Raft: How To Set It Up Correctly in ideaMaker

Note: This blog is originally written in Italian by Raise3D’s client 3dingrolab:

RAFT : Come impostarla correttamente su IdeaMaker

Learning the basic parameters for setting up Raft in ideaMaker.

In this article, Raise3D would like to explain how to correctly set up Raft in ideaMaker. However, to do this correctly, users need to know every single parameter well and understand how and where its effects are felt, as each slicer has its own way of processing information.

In the meantime, we will briefly explain what Raft is: it looks very much like a literal raft, which is essentially a flat base that greatly improves adhesion of the objects users want to print to the print bed, especially when using materials that tend to shrink and deform at the base during 3D printing, or for small objects that do not have a large enough area of support on the bed to ensure good adhesion.

For some materials, this is often indispensable. If users 3D-print using PLA, PETG TPU, using a raft will rarely be required, while for ABS, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, PA-12 and other technical materials, it is highly recommended.

How is it formed? Basically, it consists of three elements: base, body and surface. These elements are nothing more than layers printed with high print flows, at different densities between each line. The whole is usually no higher than five millimeters.

Its working principle is to allow the object to anchor itself to the plastic of the Raft rather than to the print bed, as it is much easier for plastic to adhere to plastic. In turn, with the Raft being printed at high print flows, all that abundant extruded material will anchor itself better to the bed.

There is a downside to using Raft, and that is that it will have to be removed in post-production. As such, it is important to set it up correctly otherwise users may not be able to detach it, or worse, damage the base of the object to be 3D-printed.

It may also leave some aesthetic blemishes on the object once it is removed.

1 Platforms

As mentioned previously, one of the determining factors is the type of material users are printing. Some materials such as ABS, PP, PC, Nylon, Polypropylene, and PEEK are subject to warping, and tend to deform a lot during printing, especially at the base, because layer after layer, the extruded material furthest from the center cools down and tends to arch inwards, giving the object a twisted look.

For these types of materials, users need to use closed-chamber 3D printers, in addition to heated build plates, i.e. users have to keep the ambient temperature around an object as it 3D-prints to allow the plastic to cool slowly. Often these temperatures are as high as 100°C. However, if users are 3D-printing using PLA, PETG, TPU, risk of warping is lower and higher temperatures are not as necessary.

2 Raft Extruder

This parameter is normally changed if users have a dual extruder printer, as it allows users to choose which extruder users want to print the Raft with.

In fact, very often, when printing with technical materials such as PP, PC, Nylon, etc., that are very expensive high-performance materials, it is preferable to print the Raft with a cheaper ‘sacrificial’ material, such as ABS, which has roughly the same printing temperatures as technical materials. This is a great way to optimize the use of expensive materials.

3 Raft Offset

This parameter indicates how much wider users want the Raft to be than the base of the model. Normally 5mm can be set as the default value, while for materials that are more difficult to 3D-print, users can increase this distance. However, if users have two objects, users can place them side by side and set a very wide Raft value so as to create a wider Raft common to the two objects.

4 Raft Gap from Model

This parameter indicates the distance users want to set between the last layer of the Raft and the first layer of the model.

It is important to set this parameter correctly, because if set too low, users may have great difficulty in removing the Raft from the object in post-production, or conversely, if the clearance is too high, the object in print may not adhere well to the Raft, leading to a series of stability and deformation problems.

A distance of 0.17 mm is the suggested clearance, but if users have difficulty removing the object from the Raft, increase this value by a tenth of a millimeter.

5 Second Layer Z Lift

This parameter allows users to set a clearance between the first printed layer of the object on the Raft, and the next layer on top. It may be useful where users encounter difficulties in removing the Raft, especially when it does not come off easily and some of it remains attached to the base of the model.

By setting a minimum value such as 0.8 mm, the aim is to detach the Raft, along with the first layer of the model, and thus to have as clean a surface as possible at the base of the object. As always, do not make values that are too high, otherwise the print may become unstable.

6 Raft Lines Type

This simple parameter allows users to change the infill pattern of the Raft, with a choice between line and rectangular. The line type tends to remove itself better but tends to shatter much more easily at this stage, on the contrary the rectangular is more robust and tends to come off more compactly. Ideal for large Rafts.

7 Keep Holes in Raft Structure

By activating this option by ticking the check box, ideaMaker will create the Raft over the entire area of the base of the object, except for the areas where there are holes. Specifically, it will still create the Raft inside the holes but keeping the offset users have set.

This setting can be useful when users do not want to close holes in the object, which and can then rectify manually with a tool.

Now let’s move on to the tabs below the previous options: First layer; Middle layer; Top layer

8 First Layers

This parameter allows users to decide how many initial layers of the Raft users want to print. Normally two are sufficient to achieve good stability and guarantee easy removal in post-processing, and while increasing these layers certainly increases the adhesion of the Raft to the print bed, it can also increase the difficulty when removing the raft.

9 First Layer Speed

This parameter sets the speed at which users want to print the first “n” layers of the Raft users have set. As this is a very important stage of printing, it is advisable to print these layers at a low speed to allow the extruded material to adhere properly to the print bed.

10 Extrusion Width Percentage

This parameter set as a percentage determines how wide users want the first layers of the Raft to be. Normally this value is set to 200%, which is already a good value. In this picture, the value has been set to 400%, in order to illustrate the effect by exaggerating slightly and make it stand out better, as in reality, this value is difficult to achieve.

11 Layer Height

This parameter sets the layer height of the first layers of the Raft. As users can see from the picture, they are very high at exactly 0.5 mm in this case, which is well above the maximum limit of 0.33 mm for a 0.4 mm nozzle.

In these cases, however, since there is a significant print flow for these first layers, this value is set to increase adhesion to the print bed as much as possible.

Filling First Layer

By varying this parameter, users can decide the density of the filling of the first layers, i.e., how close users want the lines that make up the first layers to be to each other. Increasing this value beyond 30% increases the adhesion of the first layers to the surface, but on the other hand, it makes the Raft much more resistant and difficult to remove.

Fill Angle First Layer

This parameter allows users to set the angle of the lines of the first layer. Users may find it particularly tempting to change this parameter, though it is recommended to leave it with the default setting.

Tab Layer Central

Central Layers

With this parameter users can set the number of central layers they want to print in the Raft. The function of these layers is to prepare the surface for the last layer of the Raft, which is the one that will accommodate the first layer of the model to be printed.

Speed Central Layers

This parameter sets the speed of the central layers of the Raft. It is important to go very slow in the first few layers in order to achieve proper adhesion to the print bed. It is suggested to leave it at the default speed set by the Slicer.

