You're ready to invest in 3D printing accessories. Which ones will give you the biggest bang for your buck?

Investing in a quality nozzle is paramount for optimizing your 3D printing experience. The nozzle, responsible for extruding melted filament onto the build plate, plays a pivotal role in print accuracy, speed, and surface smoothness. Opt for a durable material such as brass, steel, or tungsten carbide with a precise diameter matching your filament size. Experimenting with different nozzle sizes and shapes allows for customization, enabling you to achieve finer details, faster printing speeds, or smoother surface finishes.

A new and upgraded nozzle can greatly increase the capability of a 3d printer. For example: upgrading from a brass nozzle to a steel one allows for printing composite filaments that include glass or carbon fiber. Additionally, a new nozzle with a larger diameter can be used for quickly printing large objects with superior strength.

Le choix des buses pour l'impression 3D dépend de plusieurs facteurs, tels que le matériau d'impression, la résolution souhaitée, la vitesse d'impression, etc. Les buses standard ont généralement un diamètre de 0,4 mm, mais d'autres tailles comme 0,2 mm, 0,6 mm, ou 0,8 mm sont également disponibles. Un diamètre plus petit permet une meilleure résolution, mais cela peut augmenter le temps d'impression. Certains revêtements spéciaux, tels que le revêtement en téflon (PTFE), peuvent aider à réduire l'adhérence du matériau à la buse, facilitant ainsi l'impression.

Ce consommable nécessite d’être régulièrement nettoyé avant l’impression pour une utilisation durable. Réaliser un nettoyage à chaud puis à froid pour retirer les résidus. Utiliser également une brosse métallique pour nettoyer l’extérieur de la buse car pendant l’impression ces résidus externes pourraient affecter l’extrusion.

A high-quality hotend can improve print quality and allow for a wider range of filament compatibility. Consider all-metal hotends for printing with high-temperature filaments like ABS or PETG.

Considered an essential accessory, a heated bed contributes significantly to successful 3D printing. This platform, which reaches a controlled temperature, ensures that your prints remain warm throughout the printing process. This is especially crucial when working with materials prone to shrinkage, such as ABS or nylon. A heated bed minimizes the risk of warping, cracking, and curling, enhancing print adhesion to the build surface. Depending on your 3D printer model, you can either have a built-in heated bed or add one based on compatibility

No hay nada más frustrante que una impresión se despegue de la cama a mitad del proceso, tener una cama con temperatura regulada disminuirá casi a cero la posibilidad de que tus modelos se despeguen y pierdas valioso tiempo y material.

Oui c’est une option très intéressante mais pas la plus indispensable (surtout si vous imprimez principalement en PLA) Il y a d’autre méthodes pour augmenter l’adhésion indispensable à la qualité de l’impression.

Le lit chauffant est essentiel pour l'utilisation de matériaux aux propriétés plus avancées pour des utilisations réelles et robustes sur le terrain. L'ABS, entre autre, porte fidèlement les qualités du bloc Lego et ses propriétés sont difficile à rivaliser, en particulier le fusionnement par solvent et sa machinabilité. Ce type de matériel est impossible à imprimer sans un lit chauffant adéquatment ajusté. Le lit chauffant permet l'ajout de plaques d'impression en borosilicate afin d'offir un premier rang impeccable et lisse. Le jumelage d'un lit chauffant et de tablier de verre de borosilicate augmentera significativement vos succès d'impression, votre vitesse de production et votre choix de matériaux.

Essential for printing with materials that have a tendency to warp, like ABS. A heated bed keeps the first layers of your print warm, reducing warping and improving adhesion to the build plate.

The cooling fan in 3D printing rapidly cools down freshly extruded filament to maintain its shape and prevent issues like stringing and warping. It's crucial for print quality, especially with materials like PLA. Upgrading the fan can improve airflow and cooling efficiency, leading to better prints.

Enhance your print quality with the addition of a cooling fan, a valuable 3D printing accessory. This device directs airflow onto your prints during the printing process, expediting the cooling and solidification of layers. Particularly beneficial when using heat-sensitive materials like PLA or PETG, a cooling fan reduces issues such as sagging, stringing, and blobbing. Its strategic placement, either attached to the extruder or mounted on the printer frame, ensures preservation of print shape, detail, and layer adhesion.

This is particularly useful for printing in materials like PLA. A cooling fan helps to rapidly cool the material as it's deposited, improving print quality and detail.

A variable flow rate cooling fan is advisable for optimum cooling. Ensure there is pre filter to avoid contamination. Select a suitable nozzle to ensure laminar flow to cover the area to be cooled. Keep the entire printing volume properly protected from external dust, temperature variations and humidity.

Importance of a cooling fan is high for certain prints. A cooling fan helps with overhangs and improves print quality. Bang for Buck is Moderate. Essential for certain filament types, less critical for others.

When it comes to investing in 3D printing accessories, one often overlooked yet crucial component is a filament dryer. Many users may not be aware of the significant impact that moisture can have on filaments. The reality is that almost all polymers are hygroscopic, meaning they readily absorb moisture from the environment. The presence of moisture in filaments can lead to issues like poor layer adhesion, filament breakage, and bad print quality. Investing in a filament dryer not only addresses the hygroscopic nature of filaments but also ensures a consistently dry material. By eliminating moisture, you pave the way for smoother and more reliable printing processes, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of your prints.

