Limitations of 3D Printing

Unsupported Shapes:

3D printing struggles with creating designs that have parts sticking out without any support underneath. Imagine trying to build a bridge in the air without any pillars - We use support material for this, which is removed after printing, however it can leave a rough surface behind.

Small Details:

3D printers have trouble accurately making very tiny details, like intricate patterns or tiny parts. It's like trying to draw a tiny, fine line with a thick marker - the smallest we can go is 0.4mm

Different Materials,

Different Strengths: The type of material used for 3D printing affects how strong and flexible the final product will be. So, some designs might not work well with certain materials. Click here to learn more about material choice.

Visible Lines:

Since 3D printers build objects layer by layer, you might see lines on the surface of the finished item. It's like seeing the stacked layers of a cake.

Size Matters:

There are limits to how big you can 3D print something, depending on the size of the printer. Large items might need to be split into smaller parts and assembled later - The largest size we can do is 250mm by 250mm

Orientation is Key:

How you place your design when printing can affect how strong it is and how it looks. It's like finding the best position to build a sandcastle so it doesn't collapse.

Takes Time:

3D printing can be slow, especially for complex designs. It's like creating a detailed artwork with tiny brush strokes – it will take longer.

Mixing Materials Can Be Tricky:

Using different materials in a 3D print can be challenging, so designs with multiple materials need special planning.

Despite these limitations, 3D printing is still an amazing technology with lots of potential for creating cool and useful stuff. As people learn more about it, they can work around these limitations and make even better designs!