Extrusion Width Percentage

This parameter, set as a percentage, determines how wide users want the layers that make up the central layers of the Raft to be. Normally this value is set at 150%, which is very good, as decreasing this parameter will diminish contact with the surface, making the Raft softer and easier to remove later, but at the same time stable and robust enough to support for the model to be printed.

Layer Height

This parameter sets the layer height of the first layers of the Raft. As users can see from the picture, they are very high at exactly 0.38 mm in this case, which is well above the maximum limit of 0.33 mm for a 0.4 mm nozzle. In the case of the Raft, this limit does constitute a limit, as all layers are printed with high fluxes, so they can safely weld to each other even with layer heights like these.

Filling Central Layers

By varying this parameter, users can decide the density of the filling of the central layers, i.e. how close together users want the lines that make up these layers to be. Increasing this value improves the stability of the Raft, and better prepares the base for the last layers, but on the other hand makes the Raft much more resistant and difficult to remove.

This parameter allows users to set the angle of the Raft’s central layer lines. It is not particularly useful to change this parameter, and it is recommended to leave it in the default settings.

Tab Layer TOP

Upper Layers

With this parameter users can decide how many upper layers they want to set for the Raft. The function of the top layer is to accommodate the first layer of the model to be printed, it must be rather dense and homogenous, and the success or otherwise of the 3D print will depend on this layer.

The parameters are the exactly the same as in the previous layers, so users can consult the previous entries to understand how it works.

This blog is shared by Raise3D’s client – 3dingrolab from Italy.

Skirt and Brim: How to Set Them Up in ideaMaker

Note: This blog is originally written in Italian by Raise3D’s client 3dingrolab:

https://www.3dingrolab.com/2023/03/18/skyrt-e-brim-come-impostarle-su-ideamaker/

The basic parameters

In this article, Raise3D would like to explain how to correctly set the Brim and Skirt in ideaMaker. To do this correctly, users need to be familiar each parameter to understand exactly how and where they act.

Meanwhile, we will briefly explain what Skirt and Brim are.

Let’s start with the first one:

Skirt: This keeps the nozzle under pressure, i.e., it is completely loaded with material so it can print the layers without holes or gaps. To do this, ideaMaker, like many other Slicers, allows users to activate this setting, creating a certain amount of laid down material, usually lines, around the object, before moving on to printing the first layer.

Brim: Very similar to Skirt, with the difference that the material laid down around the object is completely attached to the first layer. The difference is that the Brim increases the adhesion of the first layer to the print bed. The small disadvantage is that it being in contact with the object means it must be removed later manually.

Both settings can be found by going to the ‘Platform Additions’ tab, and clicking on the drop-down menu allows users to choose all the various combinations of Raft, Brim and Skirt.

Analysing the Skirt:

1 Skirt/Brim Extruder

This parameter can only be used in 3D printers with at least two extruders, as it allows users to choose which extruder users want to print the Skirt with.

2 Skirt/Brim Speeds

As users may have already guessed, this parameter indicates at what speed users want to print the Skirt/Brim. It is recommended to leave the value suggested by ideaMaker set, or always a very low value.

3 Minimum Length Skirt/Brim

This parameter allows users to set a minimum amount of Brim to be printed (especially for small objects).

In essence, users tell ideaMaker that for any object users print, users want the total length of the Brim to be at least X mm. If the object requires a smaller Brim than the set value, ideaMaker will add one or more Brim parameters until the set minimum value is reached.

By setting this parameter to zero, users can print a Brim for any large or small object with the number of turns users have set.

4 Skirt Lines

This parameter allows users to set how many lines of Skirt/Brim users want to print. When using Brim, a good number of lines helps to increase the adhesion of the part to the print bed, whereas when using Skirt, one or two lines are sufficient.

5 Skirt Distance from the Model

This parameter allows users to set the distance between the model and Skirt parameters. This parameter is what differentiates the Brim from the Skirt. That is, if users set this value to zero, users are essentially printing a Brim, and if a value greater than zero is set, then a Skirt is printed. The difference is precisely the distance between the Brim and the Skirt, which determines the type of function users may wish to enable.

6 Skirt – Print Outer Shell before Inner Shell in the First Layer

By ticking this box, users will print the outer parameters of the skirt first, and going toward the inner ones, otherwise they will be printed in the opposite order.

This blog is shared by Raise3D’s client – 3dingrolab from Italy.

Maximizing ROI with Fast and Quality 3D Printing

This article explores the concept of “fast 3D printing” with a focus on filament-based 3D printer speed. Read on to understand how different factors such as hardware, materials, and software can affect both speed and print quality.

What is “fast 3D printing”?

3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), can be faster than other production processes, especially for small batch production and prototyping or even house construction. However, it’s also arguably considered a slow method because it can take anywhere from half an hour to several days to 3D print an object.

But not all 3D printers are created equal. Some are capable of going above and beyond standard print speeds. They can 3D print at double or triple the speed of regular 3D printers. This is what industry professionals refer to as “fast 3D printing”.

Hence, while 3D printing was originally used mainly for prototypes, faster solutions are now seen as viable options for actual production, as well.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different elements that can contribute to such a significant increase in speed. We will focus on fast 3D printing in the Fused Filament Fabrication category.

A quick look at FFF 3D printing

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), also simply referred to as “material extrusion”, is one of the most common forms of 3D printing. Compared to other technologies like resin 3D printing or powder-based 3D printing, it’s not always the fastest 3D printer type.

Despite this, it is still widely used. FFF is affordable and versatile, and the hardware and software are both easy to set up and use. Once your settings are good to go, you just press “print” and take your models off the build plate after a few hours or days, depending on the size. There’s little to no inherent post-processing involved in contrast to resin 3D prints (e.g., washing and curing), or powder prints (e.g., powder removal with a sandblaster, powder recycling).

Plus, unless you’re running a print farm or using complex materials, standard FFF 3D printers don’t require a highly controlled environment. As long as it’s at room temperature with a reasonable relative humidity, a filament 3D printer can work pretty much anywhere.

If we take a step back and compare FFF to traditional manufacturing methods, it has its share of benefits, too. For small- to medium-volume production of plastic parts, FFF is often more cost-efficient than injection molding, for instance.

When it comes to rapid prototyping, filament 3D printing can be faster than manually crafting models or having to outsource prototype production to a factory. It also generates much less waste than subtractive methods like CNC milling.

With a 3D printer in your office, you can easily print various design iterations in a few hours or days. If you’re equipped with several 3D printers, then you can produce dozens or hundreds of parts a day.

In short, FFF 3D printing is an affordable, flexible, and scalable manufacturing solution.

