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Large 3D Prints

Dwight Mitchell • 25 August 2022

What to Look for When Buying Large 3D Prints - 3D Printing is One of the Most Exciting Technologies of Our Time, But Which Approach is Right for You?

Large-scale 3D printing is the process of creating objects that are much larger than those produced by desktop printers. If you’ve ever seen a 3D printed car, airplane, or another large-scale object, then you know what we mean. The materials and processes used for this type of production are not as simple as desktop 3D printers, though. Because of this, there are some things that you should consider before purchasing a large-scale print from your manufacturer. Now let’s see what details should be kept in mind when choosing large 3D prints from your manufacturer.

What is the Build Volume?

The build volume of a printer refers to the maximum size object that it can print. It’s important to know the size of this volume, as this will determine what you can 3D print. If you are looking for a printer with a larger build volume, then you’re in luck. There are companies that can produce objects with volumes up to 20 cubic feet! This means that they can produce large parts without any issue. If you want to find out more about this, then keep reading our article. We will talk about the details of choosing large 3D prints at the end of it.

How Much Does It Cost?

Large-scale 3D printing is an expensive process that uses advanced technology and materials. Because of this, it costs more than desktop 3D printing does. The cost depends on many factors, such as material type and time it takes for your printer to finish its work. The cost also depends on your location as well because some countries have different prices for printers and materials than others do. If you are interested in knowing more about this topic, then don’t hesitate to read our article till the end because we will talk about them at the end of it!

3D Printing Materials Matter

The materials used in the printing process are what ultimately determine the final product. Many types of large-scale 3D printing, including stereolithography, use photopolymers that cure with UV light. Other processes, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), use thermoplastics that are heated to a high temperature before extruding the material. There is a wide range of properties and characteristics of the materials used for large-scale 3D printing, and not all of them are suitable for every application.

Some materials are more brittle, but others are more flexible. Some cure into a rigid material, while others are more rubbery. You will want to find a manufacturer that produces the type of material that you need. Some materials are more suitable for outdoor use, while others are better for indoor applications. Some materials are more suited for cold temperatures, while others can be used for a wide range of outdoor conditions.

The Right Size Matters

You may be surprised to find out that the size of the object is not limited to the build platform. Depending on the process that is used, and whether the object uses supports or not, the finished part may be larger than the build platform. In stereolithography (SL) printing, the finished part is limited by the build platform. The SL printing process requires a vacuum to be created in the space above the build platform so that the photopolymer can cure properly. If the object is too large, it will not fit within the vacuum and will not be able to be printed correctly.

If the part is too large or requires too much material, the manufacturer may charge you a fee per extra cubic inch of material used. Some manufacturers may charge you a fee for each part that goes beyond the build platform. If the object is too small, there may not be enough material to properly print the part. The printer may not have enough material to create a strong object, and supports may be necessary to make sure that the object stays together during the printing process.

The Right Time Matters

When you are setting up a 3D printer, you have to consider when you want your product delivered. Many people looking for 3D printing services need their product in a hurry. This means that you will have a limited time frame in which the manufacturer has promised delivery of your product. If you do not meet the deadline, there is no guarantee that they will keep their promise and continue with production of your order. Some manufacturers require deposits on orders before they will begin production, so it is important to know if this is how they operate before placing an order with them.

Automatic Platform Scaling Can Be a Good Thing

Some manufacturers build their 3D printers with a movable build platform. While this does add some extra cost, it may be worth it for certain applications. The movable build platform can allow the manufacturer to scale the print up or down. It may also allow the manufacturer to print multiple parts on the same build platform at the same time. If you are purchasing a large-scale 3D print and want one of each part, the movable build platform will let the manufacturer print multiple copies of the same part on the same build platform.

You should be careful, though, if you want unique parts. The movable build platform will allow you to scale the part up or down, but it may not allow you to print each part in the exact location on the build platform that you want.

Check Out the Print Specs and Dimensions

You should check the specifications and dimensions of your print to make sure that it will fit where you want it to go. If your print is going to be used outdoors, make sure that it is made out of a material that will stand up to the elements. If your print is going to be used indoors, make sure that it has a finish that will not make it slippery or dangerous to walk on. If your print has moving parts, make sure that it has the right amount of clearance to prevent it from binding up. If your print will be used to store or transport something, make sure that the size is appropriate for the object that you have in mind.

Check Out the Support Material

Some parts will need support material to be printed in order to help them print properly. This can be a problem if you want to create a part that is hollow, or if you want your part to have an internal space. You should see if the model you are printing has support material included and how it is designed. You may need to use another software program like Meshmixer or Netfabb Basic in order to remove the support material from your model before proceeding with your 3D printing process.

Types of Large-Scale 3D Printing

There are several types of large-scale 3D printing that you can choose from. Here are a few of the most common types. SL - Stereolithography - This process uses a vat of photopolymer liquid that is exposed to UV light to harden the liquid and form the part. The vat is filled with a liquid that is sensitive to UV light and will cure when it is hit with the correct wavelength of light. The UV light source will move around the vat to harden the liquid and create the part. The completed part is removed from the liquid using a lift mechanism.

FFF - Fused Filament Fabrication - FFF uses an extrusion process just like desktop 3D printers use, except on a larger scale. A thermoplastic is heated to the point where it becomes a liquid. The liquid is then fed through a heated spool and is extruded out of a heated nozzle. This droplet of plastic is then laid down on a platform and shaped with a build plate before cooling and hardening. SLA - Stereolithography Apparatus - This process uses a photopolymer that is cured with an ultraviolet laser.

The laser passes over the surface of the liquid to harden the photopolymer. The laser is held in place above the vat and rotates around to create the part. DMLS - Direct Metal Laser Sintering - This process uses a powder that is held together with an energy source. The energy source may be a laser or an electric current that is applied to the powder. The powder is then stacked and fused together to create a part.

Check Out the Printer Company’s Reputation

Ideally, you want to find a company that has been around for a while and has a good reputation for producing high-quality parts. You can for instance check if the manufacturer is a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), or if they’re certified by a recognized testing organization.

It’s also a good idea to look at the manufacturer’s website to see what kind of parts they offer. You can also read customer reviews and testimonials to see what people think about their experience working with the company. Good manufacturers will be transparent about the materials they use and will provide detailed information about their products. They should also be willing to provide samples or prototypes to help you evaluate their work.

Have a Clear Idea of What You Want

When you’re looking for a 3D printer manufacturer, you need to have a clear idea of what you want. The company will be able to provide you with everything from the design of the printer to the materials that they use. However, they can’t come up with an idea for a part on their own. Therefore, you need to have an idea of what kind of parts that you want them to create for you. This will help them make a more accurate estimate and ensure that they’re able to deliver exactly what you want.

Find Out What Materials They Use

You also want to find out what materials the manufacturer uses and how they are processed. Depending on your needs, there may be certain materials that are better suited for your project than others. For instance, if your project requires high levels of strength or durability, then metal parts may be a better option than plastic ones.

Other factors like cost and ease-of-use should also play into your decision as well. You may also want to find out whether or not the material is recyclable or biodegradable so that it can be disposed of easily once it reaches its end-of-life stage. If possible, ask about the manufacturer’s recycling program and how much recycled material is used in their products. This will help ensure that your product has minimal impact on the environment when it is disposed of at the end of its life.

Questions to Ask About the Manufacturing Process

Find out how the manufacturer will produce your new parts. Will they use a mold or will they make them by hand? If so, find out what kind of machines they are using and how often they are used. This will help you determine whether it is a high-volume operation or if it is just a small workshop that produces parts on an as-needed basis.

You also want to find out what materials are used in the manufacturing process and what processes are used as well. If possible, ask about any special equipment that may be needed for your project, such as specialized welding equipment or machines for bending metal. This will help you determine whether you can have the parts made in this particular facility or if you’ll need to look elsewhere for those services.

How Long Do They Need?

One of the most important questions to ask when talking with a manufacturer is how long it will take to deliver your order once they receive it from you. Depending on your deadline, this may be very important because certain manufacturers can deliver products much faster than others and therefore may be better suited for your project if time is critical. Find out exactly when they expect to deliver your order once it leaves their facility so that there aren’t any surprises later on down the line and that everything goes according to schedule without delays due to unavailability at one point or another in the manufacturing process.