How To Set Support Material Settings For 3D Printing

August 20, 2023

A guide to choosing support material settings for 3D printing, with a detailed explanation of each setting's purpose and our recommendations for what values to use. The guide also covers other slicer settings that affect overhang performance, such as layer height and part cooling.

Layer Height for 3D Printed Parts

July 13, 2023

Learn how to select the optimal layer height for your 3D printed parts, considering factors such as print quality, speed, and post-processing needs. Includes visual comparisons of prints at various layer heights to show how the layer height affects 3D prints.

Optimizing Strength of 3D Printed Parts

June 6, 2023

In this article, we cover the major factors that affect 3D printed part strength, which are 3D printer settings, material choice, and orientation of the part during printing. We explain each factor and give recommendations for how to use each factor to maximize the strength of your 3D printed parts.

3D Printing Material Options

May 31, 2023

Guide to 3D printing materials such as PLA, ABS, and PETG. Includes a comparison of material characteristics including appearance, tensile strength, complexity handling, and temperature resistance. Also discusses specialty materials such as TPU and ASA, which have unique uses for nonstandard applications. If you're trying to choose a material to use for 3D printing, this guide will help you pick from the many available options to choose the best one for your use case.

Infill Percentage for 3D Printed Parts

May 31, 2023

Learn how to choose the best infill percentage, or density, for your 3D prints, including factors such as part strength, print time, and cost. Includes visual examples of different infill levels.

Shell Thickness for 3D Printed Parts

May 31, 2023

Learn how to choose the best shell thickness, or wall thickness, for your 3D prints. Includes an explanation of what effect the shell thickness has on the resulting printed model, and our recommendations for how to configure this slicer setting for the best results.

Using Slicer Software to Print Your Own 3D Models

May 31, 2023

3D printer slicer software allows you to convert a 3D model to a file that your 3D printer can print. In this guide, we'll show you how to get started with slicer software and walk you through the most important settings to adjust to ensure successful 3D prints.

3D Printer Drive System Overview

May 28, 2023

This guide explains the key differences between Cartesian, H-Bot, CoreXY, and Delta drive systems for 3D printers. We cover how each drive system works and compare their speed, complexity, and reliability so you can decide which drive system is the best choice for you.

3D Printer Hotend Guide

May 26, 2023

This guide covers 3D printer hotends in detail and explains the hotend's role in the extrusion process. We cover how a hotend works, and the differences between standard and all-metal hotends, to help you better understand this critical part of your 3D printer.

Setting up a 3D Printer

May 26, 2023

This guide covers the basics of assembling, calibrating, and printing with a 3D printer. Whether you're getting started with a new machine or want to understand the process before buying, this guide will show you what's involved in getting a new 3D printer up and running.

Filament vs. Resin 3D Printers

May 8, 2023

Filament and resin 3D printers have different uses and capabilities. In this guide, we explain the differences between filament and resin machines to help you determine which technology is the right choice for your needs. Also includes examples of filament and resin 3D printers from budget to premium options to give you a place to start in researching specific machines.

3D Printer Print Bed Overview

April 27, 2023

Comparison of different print bed types to help you determine which type of print bed is best for your 3D printer. We explain the purpose of the print bed, what to look for when choosing a bed surface material, and show a few of our favorite print bed options.