How does FFF 3D printing work and how fast is it?

Fused Filament Fabrication works by melting and extruding a strand of plastic filament through a heated nozzle. The nozzle takes time to heat up to different temperatures based on the type of thermoplastic. Some can be melted at 180°C, while others require temperatures of well over 400°C.

Once it’s at the right temperature, the print head moves along the build plate to draw each successive layer. In some configurations, the build plate moves backward and forward and/or up and down.

A graphic representation of an FFF print head and its various elements. Source: Raise3D

“Print speed” in FFF generally refers to how fast the print head moves while depositing material. It’s often measured in millimeters per second, referring to horizontal line deposition. Most professional desktop 3D printers will 3D print at around 50 to 80 mm/s.

The overall speed in FFF 3D printing can depend on a wide range of factors, such as the model’s resolution (i.e., level of detail), infill density, and much more.

All of these settings must be adapted to the different materials and even to the 3D model you are printing. It isn’t possible to print every single material or model at the same speed.

In conclusion, pushing a 3D printer to its maximum specs will not guarantee a satisfying result, by any means.

Factors that influence 3D printing speed in FFF

3D printing can be a complex mix-and-match of settings that is challenging to master.

Setting aside these specific settings for now, let’s explore the three main areas that can take you from regular 3D printing to fast 3D printing:

Hardware
Materials
Software

Hardware considerations for fast 3D printing

The faster you print, the more you put strain on the 3D printer. Hence, just like any machine, a 3D printer needs the right components and chassis to withstand fast speeds.

The printer’s printhead or hotend must be able to churn out the material faster, too. This means being able to heat up the material quicker and maintaining a constant, reliable temperature.

Furthermore, many thermoplastics need to be 3D printed in a heated environment. For such materials, a heated chamber is critical to avoid warped parts. The printer’s different components inside must be able to remain stable within this heat – not just for one print, but for hundreds or thousands.

From stepper motors, extrusion gears, and electronics to simple things like screws and belts, you’ll need robust and durable hardware components.

Material considerations for fast 3D printers

One of the reasons FFF 3D printing is so widespread is because it works with a wide range of materials. Plastics, ceramics, metals (and even stem cells)– almost anything can be 3D printed.

However, each material needs specific printing conditions. Even switching between different brands of PLA, for example, may require subtle changes to print settings.

When you consider different kinds of plastics, such as Nylon, ABS, Polycarbonate, and so many more, adjusting the settings becomes more complex.

Every material has inherent limitations and unique physical and mechanical properties. These properties, e.g. tensile strength, can be affected by printing conditions.

By printing a material too fast, layers won’t have enough time to cool down before the next ones. This means poor layer bonding strength, translating into weaker parts.

Another risk is linked to material “flowability”, namely for fiber-filled materials like carbon-fiber-filled Nylon. The fibers that reinforce the material are precisely what make it harder to print; they’re abrasive and can damage or clog the nozzle.

Hence, while having robust hardware is important, it’s also essential to use speed-compatible materials.

Software considerations to increase 3D printing speed

Robust hardware and tailor-made materials have an effect on the ability to 3D print fast. Nonetheless, to tie it all together and ensure consistent print quality, you need the right software.

One of the most essential elements in this regard is anticipating the printhead’s movements.

When the printhead moves, it can have a sort of “jerk” to it. The faster it accelerates, the more jerk it has. These repeated accelerations – especially on complex geometries (versus long, straight lines) – cause the 3D printer’s mechanics to vibrate.

This results in numerous imperfections on the print, affecting not only its appearance but also its structural integrity.

The example below illustrates this “ringing” effect:

An example of ringing on several prints.

Hence, even with the right hardware and materials, you likely won’t obtain good print quality without software that can anticipate high-speed printhead movement.

Raise3D has developed a fast 3D printing solution called Hyper FFF. This technology doesn’t just “tell” the 3D printer to go faster– because that’s quite easy to do.

Hyper FFF means reaching the highest possible speed while ensuring top-quality prints. It strikes the ideal balance between speed and quality:

Raise3D’s Hyper FFF solution involves the following key elements:

An automatic calibrator and vibration-canceling algorithm to anticipate and compensate for the vibrations.
Specially developed materials compatible with high print speeds.
Intelligent software that adapts the printer’s speed based on a part’s geometry.

Thanks to this combination, it is possible to 3D print up to 400% faster while maintaining the same quality. Professional desktop solutions like the Pro3 Series achieve 350mm/s, and Raise3D’s industrial RMF500 3D printer reaches 500mm/s.

Note: Technically, the Pro3 Series can also achieve 500mm/s without a problem. However, the quality at that speed is not guaranteed like it is on the RMF500.

Balancing speed and quality while 3D printing fast

The automatic calibrator and vibration-canceling algorithm are based on Klipper’s original “resonance compensation” concept. They’re key to 3D printing fast without compromising on quality.

As we saw in the previous section, when a printhead accelerates, it causes vibrations. The idea behind Klipper’s technique is that by measuring these vibrations, we can know just how to counter them with inverse (more or less) movements.

How does it work? Raise3D’s automatic calibrator is an accelerometer-equipped module to temporarily add onto your Pro3 Series printer. In essence, it creates thousands of vibrations at increasing speed and intensity, and IdeaMaker software registers these vibrations. The software is then able to use its vibration-canceling algorithm on future prints.

Now onto the next exciting question: how fast can you 3D print with Hyper FFF technology?

Standard desktop 3D printers can go at an average maximum speed – while maintaining consistent print quality – of around 100mm/s. With Hyper FFF technology, it is currently possible to print up to 400% faster with the same reliability and quality.

Raise3D breaks down speed in levels, as you can see below:

An overview of the different speed levels you can expect with Hyper FFF. Source: Raise3D

Desktop solutions like the Pro3 Series can reach LV2 speed (350mm/s), and industrial solutions like the RMF500 can reach LV3 (500mm/s).

To achieve Hyper FFF speed, however, it’s essential to use the right materials.

Check out Aniwaa’s review, “Double the prints in half the time?”, to discover more Hyper FFF prints and insights.

Materials compatible with fast 3D printing

Raise3D’s research team developed two, main filament lines to keep up with Hyper FFF speeds:

Hyper Speed line
Hyper Core line

These filaments cover an increasing variety of plastics, from PLA to ABS and fiber-filled materials.

Thanks to special formulations, they can be melted, extruded, and cooled faster without sacrificing dimensional accuracy, surface quality, or interlayer bonding quality.

