3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
57
votes
9 answers

How do I give 3D-printed parts in PLA a shiny smooth finish?

The surfaces of my printed parts using PLA plastic look rough and uneven. Would changing filament to a better one make any difference? If not, what kind of methods can I use to achieve a smoother finish for my for 3D-printed objects?
kenorb
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41
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7 answers

When to use 1.75 mm vs 3 mm filament?

Why do we have two standard filament sizes, 1.75 mm and 3 mm? Does it really make a difference when printing? Or is the 1.75 mm just for smaller printers? In what situations should I be using 1.75 mm? When should I be using 3 mm?
Matt Clark
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39
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5 answers

How is PLA different from ABS material?

What are the main differences when using ABS over PLA and vice versa?
CJK
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38
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2 answers

How to recycle filament material from printed parts?

Is it possible to re-use ABS or PLA filament material from printed parts? If so, what is the techniques to reform it?
kenorb
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35
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6 answers

What air filtration options exist for enclosures?

Given the emissions that 3d printing gives off (ABS = styrene and other chemicals, PLA give some off, etc), what options are there to filter the air in the enclosure other than venting the air out of a window? More information on the chemicals 3d…
Chase Westlye
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35
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7 answers

Will 3D Printed Dice Be Fair?

Is there anything to the process of 3D printing that might make the dice unfair/land on a specific side more frequently? Or will any imperfections be negligible, thus making the dice fair? I'm more concerned about making a d20 than anything else, so…
Jaich
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34
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4 answers

What are the advantages of gyroid infill?

I've seen a few print time-lapse videos lately which use gyroid infill: wavy lines, which deform across layers so that the waves end up alternating between the two axes. Other than making the time-lapse videos look much cooler, what are the benefits…
Dan Hulme
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32
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7 answers

Designing clips that won't break

As my first project, I'm trying to design a holder for glass vials, for a scientific application. The photo below shows the latest design iteration, and also shows the problem with it: As you can see, one of the clips that's meant to hold the vial…
N. Virgo
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32
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5 answers

Different infill in the same part

I´ve have read an article to change different pattern depending on amount of layers, but my question is if is possible to have different infill in the same part? For example: Base: has the infill of 25 % but the same base has some tabs for screws…
Fernando Baltazar
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32
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4 answers

Is 3D printing safe for your health?

I would like to buy a 3D printer, but I'm concerned about the health risks that are associated with its operation. Some groups of scientists say it can be harmful for humans. What do I need to consider before buying a 3D printer if I care about my…
kenorb
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31
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4 answers

Is there a G-code for waiting?

My printer has an auto-leveling feature that works by touching the build plate with the tip of the nozzle. I started using a BuildTak surface and BuildTak is damaged when you push a hot nozzle into it. So I edited the start G-code to run the…
Nir
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29
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11 answers

Why do the corners of my ABS object lift off the bed?

I print ABS on a LulzBot Taz 5 and frequently have issues with the corners of objects lifting off the bed. My extruder is at 230 °C and the bed is at 90 °C for the first layer and 100 °C for the rest of the layers. I have experimented with using ABS…
Kevin Morse
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29
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2 answers

What are main differences between rafts, skirts and brims?

I would like to understand the differences between rafts, skirts and brims. They appear in the software which I'm using to edit my 3D objects. Can anybody elaborate what are these and what are the main differences between them?
kenorb
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27
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7 answers

What is PLA+? How is it different from PLA?

Question What is PLA+? How is it different than PLA? I'm looking for science, composition, formula, safety concerns (or lack thereof), etc. Background I picked up a roll of PLA+ at Microcenter (their in-house Inland brand) because it was on…
YetAnotherRandomUser
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27
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3 answers

How do I determine the acceleration value for my printer?

When the print head changes direction, the printer must accelerate and decelerate the print head. When calibrated correctly, the printer is able to do this quickly and without causing the printer to shake too much, without drastically slowing down…
Martin
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