3D Printing Materials

Fiberlogy, a Polish 3D printing filament manufacturer has launched a new 3D printing material. FiberSmooth is a filament made from polyvinyl butyral (PVB). FiberSmooth allows 3D prints to be post-processed to a smooth and glossy finish. Post-processing the PVB polymer with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) either via an ‘IPA bath’ or vapor finishing, dissolves the outer edges leaving a layer-free surface.   The filament is designed for use with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) (aka Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)) 3D printers. FDM or FFF  is a type of 3D printing technology where a plastic wire is melted and extruded by a nozzle onto a build platform. This layer-by-layer process leaves the surface of the 3D print uneven. To eliminate the uneven surface, a solvent such as IPA can be used. IPA as a solvent dissolves the uppermost layer that hardens the structure and blurs the boundaries in between layers.  A Fiberlogy FiberSmooth 3D…    read more 

This week, The Virtual Foundry (TVF) is announcing an interesting new product, an FFF Metal 3D Printing Evaluation Kit.  The package includes a completed metal part and all of the consumables required to 3D print your own metal part. You will need access to a filament based (FFF/FDM) 3D printer. If you don’t have access to a kiln, you can send it back to The Virtual Foundry and they will sinter it for you and send it back. How The VIrtual Foundry’s Filamet Evaluation Kit works. Image via The Virtual Foundry. Over the past 7 years The Virtual Foundry has earned a reputation as a flexible, ultra low cost method of 3D printing metal, glass and ceramic parts. Their approach is different from systems like those from Desktop Metal and Markforged. The Virtual Foundry maintains an open architecture philosophy with open lines of communication and a sense of community.  The…    read more 

As the 3D printing market continues to expand, the demand for 3D printing materials with advantageous properties has grown with it. This, in turn, has driven the development of a wide variety of new material categories, brought to market to address specific applications, one of which is flexible 3D printing resins.  For its part, Dutch photopolymer manufacturer Liqcreate specializes in developing high-quality resins for SLA, DLP & MSLA/LCD 3D printing in the range of 385 – 420 nm. In recent years, the firm has developed many engineering, jewelry, prototyping and dental materials, which continue to be enjoyed by its customers around the world.  Leveraging this accumulated expertise, Liqcreate’s engineers have now put together the below guide, which seeks to advise users on their flexible resin options, and offer tips on the best way to improve both their technical knowledge and print quality.  Identifying the ideal TPU alternative  Due to their…    read more 

3D printing material developer and service provider CRP Technology has developed end-use parts for several exotic limited edition sports cars, it has been revealed. Designed as part of the ‘Iconic Brands’ initiative, these retaining duct, pipe, wiring system, and aero components are said to be lighter, more durable, and yield greater downforce, in a way that makes them better capable of withstanding high-speed applications, and enables them to make supercars quicker on-track.  While the firm hasn’t disclosed the identity of the clients behind them, it says 3D printing the parts from Windform RS has helped users unlock “outstanding endurance and aerodynamic performance.”  Oil circuit supply and intake pipes system of gearbox. Image via CRP Technology. CRP Technology’s motorsport pedigree   Founded in the heart of Italian Motor Valley in 1996, CRP Technology is primarily known as the developer of Windform materials. However, what’s less well-known is that the company was established…    read more 

Sustainable 3D printing material developer Filaret is working with Estonian authorities to recycle discarded cigarettes from the country’s beaches into filament.  As part of an initiative rolled out at local government level in Estonia’s capital Tallinn, special litter bins have been installed along some of the city’s beaches, in which the public are being encouraged to discard cigarette butts. In two months’ time, Filaret says it plans to return, and convert any waste collected from these into a new eco-friendly, compostable 3D printing material.  “I hope that these special cigarette bins will help to reduce this widespread marine litter,” said Tallinn Deputy Mayor Joosep Vimm. “What makes the project particularly interesting is that, in addition to just collecting the cigarette butts from the beach, they will be upcycled into compostable 3D printing material, thus reducing the problem of plastic waste.”  A Filaret cigarette recycling bin in Tallinn. Photo via Tallinn’s…    read more