Hyper Speed line: PLA, ABS, and more

Raise3D’s research team developed unique formulations of PLA and ABS plastics that make them compatible with fast 3D printing. Hyper Speed PLA and Hyper Speed ABS present optimized molecular weight and flowability for:

faster melting and cooling
excellent interlayer bonding
optimal Z-direction strength

These Hyper Speed formulations also enable the print surfaces to be just as smooth and detailed as with normal filaments at normal speed.

Raise3D will continue to roll out additional materials (e.g., PETG, PC, ASA, and others) on a regular basis.

Hyper Core line: CF- and GF-reinforced filaments

For industrial, end-use part applications, Raise3D is developing compatible thermoplastics that are reinforced with fibers such as glass fiber (GF) or carbon fiber (CF).

The challenge with fiber-enforced filaments is their abrasiveness. They tend to damage printer nozzles and easily clog them. Raise3D’s R&D team found a clever solution to this by creating two layers or “cores” of material with different fiber distributions.

The inner core of the filament features a high density of fibers and is wrapped in a thin outer core with fewer fibers. Thus, the material is easier to print on the outside, all while offering unique material properties on the inside, and with much less damage to the nozzle.

Note: These Hyper Core filaments are still being thoroughly tested and fine-tuned. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on this topic and more.

Material profiles in ideaMaker

We mentioned before that each material requires unique printing temperatures and settings. Raise3D materials all come with preset “material profiles” enabling you to 3D print without searching for the sweet spot.

Nozzle and print bed temperature, speed, layer height– it’s all ready to go.

See dozens of Raise3D and third-party material profiles

3D part size and geometry

All of the above elements play a major role in 3D printer speed. Nonetheless, an important factor remains: the 3D model itself.

The more intricate it is, the greater the trade-off between speed and quality. This is where ideaMaker steps in again with intelligent algorithms.

Each section of the print must be 3D printed at a different speed in order to guarantee its quality.

Different print speeds for different geometries. Source: Raise3D

In the image above, you can see that the outer shell (relatively simple curve) can be 3D printed at around 270mm/s. The more intricate sections, like the two small holes, must be 3D printed at a lower speed of 60-90mm/s.

Below is another illustration of this concept:

Level 0 and level 2 speeds for the same extrusion path. Source: Raise3D

This ensures that sharp details are 3D printed correctly, all while 3D printing the rest of the part at high speed.

Other print settings and how they influence speed

A number of settings can influence an FFF 3D printer’s speed. Two of the main settings are layer height and infill density.

Layer height

Before 3D printing, you slice your model into hundreds or thousands of thin layers.

The thinner these layers, the more detailed and smooth the model will appear and the more layers there will be. Inherently, more (thinner) layers mean longer print times.

Infill density

Infill density is the amount of material used to fill the inside of a 3D model. The denser the model, the stronger it will be.

A denser model translates into more material usage and more time to 3D print this extra material.

What This Means For ROI And Productivity

Achieving fast 3D printing while maintaining professional and production-grade print quality is possible. And it comes down to an intelligent mix of the right hardware, software, and materials, and adapting to the 3D model’s shape.

With Hyper FFF, you can achieve speeds that are on average 3.8 times faster than standard professional 3D printing options on the market. But 3D printing speed is not the only fast side of Hyper FFF. Reaching ROI with it is fast, too.

The boost in productivity that such high-speed 3D printing yields pays back the investment in weeks, not to mention the benefits of shortened delays and product time-to-market.

And for applications like tooling or jigs and fixtures, fast 3D printing holds quite the advantage against traditional methods like CNC milling or injection molding. The latter imply expensive tooling– especially when considering design iterations and fixes– and hundreds if not thousands of parts must be produced in order to recoup the initial investment. Now, instead of being mainly used for rapid prototyping, FFF 3D printing today is settling in as a viable manufacturing alternative.

How to start 3D printing faster with Raise3D

3D printing at high speed is easy with Raise3D’s plug-and-play solutions, and multiple options are available.

● Already own a Raise3D Pro3 Series printer? Purchase a Hyper Speed Upgrade Kit and boost your productivity in no time.

● Do you own a Raise3D Pro2 Series printer? A hardware and firmware update is also available (coming soon for E2 and E2CF).

● Interested in 3D printing large, industrial parts? The RMF500 offers the highest speed and can print at up to 500mm/s.

For more information, contact our team or explore more Hyper FFF resources.

Fast 3D printing FAQ

What is the fastest a 3D printer can print?

This depends on the type of 3D printer. Each technology has different speeds and factors to consider. Desktop 3D printers with Hyper FFF technology can reach over 350mm/s depending on the chosen material and the part’s geometry.

What is the fastest FFF 3D printer speed?

With Hyper FFF technology, it is possible to 3D print at speeds of up to 500mm/s on industrial solutions like the Raise3D RMF500. Desktop solutions like the Pro3 Series can 3D print up to 350mm/s.

Is there a way to speed up 3D printing?

For a significant increase in speed for extrusion-based 3D printing, you’ll need robust hardware, advanced algorithms, and specially formulated materials that can handle the speed while maintaining consistent quality.

What does Raise3D’s MetalFuse Full in-house FFF Metal 3D Printing Solution Offer?

Introduction to the MetalFuse Solution

Raise3D’s MetalFuse offers a full in-house FFF metal printing solution for manufacturers who require the internal production of metal parts for various uses. MetalFuse consists of an indirect metal 3D printing process, and with it, manufacturers can carry out the entire production process from design to printing, to debinding, sintering and to post-processing, all without anything leaving the factory.

Learn More about:

Raise3D MetalFuse (US and other regions; EU)

Raise3D Forge1(US and other regions; EU)

A Simple Process for Users

Raise3D has developed a special edition of its slicing program- ideaMaker for Metal – to either slice or import Gcode files to the FFF metal printer – the Forge1 – in order to 3D print models, much like FFF 3D printers that create objects using thermoplastics. In this case, the 3D printer produces what are called green parts. Once these green parts are created, they can be subject to process called debinding, and are placed in another machine, the D200-E. This results in what are called brown parts, and finally the brown parts are quickly sintered in the sintering machine, the S200-C. Out of this last machine come the final metal parts, in a manner similar to the MIM process.

Specialized Slicing Software – ideaMaker for Metal

ideaMaker for Metal is slicing software specially developed for metal 3D printing.

A special edition of ideaMaker offers templates optimized for this kind of printing, while taking into account the sintering and debinding processes that the 3D-printed parts are subject to after being created with MetalFuse.

This special edition of ideaMaker also features a simpler slicing process:

1) Provides templates for all processes

ideaMaker for Metal provides metal filament templates that were previously validated, and these enable easier slicing.

