Thermoplastic Printing

Projects & Prints
1

SLA-based 3D printer

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Short answer: No.

Long answer: For SLA printing, you need UV curable material, for example UV crosslinking acrylates like the Formlabs resins. You can’t just take a thermoplastic material and dissolve it in something, it would not be UV curable. If you want to print in thermoplastics, use an FDM or SLS machine.

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3

Thanks, I will try via SLS machine.

One thing, Is there any equivalent thermoplastic resin available in market?

4

What do you mean by a “thermoplastic resin”?

If you are looking for resin similar to PP/HDPE, there is the Formlabs Durable resin. Look up the data sheet, and check if the properties match your intended purpose.

Also, for SLS, be aware that most machine manufacturers only support a very limited number of materials to be printed, usually some form of Nylon, and some also support TPU.

I think you should spend some time researching the basics of 3D printing, and then get some test parts printed via a online printing service or by a printer manufacturer, before you go further.

5

Alright Got it.

Yes, i already checked this SLS machine problem. That’s why printed some samples with diff materials in my lab via SLA but wasn’t much transparent at my wavelengths of interest.

Yeah, I meant to be a similar resin to HDPE.

Thanks.
Cheers

6

OK, if I understand correctly, you want your printed parts to be transparent at certain wavelengths? Maybe you could shortly describe what exactly it is you want to do with the printed parts, so that the others on the forum don’t have to take shots in the dark :wink:

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7

Correct. Thanks

The transparent material for my targeted application is bit cumbersome. So for as per the properties of HDPE/COP; it could be the best to use if would be printed via SLA/SLA then tested accordingly and used for further treatment as required.

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You can try the Formlabs Clear resin, but it sounds like you want something that SLA printing can’t give you. HDPE printing is possible (but still considered highly experimental) with a FDM printer.

Please clearly and concisely describe the application you want to use the 3D printed parts in, and the properties you are looking for. Until you do that, I am afraid I can’t help you any further.

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May be, but I just need to give a try with SLA printing. Later on, can print via FDM that would definitely also require high experimental investigation.

I would appreciate if you can share your email id where i can clearly describe what properties & application I am after. Thanks bdw.

Cheers.

10

Hi,

I’m sorry, but I won’t do free private consulting. I am willing to share my knowledge, but only if others can benefit from it too, like on this forum.

All the best to you, and hopefully you can get your problem solved.

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11

Thanks, neither I asked for private consulting nor I required. Obviously, I cannot share my research gaps and objectives publicly.

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Well, your choice. If you want to keep everything secret, then it is difficult for others to help you.

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