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This post deals with the Raft, Skirt and Brim elements, which are three additional printing components that can be configured during lamination and are generated automatically.

After the extruder stops pulling filament, pressure remains in the nozzle, causing molten plastic to continue flowing until pressure equalizes. This results in droplets and fine threads on the part surface. To mitigate this, FFF 3D printers utilize a mechanism called retraction.

The hotend is, together with the extruder, one of the most important parts of a FFF 3D printer. Although at first glance it may appear to be one of the simplest elements, it is one of the most complex, as it has to achieve optimum thermal performance.

The extruder is the element responsible for pulling the filament into the hotend in such a way that sufficient pressure is generated inside the hotend so that the molten material flows constantly and homogeneously through the nozzle.

In any FFF 3D printer, the stepper motors are indispensable. Their task is to position the print head, as well as to pull the filament in the extruder. The most common problems involve the power driver or the connection

The printing temperature of a given filament depends not only on the type of material, but also on the printing conditions. Printing speed, nozzle diameter, extruder type or the distance between the extruder and the hotend have a considerable influence on the optimum printing temperature

The final quality of the printed parts is strongly influenced by the quality of the raw material used in the production of the filament, as well as by its conservation. This is because the more homogeneous and constant the filament properties are, the more uniform the extrusion will be and the better surface quality the final part will have.

During printing, high-temperature extruded plastic shrinks as it cools. Materials like PLA have low shrinkage (0.3%-0.5%), while others like nylon 12 can shrink up to 2%, and PVDF up to 4%, leading to deformations in parts.

The hotend is probably the component of the FDM 3D printer that requires the most maintenance. This article explains the maintenance guidelines to keep it in good condition to ensure good print quality and minimise the risk of failure.

When designing and preparing parts for 3D printing it is very important to take into account the resolution limit of our equipment. It is advisable to avoid elements with a smaller size, as the printing quality of these elements will be very low and in many cases, the laminating software itself will omit them.

The advances that have taken place in recent years have allowed many companies to have 3D printers in their facilities for the manufacture of prototypes or final parts. This article outlines the advantages of this manufacturing method for prototyping and how to choose the right technology according to the requirements of the application.

The manufacture of furniture using 3D printing offers numerous advantages for both designers and end users. This article unveils some of the possibilities offered by this manufacturing method in the furniture sector.