2) Easy to set shrink compensation

Unlike other FFF printing methods, metal printing requires a debinding and sintering process to obtain the final parts. To ensure that the final part matches the intended size, the size of the green parts can be automatically set in the software to account for a certain amount of print shrinkage. This guarantees that the final size after debinding and sintering will be accurate and suitable for use.

Metal FFF 3D Printer – Forge1

After slicing with ideaMaker for Metal, the next step is to use Raise3D’s metal FFF 3D printer to print green parts.

As previously mentioned, the Forge1 can print green parts using perhaps the most widespread 3D printing technology, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), making it highly accessible to on-demand scalable production. The extensively used nature of this technology creates an ecosystem that drives innovation in various industries with multiple end-use applications.

A hybrid filament of metal and POM-based polymers is used to print the green parts. During printing, the POM melts and the metal particles carried within are deposited.

Advantages of green parts printed using the Forge1

The ability to consistently produce complex parts
Smooth surface finish
High accuracy for assembly
Can reliably handle batch printing
High strength and resistance to damage
Compatible with Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process

Raise3D Debinding Machine – D200-E

Green parts printed using the Forge1 need to be debound and sintered by a debinding machine and a sintering machine respectively, to get the final metal parts. The Raise3D D200-E is a catalytic ethanedioic debinding machine specifically created for this effect.

It is used to remove the POM from parts and prepare the metal for sintering. In the presence of oxalic acid in the high-temperature acidic environment created by the machine, the catalyst gas penetrates the green parts and the POM is decomposed and vaporized.

The D200-E has great performance as it has a high debinding rate, which can achieve catalyst penetration speed of over 1mm/h. It can simultaneously process up to 7 trays (70 green parts of a given size) in just 15 hours.

The catalyst, oxalic acid gas, is biodegradable with low toxicity, and the methanal and acidic gas produced in the D200-E will be discharged along with the protective gas (nitrogen, argon, etc.) through the exhaust gas filtration system. In this way, the D200-E is eco-friendly and suitable for an office environment.

Raise3D Sintering Machine – S200-C

After debinding, users get the brown parts, but these parts are very brittle and crispy, they need to be quickly and carefully moved and to a sintering machine, where they will be heated to sintering temperatures.

The Raise3D S200-C is a vacuum sintering machine, designed to carry out the sintering portion of the indirect metal 3D printing process. During the sintering process, the loose debound parts will shrink into dense solid sintered parts.

S200-C can simultaneously process up to 6 trays without at once using the same amount of energy. Additionally，the sintered part’s density after sintering reaches 97%.

Post-Processing – Machining/Finishing

After going through the printing, debinding, and sintering processes, the final metal parts can be put directly into use. However, for a better surface look, or other special assembly requirements, sintered parts can be lightly machined and processed.

In the following case, drilling is used to assist in adjustments that may be needed for assembly, and the hole tolerance is ±0.2mm. In the case illustrated below, with the post-processing, the sintered part’s hole tolerances already meet applicable standards, and the drilled sintered parts will be used directly in a client’s wiring testing line.

Post-processing methods, such as magnetic abrasive finishing, electroplating, polishing, are also frequently used to fulfill manufacturer requirements. In the example illustrated above, magnetic abrasive finishing is adopted to make the surface of the connector inserts smoother, making it safer and easier to handle.

MetalFuse Solution Benefits

1) Cost-effective

MetalFuse solution makes cost-effective metal printing possible, as the lead time and high production difficulties are all reduced. It utilizes the catalytic debinding process, which leads to 60% off in processing time, and an increase of the part’s density of up to 97%.

2) Environmentally Friendly

Compared to other processes, such as CNC and SLM (Selective Laser Melting), MetalFuse saves more energy, is less wasteful, and consequently is more environmentally friendly.

3) High Accessibility

Raise3D MetalFuse solution makes on-demand scalable production highly accessible. It drives production in various industries with multiple end-use applications, and can meet clients’ requirements for batches of end-use metal parts at lower prices, various batch sizes, ensured quality, reduced maintenance costs, etc.

Learn More about:

Raise3D MetalFuse (US and other regions; EU)

Raise3D Forge1(US and other regions; EU)

ChatGPT: How the language-learning AI can assist in the creation of 3D printing design models

ChatGPT is a new, highly-advanced artificial intelligence program that is designed to answer questions and respond in a humanlike manner. It is trained on a massive dataset of text and as such is able to answer questions asked in natural language. In addition, it’s capable of generating code based on specific requests.

Is OpenSCAD an accessible program?

For 3D models that are used for 3D printers, OpenSCAD is an open-source program used to create models. The program uses a programming language to describe and assign the dimensions of the 3D model the programmer desires. This is in contrast to most CAD software, which has a more beginner-friendly graphical user interface.

Because of its complicated programming language, inexperienced users of OpenSCAD may not know how to use the program to create a desired model. The programming language can take a lot of time to learn, which highly decreases the accessibility of 3D printing to those who may want to use it.

How can ChatGPT help?

Because of its ability to write code, a relatively new feature of AI language learning models, users, even those with no experience, can prompt ChatGPT to create lines of code for OpenSCAD. Nick with Raise3D sought to answer this question, and see what the capabilities of ChatGPT are for programming a 3D model for print. Check Youtube tutorial below:

What can ChatGPT actually do?

Nick first asked ChatGPT to create a model of a hydrogen atom, with one nucleus and an electron. ChatGPT failed to do so. Next, he asked it to create a double helix, but there would be errors in the code that Nick prompted for ChatGPT to fix. Eventually, it managed to create a model that worked, but the end result was far from the original request.

Nick then asks the AI to generate a model for a Samsung Galaxy S8 phone stand. As a more creative and open-ended endeavor, ChatGPT was still able to use the phone’s dimensions to create the model. The model itself, however, was not usable, and still needed a lot of work.

Yet, after some tweaking and adjusting, Nick was able to get ChatGPT to get a requested model of a T-shaped jig fixture with a cylindrical hole cut out. In addition, the model created could then easily be uploaded to a secondary program for users inexperienced with programming to adjust.

What does this mean?

ChatGPT is still in the early stages of capability for its OpenSCAD programming, and still requires extremely specific requests to complete a task. In addition, it requires adjustments, and isn’t the best at answering requests that require creativity, like the phone case.

However, during Nick’s testing in which he asked ChatGPT to fix certain error prompts, ChatGPT was able to immediately identify what the error was and where it was. For a new user, it could take hours to identify a single problem, but ChatGPT is able to do it nearly instantaneously.

