Other 3D Printing Options

Summary of 3D Printing with the Makerspaces

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3D Printing is actually a large umbrella term describing additive manufacturing methods that work on the principle of adding material together into a solid object. In the Maker Spaces, we host 5 different types of 3D Printing technologies. If the NExT Lab's technologies are not suitable for your projects, another Maker Space may provide your requirements:

Fused Deposition Modelling (NExT Lab)

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a material-extrusion based additive manufacturing process. Objects are built layer by layer, following a software-generated path. It is the primary 3D printing technology employed at the NExT Lab.

A solid, thermoplastic filament (most commonly ABS, PETG and PLA) is heated to melting point (usually between 180° and 220°, and fed through a small nozzle (most commonly 0.4mm in diameter).

The nozzle follows paths that are generated in a slicing software (such as Makerbot Print, Ultimaker Cura or Slic3r). This software is also used to generate the necessary support structure and infill to ensure that the object is printed accurately.

This is the primary method of 3D Printing employed at the NExT Lab.

Additional 3D Printing Technologies

Whilst the NExT Lab is home to only FDM machines, the Fab Lab has a Project 660 Pro Powder Printer (Binder Jetting), HP Jet Fusion 4200 and Formlabs Form 3 (SLA / