In 3D printing, “fill” (infill) refers to the internal grid or pattern inside an object that helps provide structure and strength without making it completely solid. This saves material and reduces printing time while maintaining the required strength. The choice of filling depends on the intended use of the printed object:
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Low Percentage (10-20%): Suitable for decorative objects that will not bear significant loads. Saves time and materials.
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Average Percentage (20-50%): Provides a good balance between strength and material use. Ideal for functional parts that must withstand some load.
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High Percentage (50-100%): For objects requiring maximum strength and durability. Consumes more material and extends printing time, but is necessary for parts under high stress.
Before choosing the right material, it is important to consider the purpose of the object.
- PLA: Ideal for prototypes and decorative objects, easy to use, but limited in strength and heat resistance.
- PLA Extra Strong: Provides more strength than standard PLA, suitable for objects that require more load.
- PLA Silk: For objects with a silky, glossy finish; aesthetically pleasing but comparable in strength to standard PLA.
- PETG: Strong, durable, and flexible, resists chemicals and heat, good for functional parts.
- TPU: Highly flexible and elastic, ideal for parts that need to bend, such as phone cases.
- ASA: Similar to ABS but with better UV and weather resistance, suitable for outdoor use.
- ABS: Strong and heat resistant, perfect for functional parts that withstand loads, requires a heated print bed.
- PA-CF (Nylon): Combines high temperature and chemical resistance with exceptional mechanical resilience and excellent dimensional stability. The nature of the fibers ensures that the parts remain very strong and extremely rigid.
The choice depends on the requirements of your project, such as strength, flexibility, finish and exposure to environmental factors.
In 3D printing, the “layer height” plays a crucial role in balancing print quality, speed and material usage. Layer height refers to the thickness of each layer that makes up a 3D printed object. A smaller layer height results in higher resolution and surface smoothness, but increases printing time and therefore cost. The effect of different layer heights is explained below:
Layer height of 0.2 mm: This is a standard layer height for many 3D printing applications and provides an excellent balance between speed and quality. It is suitable for most everyday printing tasks, including larger objects or parts where finishing is important but not critical. This setting allows users to print faster and save material without making significant compromises in structural strength and visual aesthetics. It is an excellent choice for general use.
Layer height of 0.15 mm: This layer height provides a good balance between surface quality and printing efficiency. It is often used for functional parts that require both a good finish and structural integrity, such as utensils, housings for electronics and non-load bearing mechanical parts. It offers a significant improvement in print time compared to 0.1 mm, while still maintaining a good level of detail and surface smoothness.
Layer height of 0.1 mm: This is a very fine layer height, ideal for objects where detail and surface finish are paramount. It is perfect for small, intricate models such as jewelry, miniatures or parts with fine details. However, this setting leads to longer print times and higher material usage, since more layers are needed to build up the object.
We use the graduated rates below, if you want to print large objects we can also provide a custom quote.
Number of pieces Order |
Discount on order |
3 |
5% |
10 |
10% |
25 |
15% |
50 |
20% |
100 |
25% |
250 |
35% |