Printing the Final Design

Nick used a Raise3D Pro 3 model with the Hyper FFF upgrade, allowing a print time that is three times faster that of the Raise3D Pro 2 model while still maintaining high precision. In this way, through using ChatGPT, models can be designed and fixed quickly while also being printed at a moment’s notice.

What is ChatGPT’s potential in the future?

ChatGPT’s potential to generate code for 3D printing is impressive, and with more work, it could be a valuable tool for beginners to get started with 3D printing. Currently, however, it could be a useful tool for already-experienced programmers to know where an error occurred in the code for a 3D model in OpenSCAD.

ideaMaker Features Review: Slicing Preview

Since the first release of ideaMaker in Jan 3rd, 2016, ideaMaker has been evolving for almost seven years till now. Along the whole time, ideaMaker always officially keeps free to public and open to profile customization, rather than limited to Raise3D printer only. By today, the history of ideaMaker maybe longer than some veterans’ experience in 3D printing community. Support structures related features are also the most discussed among the ideaMaker’s classic features.

Preview

Preview is an excellent inspection tool for users to check for any errors in the printed model. It will show a visualization of the actual print path of the model as it prints on an FFF printer. ideaMaker is committed to displaying the preview content that users are most concerned about in more detail, such as speed, layer height, infill, support, and Rafts, etc. Users can view layer by layer, making it easy to make any changes to the model and structures such as supports after the preview is finished.

Since ideaMaker developed the Preview function, its features have been continuously iterated. ideaMaker adds a variety of display methods for model previews as well as more functions for third-party management software. The following will introduce several wonderful Preview features in ideaMaker.

1. Extruder Color Preview, from Version 1.3.7-May 28th, 2014

ideaMaker has provided users with different display methods in Preview. At early stages, users can preview the slicing result by Extruder Color. Different parts of the model printed by the left and right nozzles will be displayed in different colors.

2. Retraction Preview, Version 2.0.5-January 12th, 2016

Retraction Preview allows users to check the path and retraction point of the nozzle movement. In the Preview, the blue line indicates the rapid movement trace of the nozzle, and the orange cross indicates the retraction point.

3. Print Speed Preview, from Version 3.0.0-October 23rd, 2017

There are many ways to preview models in Preview. Users can preview the model by Speed in Preview. Different printing speeds are displayed in different colors. Users can view the printing speed (mm/s) of each structure of the model layer by layer.

4. Layer Height Preview, from Version 3.4.0 Beta-Mar 29th, 2019

Users can also preview the model by Layer Height. Different layer heights are displayed in different colors. Users can view the layer height (mm) of the model layer by layer intuitively.

In particular, users can customize the layer height of different layers through Pre-Layer Settings and view them in Preview.

5. Cross Section Preview, from Version 4.0.1-Nov 23rd, 2020

Cross Section makes it possible that users can observe the internal section of the model from X direction, Y direction, top Z direction, and bottom Z direction. Users can observe the internal structure more intuitively and from multiple angles to check the slicing results.

6. Optimized Display Colors for Steps Preview, from Version 4.2.2-Nov 26th, 2021

ideaMaker optimizes the color of the model when users check the Steps in Preview. When the user drags the Steps slider to view the printing path of the model step by step, the front layer will be displayed in dark color, so that users can view the path of the printed model more concisely and intuitively.

7. Outer Shell Z Seam Preview, from Version 4.2.2-Nov 26th, 2021

ideaMaker has added the function of viewing the Z seams of the Outer Shell. Users can see where Z Seam is on the model before printing. Users can adjust parameters or change the starting point in advance, without having to re-modify and print again after the model is printed.

8. Isometric Preview for Third-party Softwares, from Version 4.2.2-Nov 26th, 2021

ideaMaker has updated the way users preview in OctoPrint and Mainsail. OctoPrint is a third-party app for managing 3D printers; Mainsail is a lightweight responsive web UI that makes Klipper more accessible. When users using G-Code Thumbnails features for OctoPrint and Mainsail, Isometric View will be updated to be default preview way.

Conclusion

Preview allows users to more intuitively observe the model printing path in a realistic way. Users can observe the parameters of the model they are most concerned about, such as infill, printing speed, Rafts, etc., Users can modify and customize according to their needs. In the future, ideaMaker will pay more attention to the most urgent needs of users and develop more practical and convenient functions.

How to Improve 3D-Printed Shape Accuracy? -Sharp Corner (XY Axis)

Shape accuracy is a critical criterion for accuracy and refers to the extent of how well the surface shape of the fabricated part matches the design. Common surface shapes include round, flat, column, conical, linear etc. This blog discusses how to improve the 3D printing shape accuracy of a sharp corner using ideaMaker.

Note: To be precise, this blog entry only discusses accuracy applied to a Cartesian FFF printer and ideaMaker.

A rectangular specimen printed for reference

Example of a Common Flaw: A Corner Bulge in the XY Direction

A sharp corner is formed by the encounter of two straight surfaces. A bulged angle is formed when the vertex where the surfaces meet bends towards the convergent point. The following comparison shows the difference between a bulged and a fine corner. The contour of a fine sharp corner is straight without visible bending. A bulged corner may cause a printed part to have poor assembly quality and an enlarged dimensional tolerance, resulting in printed parts not fitting correctly.

Bulged Corner (Left) vs. Fine Sharp Corner (Right)

Image Source: https://www.printedsolid.com/

Situation 1: A Bulged Corner at the Start and End Point

It is common practice for slicing software to define a corner vertex as a start or end point on each layer. A bulged corner forms when over-extrusion occurs at a start point or end point during printing. When there is too much pressure applied or too much material melted at these points, the amount of filament extruded at these points will be more than the ideal amount along the vertex.

A Bulged Corner at the Start and End Point

Image from https://reprap.org/

How to Fix with ideaMaker：

1. Increase the Amount of Retraction Material (Advanced Settings>Extruder>Retraction Material Amount）

This setting can reduce existing material in the nozzle at the start/end point. But a value that is too high may result in under-extrusion and a gap in the corner.
How to Fix with ideaMaker

2. Increase the Value of Gcode M572 (Advanced Setting>GCode>Start GCode)

Gcode M572 refers to the advance pressure feeding compensation rate based on speed. In case of normal printing, when printer printing speed increases, the printer feeding rate increases accordingly. When printing speed decreases, the feeding rate also decreases. Increasing the value of M572 heightens the feeding rate reduction when printing speed down at the end point of the printing loop before next layer.

Increase the Value of Gcode M572

Situation 2: Corners without Start and End Point

Sometimes a corner is irregular, and can also be known as ghosting, ringing, echoing or ripping, even if it is not defined as a start or end point. This is usually caused by machine vibrations during the printing of the corner area. When the extruder is moving fast along a certain direction and has a sudden speed change, it will generate lots of force, which has to be absorbed by the printer. A printer with more weight and a stiffer frame can absorb this force better, resulting in less vibration.

