and the material chosen for the part. For the printer, if you choose extrusion-based 3D printing, your possible dimensions will depend on nozzle size. For powder-based 3D … [Read more...] about What is the minimal wall thickness for 3D printing?
FAQs
FAQ: For fiber weave reinforced materials, what is the maximum fiber length and level percent by weight?
There are few hard limits there. Researchers are finding that you can do a lot of different, clever things with the material. If you're looking at a powder process, fiber length needs to be less than the diameter of the powder you're working … [Read more...] about FAQ: For fiber weave reinforced materials, what is the maximum fiber length and level percent by weight?
FAQ: Can powder-based Selective Laser Sintering processes be used to build large parts?
There’s a class of parts Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is very appropriate for. For large builds, it can be a challenge because of powder-bed capacity. You will need more powder than the part you will build will use. Then there is the issue of … [Read more...] about FAQ: Can powder-based Selective Laser Sintering processes be used to build large parts?
FAQ: How does the strength of 3D printed materials compare to that of other materials such as aircraft aluminum?
Material properties with a typical 3D printer are usually based on the layer-by-layer deposition of the material. Thus, in general, printed objects will be stronger on the XY axes and a little weaker along the Z axis. There are exceptions and there … [Read more...] about FAQ: How does the strength of 3D printed materials compare to that of other materials such as aircraft aluminum?
FAQ: Can I use anyone’s filament or powder in my 3D printer?
The answer is, it depends. The history of 3D printing includes a time when engineers turned away from using these devices because they could not deliver a quality built part. Vendors went back to the drawing board and designed new printers, using … [Read more...] about FAQ: Can I use anyone’s filament or powder in my 3D printer?
Are 3D printed medical devices covered by insurance or can they be covered by insurance?
There are several groups looking into this and studying it right now. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is sponsoring a group that is working on those type of insurance codes that could be used. But as of this date, it's a little bit unknown. … [Read more...] about Are 3D printed medical devices covered by insurance or can they be covered by insurance?
What does a process validation look like for additive manufacturing for a medical application?
Process validation would vary substantially case-by-case and product-to-product. But process validation is used any time you can't fully verify your process and additive manufacturing kind of falls right in that bucket. Typically, process validation … [Read more...] about What does a process validation look like for additive manufacturing for a medical application?
Is post processing required on printed parts?
Post processing can be essential to certain 3D printed parts. Depending on the technology used, the goal of the project, and what materials were used in the printing of your object post processing can be crucial to the form, fit, or function of your … [Read more...] about Is post processing required on printed parts?
3D Printer Resolution: What Can I Expect?
You can find 3D printers and additive manufacturing systems that meet many resolution needs, although there are limits as to just how fine a resolution you can have. In general, look for the minimum feature size for the XY plane and then look for the … [Read more...] about 3D Printer Resolution: What Can I Expect?
What non-solvent smoothing options are available for 3D printed parts?
Several non-solvent based methods exist for finishing parts, including manual hand sanding, painting, and other manual methods. One of the best ways is to use a tumbling system, which gives a smooth finish to 3D printed parts. Tumbling uses the same … [Read more...] about What non-solvent smoothing options are available for 3D printed parts?