Calliper is really important for fast n reliable measurements That helps to design functional parts with good speed n accuracy This is what will help one to get 3d printer working in a direction that it must be

Extend the lifespan and performance of your filaments with the inclusion of a filament dryer in your 3D printing toolkit. This device, capable of heating and dehumidifying filaments, eliminates moisture that may accumulate over time. Moisture-induced degradation can lead to issues like brittleness, dullness, or unevenness in your filaments, resulting in printing complications. Filament dryers are available as standalone units or as boxes that fit over filament spools, accommodating varying sizes and capacities.

Ensure the filament dryer does not heat up or make the filament too cool ! Provide for suitable outlet for the moisture to escape ! Ensure the process does not increase vibration and noise !

Independente da região que se viva, o polímero tem a incrível capacidade de absorção da humidade encontrada no ar e por conta disso se mal armazenados, podem gerar imperfeições nas peças impressas. Um ótimo investimento que com certeza resolve esse problema é investir em um bom secador de filamentos, um equipamento realmente útil que irá te permitir extrair o máximo do polímero ao qual se está trabalhando.

A maioria dos “makers” usam a impressora 3d como passa tempo e muitas vezes desconhecem o uso do paquímetro, por conta disso quando fecham um trabalho que necessita de precisão não obtém sucesso. Por conta disso investir em um paquímetro descente “ qualquer um que não seja de plástico” é primordial para a construção de modelos sólidos e precisos.

Integrating a caliper into your 3D printing arsenal provides invaluable assistance in measuring and adjusting prints and settings. This precision tool facilitates accurate measurements of dimensions, thickness, and diameter for both prints and filaments. Calipers play a crucial role in verifying print accuracy, ensuring quality, and calibrating essential settings such as extrusion multiplier, flow rate, and nozzle diameter. Whether digital or analog, a caliper proves to be an essential tool for meticulous 3D printing.

For precise 3D printing, accurate measurements are key. A caliper will help you ensure that your print dimensions are exact, which is essential for parts that need to fit together.

Most 3d printers are now built with heated beds, and have decent cooling fans, and even nozzles. You can print scrapers and other helpful tools, but someone who is modeling, especially for specific uses will HAVE to have precision measurements for proper tolerances (proper fit). Calipers are a cheap and wonderful addition to your 3d printing work station.

An electronic digital caliper with a resolution of 0.1mm is very helpful in taking physical dimensions of your 3D printed items/parts so you can compare with the dimensions of your 3D model in software. This would help you in making adjustments for precision/accuracy and using GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) for parts fitting into an assembly.

Simplify the print removal process with the inclusion of a scraper in your set of 3D printing accessories. This tool, equipped with a thin, flat, and sharp blade, effortlessly slides under prints, lifting them off the build plate without causing damage. A scraper saves time and effort while minimizing the risk of injuries associated with alternative removal methods. Available in metal or plastic variations, the choice depends on the hardness and flexibility of your build surface, ensuring a seamless print removal experience.

El rascador es una herramienta que puede parecer innecesaria pero que después de tenerla no entiendes cómo has podido imprimir en 3D sin ella, te ahorrarás un monton de tiempo en una de las tareas más aburridas del proceso, además de cuidar apropiadamente la cama de tu impresora.

A scraper is a good tool to remove left over Filament from your Build Plate in combination with Spring Steel printing pads. Those Spring Steel printing Pads are a good Investment and will help you to remove your 3D Print with the ability to bend the print surface. They even prevent you damaging your finalized 3D Print or the pad itself with a scraper.

Paradoxal hein Il faut une bonne adhérence et du coup il nous faut un grattoir pour la sortir à la fin sans l’abîmer. Cet outil sera votre amis pour ne pas casser une pièce qui adhère trop bien 😂

You can also print one of these ! Way cheaper than buying one, and won't damage your build plate. You can find plenty of models for scrappers online, even some with replacable edges.

When it comes to batch production, investing in a good post-processing setup such as dyeing, an industrial paint booth, or a polishing setup can make a significant difference in product experience and yield the highest return on investment.

Investing in 3D printing accessories for optimal performance includes upgrading the hotend, using a reliable build surface, employing versatile nozzles, maintaining a filament dry box, adding auto bed leveling, improving print cooling with upgraded fans, installing an enclosure for stability, incorporating silent stepper motor drivers for noise reduction, and having a comprehensive toolkit. Compatibility with your 3D printer model and specific use cases is essential. Prioritize these upgrades based on your printing goals and project requirements.

I would invest more in establishing evaluation methods and increasing recognition of 3D printing/additive manufacturing as a manufacturing technique than in hardware/software. This can also be described as collaboration with certification authorities - i.e. for the aviation industry, these include EASA, FAA, and JCAB, and for the maritime industry, such as DNV, ABS, and Class NK. It may no longer be called as investments, but I think it is inevitable in reducing the time it took for other manufacturing methods to gain recognition. There exist some but more cross-company, border and industrial approach should be taken. I am now involved in the maritime industry, and the case of MMMC is an initiative that is close to my point.

For high engineering plastics use a inclosed print chamber. So the temperature will be more stable and draft cannot interfere with the print.

No single new accessory is truly going to improve your print quality or efficiency. However, new parts and accessories in addition to spending time calibrating and optimizing your printer in it's current form will bring you better quality and greater efficiency in the long run.