Corners without Start and End Point

Image source: https://3dprinterly.com/

How to Fix with ideaMaker:

1. Lowering the Inner and Outer Shell Print Speed (Advanced Settings>Speed)

In ideaMaker, loops forming contours of each layer are defined as the outer shell and inner shell. Therefore, lowering print speed value for these two structures can reduce existing vibration when printing corners.

Lowering the Inner and Outer Shell Print Speed

2. Lowering the Acceleration Speed ( Advanced Settings>Advanced)
Lowering the acceleration speed of the inner and outer shell can also reduce vibration when printing corners. Lower acceleration speed brings less shaking when the speed begins to change. Users need to enable the Acceleration option in ideaMaker first.

Lowering the Acceleration Speed

3. Reduce the Jerk Speed (Advanced Settings>Advanced)
Jerk speed refers to the instantaneous speed to start printing or the minimum speed required before printing stops or changes direction. When printing a sharp corner, the extruder movement direction will change significantly. The extruder has to suddenly drop its speed to zero along the original direction at the turning point. The jerk speed refers to the instantaneous speed along the original direction at that moment. A larger jerk speed means the printer absorbs more force when the extruders change direction. However, if this value is too low, the printing duration will be significantly extended and result in flaws in the final print.

Reduce the Jerk Speed

Reduce the Jerk Speed Advanced Settings

3D Printing Support Structures

What is a Support Structure in 3D Printing? And Why Are Support Structures Important?

An FDM 3D printer extrudes filament layer by layer to form a 3D printed part. Each layer is supported by the layer beneath it. When a model has areas of a design that is not supported by a layer beneath it, such as with an overhang or a bridge structure, there is a risk the structure can fall. The amount an overhang can support itself depends on the stiffness of the material the part is made of. The stiffer the material, the further an overhang can stick out. However, even with a stiffer material, at a certain point, the weight of the overhang will overcome the stiffness of the material, causing the overhang to collapse. Support structures are a temporary added part that supports the areas of the part during printing. Support structures will need to be removed once printing is complete.

Simply put, when printing a new layer gravity will be dragging that layer down, meaning you can not print a new layer or structure (like a bridge or an overhang) over air. It needs support to hold it in place during the printing process. This why a support structure is needed. A support structure will ensure that new layers are not at a risk of falling.

When to Use Supports in 3D Printing

According to the 45-degree principle, any [section of a design that overhangs more than 45 degrees off vertical] will require a support structure (at least a break away support structure).

Examples of Design Features That Require Support Structures (Reference actual printed examples)

1. When there is an overhang, the structure will need support.

2. The orientation of the model could result in the need of a support structure.

The distinction between each support type and when to use it comes down more to the desired part qualities.

Desired part qualities include:

Surface Finish
Ease of Removal
Time

If the design falls under 45 degrees, then it will not require a support structure.

Examples of Design Features That Do Not Require Support Structures

When the overall shape is cylindrical, conical, or cuboid, and the lower part is relatively large
When the upper and lower widths of the model are the same without any hanging parts

3. When the size/distance the part has to overhand is relatively short, the filament can bridge itself without the need of a support material underneath

Types of Support

Support structures can most likely fall into Break-Away or Water-Soluble types. Within these types are the following sub-categories inate supports, water soluble supports, and interface layers.

Inate Supports

Inate supports use the same material for the part and the support structure and it breaks away or a material pairs with a dedicated support material and the part made with the dedicated support material is broken away. Inate supports are easy to set up and have low print times, but can leave a rougher surface when the supports are removed.

A dual extruder 3D printer is not needed to produce inate supports done in one material, but producing these supports will be limited. Since these types of inate supports use the same material to support it, there needs to find a fine balance so the support structure can support the model well, but also remain loose enough to break off easily without cutting into the model.

However, with a dual extruder 3D printer, a dedicated support material would be used in a dual print and broken away like Inate supports.The PA12 support material for the E2CF is another example of a dedicated support material that can be produced with a dual extruder 3D printer. Dedicated support structures are rarely intended for part printing.

Water Soluble Supports

A water soluble support is a support structure made from a filament that dissolves in water, meaning they are the easiest to remove. Water Soluble supports provide the best surface finish because they do not need to be broken away meaning there is no risk of damaging the part when removing the supports. However, it requires more printing time to produce a water soluble support, as well as the soaking time to remove the supports.

A water soluble support may be needed in place of a regular support. Examples include complex tubing or where the tools can not reach the supports to remove them.

A water soluble support material for lower temperature is Raise3D’s PVA Plus (bed temperature of 60 C).

A water soluble support material for high temp materials is BASF BVOH (bed temperature of 100 C).

Interface Layers

Then the last category of support structures are interface layers. Interface layers are when inate supports are used for the main structure and water soluble structures are used for the layers that touch the part.

The main considerations for this use case is the final part surface quality and material costs. It does make it so that there can be some more work in removing the supports, if they surround the part for example, but since the layers between the parts and the main supports can be dissolved away to leave a gap there is much more room to work on the supports without the risk of effecting the part.

In this case we are also cutting down on the water souluble support material, which usually is more expensive, by only using it for the layers where it is needed most.

Different Support Materials

Main Material	Support Material
PLA, TPU, PETG	PVA
ABS	HIPS
PA12CF	PA12CF Support

ABS and HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) are a common pairing since HIPS material prints at almost the exact same settings as ABS. HIPS can be dissolved and washed away with a chemical process, Limonene-D, which does not affect the ABS plastic. However there are restrictions on how Limonene-D can be used and disposed of. It is important to check with local ordinances for regulations of Limonene-D.

3D Printers

The right 3D printer needs to be able to maintain the right conditions to make the materials compatible. A machine with more accurate or fine-tuned motors will be better suited to maintain a proper material flow which is needed to facilitate proper bonding. A printer with motors that are not as efficient can impact the flow, which will ultimately impact bonding and make the material not compatible with the machine.

3D Printing TPU Filament

TPU is a 3D printing material known for its elasticity which enables it to stretch and bend. Producing a high quality TPU printed part means understanding its properties.

In this article we will examine:
Part 1
1. Introduction to TPU
2. TPU Properties and Applications
3. TPU Shore Hardness
Part 2
1. What to Look for in a 3D Printer If You Want to Print TPU
Part 3
1. Why choose a Printer from Raise3D?

