Hey, if you want to stick on plastic, I would prefer SLS and PA12 or if budget allows, PA11. To achieve accuracy, processing is the right way. Meaning to do, like you did, printing the part, measuring and if it’s not good to reprint, but it must be in the same technology, material and machine

This is a screenshot of Xometry Pro, where you can find nice design tips for every Tech

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing

Hey Pulido, thanks for your question! PP is a very rigid material. Better to take a Nylon to have a good clip function. In the datasheet it is the value elongation of break, which needs to be higher. Unfortunately FDM is a Tech where it is weaker in Z-direction. For a proper part, I would choose MJF or SLS and Nylon 12. Nylon 12 is also available in FDM, but with lower properties

Hey hi, spray painting you can find under finish, like here:

I think there will be issues in CNC, especially because of the small corner radii. This part looks more for me like an EDM part. Question is, if not it will not be too pricey then…

Hi Andreas,

my favorite here is Nylon. It has a very low coefficient of friction.

Beside there are also some special materials. But the price difference is huge.

BR

Hi Frederico,

nice to meet you and thank you for your question.

For a humid environment it would help to have a closed surface. In MJF we have a postprocessing, called vapour smoothing which seals the surface completely.

It is not so successful with PP. But PA12 in MJF could be a good solution here.

If necessary we could you also a printing in ISO 13485. This would be in SLS and PA12.

Hope this answers your questions.

best regards

Hello,

the diameter of the laser could be even smaller, but for tolerances a couple of parameters plays a role. Still this is s.th. we take into account and our general tolerances are +/- o.1-0.2mm

here you find more information:

https://xometry.eu/en/laser-cutting/

For numbering and engraving, we would need a drawing with all technical information and a dxf file separate to have this clear, as you said.

For the hole size, it is recommended that the diameter of the hole should be equal or more than the thickness of the sheet metal.

In your example it works, but in addition we can also offer a combination of manufacturing processes.

In all you don’t have to worry, just to provide your technical information, so we can check what is possible.

BR

Dear Heinrich, vapor smoothing for FDM 3D prints is indeed good for smoothing out layer lines. You may just want to keep in mind that it will also affect the dimensional accuracy of the part quite a bit, because the process dissolves the outer shell of your print. There are various grades of vapor smoothing, and in the highest grade, the process will dissolve details and sharp edges.

If you need a preliminary finish to smoothen the surface before painting for instance, then sanding with grit sandpaper (150, 220, 400) is an option. Please note that it is not suitable for intricate surfaces and small details.

And finally, you can also apply an epoxy coating – it is suitable for all FDM thermoplastics. It smooths out any remaining imperfections and also adds a layer of resin to the printed part that fills the gaps.

Hi and thank you for your question! For serial production or higher quantities we prefer MJF and PA12. It withstands heat easy above 100°C and more. For an overview and other options, we also have an interesting article here:

10 Most Heat Resistant 3D Printing Materials

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by Nikolaus Mroncz.
• This reply was modified 10 months, 3 weeks ago by Uliana Krayneva.

Hi and thank you for a good question. Normally the question is what is the difference in industrial and standard. Standard is using Desktop machines, industrial, industrial machines. But the resin, is it so different? Not really! They could be quite similar! To see how much they would differ, you can click on the link below the material. This will lead you to the datasheet.

For this, please try our Instant Quoting Engine. You can upload the part on our website and see immediately the price, also if you change the technology. It depends on volume and design of the part, so not to answer, the one or the other.

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by Nikolaus Mroncz.

PETG is a strong material and also good in elongation at break, but be aware that in FDM the properties in Z – direction are always weak. So in practice, it would be not so much dependable and weaker in Z- direction then the suggested above.

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by Nikolaus Mroncz.

Dear,

SLS parts are good for painting. 

You can also order spray painted parts directly at Xometry, what I also think, is the best option to achieve a constant result.

Dear michele.gennaro,

we can produce food compliant parts in SLS and PA12 or PA11.

Gladly I can provide you an example of an certificate before your order, showing it is also compliant with EU regulation.

Just leave a message in your inquiry, so I can provide.

The right choice on our webside would be SLS/ Nylon Food Grade

Dear 3D Geek,

in MJF you can print flexible parts in TPU. We use 2 different ones here: Esthane TPU and BASF Ultrasint. Esthane has shore 95 and Ultrasint shore 88. If you prefer one of them, please add this to the comments, if you order. To have it water resistant, you need to add a post processing, which would be vapour smoothing. It works best with Ultrasint.

BR

Dear Kris.Mel,

thanks for your question.

In SLA we recommend a wall thickness of min 0.6mm for unsupportive walls.

