Fabricate
After creating a digital model of your product, the next step is to transform that design into physical form. It's important to create physical prototypes early on so you can get more tangible feedback on your designs and iterate efficiently.
In this section you'll find everything you need to know about 3D printing materials, technologies and best practices for high quality prototypes.
Table of Contents
Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that cures a photo-reactive resin using a UV laser to bind layers together.
Multijet technology (MJM), also know as polyjet, is very similar to desktop inkjet printer, however rather than dispensing ink, the machine dispenses a single layer of photopolymer material.
Selective Laser Sintering uses high-powered lasers to sinter powdered material, binding it together to create a solid structure.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technology commonly used for modeling, prototyping, and production applications.
Nylon is a synthetic polymer 3D printing material that offers great flexibility and strength. Consider using this material if you need elasticity and don't have small, delicate features.
VeroWhite is a high resolution 3D printing material that's excellent for checking your prototype's fit and accuracy:
ABS-Like is a digital photopolymer that's great for simulating ABS plastics with higher temperature resistance and toughness.
Rubber-Like is a digital Polyjet 3D printing material produced by Stratasys. It's great for simulating overmolds and rubbers with different durometers (hardness).
VisiClear is a 3D printing material that's stiff and durable. It's also great for fine resolution parts and parts with organic geometry.
This guide is designed to you help you become familiar with our online tools for 3D printing.
Short on time? Check out this quick 2 min video on how to upload your files for a quote:
PLA is a great 3D printing material for early stage prototyping on simple geometry parts, made out of biodegradable corn starch.
We get a lot of questions on the best methods for fastening different 3D printed components.
The advent of 3D-printable transparent materials has opened doors to new possibilities with rapid prototyping for optical applications.
When it comes to 3D printing clear parts, it’s important to understand the clarity options available to you.
There are 4 main types of 3D printing technologies: FDM, SLS, SLA, and Polyjet.
If you're not sure which 3D printing material is the best one for your project, here's a decision tree to help you choose.
This CNC material is a low cost engineering plastic widely used for pre-injection molding prototypes. Easy to machine, glue, and paint.
This is the most widely used aluminum alloy, perfect for prototyping and production. Versatile, easy-to-machine, and weldable.
Delrin 150, also known as POM, polyoxymethylene or acetal, is a plastic material used in CNC machining, with high rigidity and strength.
Known for a having a hardworking and meticulous nature, Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
CNC machining is one of the most widely used pro
3D printing has penetrated its way into almost ever
Before the days of CNC, machinists made parts purely based on 2D drawings.
While the tool marks left on metal parts produced using CNC machining are visually appealing to some, in many cases, some additional post-processing may be desired or even required.
In this article we’re going to look at different finishing methods for FDM and PolyJet 3D printed parts and the techniques and tips that can elevate the look and feel of your prototypes.
We recently launched our new CNC machining
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is a language of symbols and standards designed and used by engineers and manufacturers to describe a product and facilitate communicatio
The flexibility in adjusting plastic mechanical properties makes much of our technological advancement possible, from being able to produce fuel-efficient jumbo jets with high strength, t
While engineering drawings are a great way to communicate design intent for