Part 1: Introduction to TPU Filament

Thermoplastic Polyurethane, TPU, is a type of flexible and elastic material. This article will focus on TPU filament for FDM/FFF printing.

And while there is TPU filament available for 3D printing, TPU is a material that can be processed in more traditional manufacturing methods, such as injection molding. It is important to understand that TPU will have the same kind of elastic and flexibility whether it is printed as a filament, or processed in Injection Molding.

Recap of 3D Printing and Injection Molding

Injection Molding is an excellent manufacturing method for producing a large quantity of the same part. Parts that are produced with injection molding will always be solid. 3D printing is excellent for rapid prototyping, low volume production, and for testing out designs and parts.

It is misleading to think of 3D printing or injection molding as a superior manufacturing method to the other. Instead, 3D printing and injection molding are complementary methods of manufacturing. Each has their advantages and tasks they are better suited for.

TPU Properties and Applications

TPU filament is more rigid than Thermoplastic Elastomer, TPE. It is important to understand that rigidity does not equate hardness. Rigidity is the material’s ability to bend. Softer filaments, such as TPE, can be more of challenge for a 3D printer’s extruders to process. Compared to TPE, TPU is a stiffer material, and is easier to print than TPE. However, TPU is still a flexible material and understanding its properties and applications is important for a satisfactory result.

TPU’s characteristics include rubber-like elasticity, tear and abrasion resistance, and durability making it suitable for uses requiring impact absorption and a soft-touch surface.

Examples of TPU 3D printed parts include tubes, insoles, seals, bushings and vibration dampeners. When pairing a hollow design with a flexible filament, like TPU, a softer, easily compressed part can be produced, like a shoe insole. If the design of the structure is for a more solid part or a part with a compressed interior, then an object like a helmet, can be printed using TPU as well.

TPU Shore Hardness

Since TPU is a flexible material, it is important to understand its shore hardness. Checking the shore hardness of any material can give an idea of the differences in material because each material can register at different shore hardness.

Below are the different TPU options available from Raise3D and Raise3D’s Open Filament Program.

Manufacturer	Approved Filaments	Shore Hardness
Raise3D	TPU	Shore A Hardness 95
BASF	Ultrafuse TPU 64D	Shore D Hardness 58
BASF	Ultrafuse TPU 95A	Shore A Hardness 92 Shore D Hardness 45
BASF	Ultrafuse TPU 85A	Shore A Hardness 85 Shore D Hardness 29
eSun	eTPU-95A	Shore A Hardness 95
PolyFlex	TPU95	shore A Hardness 95

Visit our OFP page to learn our printer recommendations for each of these filaments

Part 2: What to Look for in a 3D Printer If You Want to Print TPU

When evaluating if a 3D printer is well suited for printing TPU look at the printer’s extrusion system. The softer a filament is, it lacks the rigidness to keep its shape. Although TPU is a more rigid filament compared to TPE and other flexible filaments, TPU is still a softer filament, especially when compared to other 3D printing materials.

The printer’s gear drives the filament through a printing path towards the hotend. A longer printing path is problematic for softer, flexible filaments like TPU because the filament gets squeezed and pushed for a longer distance. This is one of the most common reasons that cause a failed printing result.

A 3D printer with a shorter path from the gear to the hotend will avoid this issue. A 3D printer featuring direct drive will be better suited than a bowden style printer. Direct drive is mounted on the print head while the bowden system is mounted on the machine. This means the design of the bowden system is longer than a direct drive system.

Another feature that a printer can have that makes it easier and faster to print TPU is having more driving force from the gear. Since many printers slow down when printing TPU it takes longer to produce a TPU printed part.

An example of a printer with all a short printing path and a strong driving gear is the E2 desktop 3D printer. The E2 has the shortest printing path of all the Raise3D printers and the print head motors and gears are designed to optimize the feed gear power.

A printer with both a stronger gear and driving force will be able to have a longer distance for the printing path. For example, the Pro3 Series does have a longer printing path, but the interior of the print head is designed to feed the filament smoothly and has the bonus of two feed gears that work together because they are fitted to each other, allowing it to grip the TPU better.

Part 3: Why Raise3D?

The E2 and Pro3 Series are excellent options for printing TPU. The E2 features a unique extruder gear design making it well suited for processing flexible 3D printing materials, such as TPU. The E2 features an IDEX system enabling it to produce smaller parts repetitively in Duplicate and Mirror Mode.

The Pro3 Series is equipped with an independent modular extruder with a dual extrusion system which reduces clogging of filaments. The Pro3 Series line of printers includes the Pro3 and Pro3 Plus. The Pro3 has a build volume of 300 × 300 × 300 mm (11.8 × 11.8 × 11.8 inch), while the Pro3 Plus has a build volume of 300 × 300 × 605 mm (11.8 × 11.8 × 23.8 inch).

A good 3D printer manufacturer, like Raise3D, will provide a well-tuned template that can be used for good results with little work on the user’s end. Raise3D also offers an Open Filament Program to provide well tuned templates, and verifies third-party materials. Check for the OFP list of filaments here.

Another benefit of the Raise3D ecosystem. An advanced user can use a capable slicer like ideaMaker, to control and tune settings for each area of the model as needed. For example, ideaMaker can slow down the speeds or temperatures for more difficult details only in the layers where it is needed, and then run the rest of the part in normal settings.

Appendix

1. Shore Hardness
What is Shore Hardness?

Shore hardness is a reference point for the material’s hardness and flexibility. Shore hardness is scored from 0 to 100, and covers a scale from 00 Class to A Class, to D Class. A shore hardness score of 0 indicates that the material deforms/indents the most, while a score of 100 showed little to no deformationt all.

A Class measures a wide range of material types; from very soft and flexible to semi-rigid plastics with almost no flexibility at all. D Class measures hard rubbers, semi-rigid and rigid plastics. Having a shore hardness of 70A can move a material into the D Class. 3D printing materials, filaments, are generally registered in the A Class.

For additional information contact Raise3D.

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Raft: How To Set It Up Correctly in ideaMaker

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Maximizing ROI with Fast and Quality 3D Printing

What is “fast 3D printing”?

A quick look at FFF 3D printing

How does FFF 3D printing work and how fast is it?

Factors that influence 3D printing speed in FFF

Hardware considerations for fast 3D printing

Material considerations for fast 3D printers

Software considerations to increase 3D printing speed

Balancing speed and quality while 3D printing fast

Materials compatible with fast 3D printing

Hyper Speed line: PLA, ABS, and more

Hyper Core line: CF- and GF-reinforced filaments

Material profiles in ideaMaker

3D part size and geometry

Other print settings and how they influence speed

Layer height

Infill density