More information you can find here:

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Design Tips

Infographic: Design Rules for 3D Printing

The roughness of a surface depends on a variety of factors, including the design of the part, the manufacturing process used to create it and the manufacturer. Even if you select a 3D printing technology with a supposedly great surface finish, the parts might still present some stepping marks or have a slightly curved surface, causing a decreased surface roughness quality.

You can keep in mind that the MJF process produces a less porous surface compared to SLS, and has a smoother texture. And as you said, a near-perfect poreless surface can be achieved in both MJF and SLS thanks to post-processing operations like vapour smoothing and bead blasting.

There are two types of surface finishes available for parts printed with nylon (with either SLS or MJF technologies):

• Post-processing operations that aim to smooth the surface of the parts, for example, vapour smoothing, bead blasting or media tumbling
• Colour finishes to better customize the parts, like dyeing and spray painting

Both categories are mostly applied for aesthetic purposes. We have a detailed overview of surface finishes for 3D printing on the website, as well as a page dedicated to Nylon PA 12:

Surface Finishes for 3D Printing

Nylon 12 / PA 12 (SLS, MJF)

Designing for CNC machining requires careful consideration to optimize the process for efficiency and high-quality results. Here are some critical design tips:

• Material Selection: Choose the right material for your application, considering factors such as strength, durability, and machinability. Common materials for CNC machining include aluminum, steel, brass, and various plastics.
• Tolerances and Clearances: Specify clear tolerances for dimensions and clearances for fit and assembly. Tighter tolerances can be more precise but may increase costs, while looser tolerances can be more cost-effective for less critical features.
• CNC Tool Selection: Work closely with your CNC machinist to select the appropriate cutting tools and toolpath strategies. The right tool and cutting parameters can significantly impact the surface finish and production speed.
• Avoid Overly Complex Geometries: Keep your design as simple as possible. Complex geometries with many sharp corners or intricate features can increase machining time and costs. Simplify where feasible.
• Internal Fillets and Radii: Use internal fillets and radii for sharp corners. This not only improves part strength but also makes machining smoother and less prone to tool breakage.
• Tool Access: Ensure that the tool can reach all areas of your part without interference. This may require modifying the design to avoid deep pockets or narrow channels that the tool can’t access.
• Machinability: Consider the machinability of the material. Some materials are more challenging to machine than others, which can affect tool wear and machining time.
• Avoid Undercuts: Minimize or eliminate undercuts in your design, as they may require additional setups and increase complexity.
• Part Orientation: Think about how the part will be fixtured and oriented during machining. Design features should allow for efficient clamping and minimal deflection during cutting.
• Draft Angles: If your design includes molded or cast features, incorporate draft angles to facilitate easy removal from the mold or die.
• Surface Finish: Specify the desired surface finish on critical surfaces. This can help the machinist select appropriate tooling and machining parameters.
• Avoid Thin Walls: Thin walls can be fragile and prone to distortion during machining. Ensure that wall thicknesses are adequate for the material and part function.
• Counterbore and Counterbore Depths: Use counterbores to create recesses for fasteners. Ensure proper depths for screws, bolts, or other fastening components.
• Deburring and Edge Breaks: Design parts with edges that are easy to deburr, as sharp edges can be a safety concern and increase labor requirements.
• Communication with Machinist: Maintain open communication with your CNC machinist. They can provide valuable insights into optimizing your design for efficient machining.
• Prototyping and Testing: Before proceeding with a large production run, create prototypes to test your design. This can help identify potential issues and improve the final product.

By following these design tips, you can help ensure that your CNC machining project is cost-effective, efficient, and results in high-quality parts that meet your specifications and requirements. Collaborating with experienced machinists and manufacturers is also key to achieving the best results in CNC machining projects.

In Europe, specifically from suppliers like Metalex in the UK, aluminum 6061 is available in a wide range of thicknesses. The stocked thicknesses start from 1/4″ (6.35mm) and go up to 330mm (8 inch). This includes a variety of specific sizes in between, such as 8mm, 20mm, 1″ (25.40mm), and goes up to substantial sizes like 305mm and 330mm, catering to a broad range of industrial needs. The aluminum plates are available up to 4000mm x 2000mm in size.

If you are looking for 3D printing materials in UL 94 V-0, with highest grade of flame-retardancy, then FDM ULTEM 1010 and ULTEM 9085 are the most suitable ones. PA 2241 FR is another UL 94 V-0 suitable option if you’re considering SLS as a printing technology. For FDM, ABS industrial-grade is also flame-retardant 94 HB (with the lowest grade in the UL 94 classification).

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Nikolaus Mroncz.

When combined to HP MJF technology, PA 12 is indeed water-resistant. But if you want to be 100% sure that the material is watertight (and not just water-resistant), we recommend you to apply a vapour smoothing finish to the PA 12 printed parts.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Nikolaus Mroncz.