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3D Printing Service | The Ultimate Additive Manufacturing

Main 3D Printing Services At Firstmold

As the name suggests, rapid prototyping involves the swift production of one or a few parts at the start of a project. To achieve fast and cost-effective prototyping, we utilize four advanced technologies: CNC machining, rapid tooling, 3D printing, and urethane casting. For details on our CNC machining and rapid tooling services, please refer to the respective pages. Below is an overview of our 3D printing and urethane casting capabilities.

  • Rapid turnaround times
  • Enables concurrent manufacturing of multiple parts
  • Accessible technology for startups and small businesses

Design Guidelines for 3D Printing Techniques

3D printing part sizes：

 

FDM200 x 200 x 200 mm for desktop printers, up to 900 x 600 x 900 mm for industrial printers
SLA145 x 145 x 175 mm for desktop printers, up to 1500 x 750 x 500 mm for industrial printers
DMLS/SLM250 x 150 x 150 mm, up to 500 x 280 x 360 mm
SLS300 x 300 x 300 mm, up to 750 x 550 x 550 mm
MJF380 x 285 x 380 mm

Supports in 3D printing

Supports are a type of structure of a part, that can help to prevent deformation and secure the part to the printing bed during the 3D printing process. Can you print without supports and when do you need that? Yes, you can 3D print without support. Take the FDM 3D printing as an example, when a feature is printed with an overhang of more than 45 degrees, it may sag enough to destroy the part, at this point you need a support structure. In another case, bridging allows parts to be printed without the use of support material and with minimal sag because hot materials can be stretched out. But if the bridge is longer than 5 mm and you need a good surface finish, a support structure is required. In addition, SLA and DLP 3D printers generally use supports.

Part orientation in 3D printing

Another critical parameter in 3D printing manufacturing is the part orientation, which refers to the way in which the part is in contact with the build plate, it has an impact on the accuracy, time, strength, and surface finish of a 3d printed product. The best build orientation would be different in various examples, however, here are some tips that may be helpful for choosing the way of the part orientation.

  • Find the face that can provide the best adhesion to the build plate and the highest stability.
  • If the product needs to be subject to stress, then it should be oriented to ensure the direction of the minimum applied stress is parallel to the build direction, which is usually the vertical direction.
  • Be clear about the build volume of the 3D printer.
  • FDM prints are easier to delaminate and fracture in the Z direction than in the XY direction when subjected to tension.
  • Orient the part to make overhangs of less than 45° are minimized.
  • In the vertical direction, cylindrical features print more precisely than in the horizontal.

Dimensional accuracy in 3D printing

The dimensional accuracy refers to how accurate the size and form of the printed part are compared to that in the CAD design. Factors that affect dimensional accuracy include material quality, equipment, post-processing, and more. Dimensional tolerance, shrinkage, and support requirements are three key elements to measuring dimensional accuracy. Below are the dimensional tolerance of different 3D processes.

 

FDM dimensional toleranceprototyping (desktop):±0.5% (lower limit:±0.5 mm), industrial:±0.15% (lower limit:±0.2 mm)
SLA dimensional toleranceprototyping (desktop):±0.5% (lower limit:±0.10 mm) industrial:±0.15% (lower limit:±0.01 mm)
SLS/MJF dimensional tolerance±0.3% (lower limit:±0.3 mm)

3D Printing Plastic Materials Guide

 

ABSTough, strong, durable, heat-resistant, cost-effective, flexible, reusable, not biodegradableCar bodies, appliances, and mobile phone cases
PLAEasy to work with, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, available in resin and filament with a variety of colorsFood packaging, biodegradable medical devices and implants
PVAWater-solubleOften use to create a support structure for portions of a product that may warp or collapse
PPAffordable, chemical resistant, flammable, and degrades with UV lightHousehold containers, lab equipment, and textiles
Nylon/PAStrong, lightweight, durable, heat and impact-resistant, but not resistant to strong acids and basesApplications that require high mechanical properties and functional prototypes
PEICan withstand high heatInjection mold tools and heat-resistant components
PCHeat resistant up to 135 °C, durable, impact and shatter resistant, moderately flexible, transparent, electrically non-conductivePrototype windows and other clear products
PMMA/AcrylicGood impact strength, comparable clarity, and UV absorption propertiesAutomobile headlights, commercial aquariums and other alternatives to glass
CPVCHigh heat distortion temperature, chemical inertness, dielectric, and flame and smoke propertiesChemical processing, power generation, semiconductor, wastewater treatment
PEEKWear-resistant, good weight-to-strength ratio, high thermomechanical propertiesMedical custom-made implants, devices, aerospace and automotive parts
PETGHigh impact resistance, excellent chemical and moisture resistanceCompliant mechanisms, water bottles, electronic enclosures
TPUFlexible, abrasion-resistant, resistant to impacts and many chemicalsSporting goods, aerospace and automotive
PETP/ErtalyteHigh dimensional stability, mechanical strength, low moisture absorption, physiologically inertThin films, containers for liquid drinks

3D printing surface treatment

3D printing surface treatment refers to the process of forming a layer on the surface of 3D printed products that has different mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. The main purpose of 3D printing surface treatment is to meet the requirements of the product’s corrosion resistance, wear resistance, decoration, or other special functions. 

Common 3D printing surface treatment methods include sanding, polishing, sandblasting, painting, etc.