We are able to provide for all your 3D printed needs in small to extra large size parts in a verity of materials from plastics, to plastic wood mixes, clay to chocolate.

What is 3D printing? Also known as digital fabrication or desktop fabrication. It’s a process of creating real objects created from an original design usually a file called a .stl ( Standard Triangle Language). The 3D printer prints the design layer by layer in many different materials and forms a real object.

3D Printing services offered:

We can create your 3D design .stl file for you from a scan, from the original part you would like a copy of, from a photo or a drawing.

3D printing technologies available: 

SLS (selective laser sintering), FDM (fused deposition modeling) & SLA (stereolithograhpy) are the most widely used technologies for 3D printing. Selective laser sintering (SLS) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) use melted or softened materials to produce layers.

3D printed materials available in the UK:

Most economical 3D Printer materials…

PLA (Polylactic Acid) – PLA is the most common safe materials. It’s an environmentally friendly material  is a biodegradable thermoplastic that has been derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar canes.

ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – ABS similar to PLA but has more flexibility. Its common for things like kids toys and lego.

PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol Plastic) – PVA not to be confused with the glue. Certain types of printers use this material.

More costly 3D Printer materials usually for prototyping…

Polyamide – A strong and flexible material offering a high level of detail produced from a fine white powder.

Alumide – A sandy strong rigid material. Produced from a mixture of gray aluminium powder and polyamide.

Resins are used to create objects not possible using the above methods with examples like:

High detail resin – Produced from a photo polymeric liquid, ideal for small and fiddly models with high details.

Paintable resin – These offer a printable smooth surface.

Transparent resin – Produced from a liquid that hardens offering a very rigid strong  transparent product. Best for a smooth, transparent quality product.

Other Materials

Some metals and ceramics are also being used in 3D Printing, here are a few examples:

Titanium – Produced using a titanium powder that’s sintered together by laser.

Stainless steel – Produced using a stainless steel powder that’s infused with bronze material.

Bronze – Produced using a bronze powder that’s infused with bronze.

Brass, Silver, Gold – These are produced by creating a wax mould which is then filled with the molten material.

Ceramics – These can now be produced using a verity of methods. This blog article provides further details on ceramic 3d printed options.

Foods – This is a very new area with the most common materials currently being, sugar chocolate powder and protein powder.

Contact us for a quote.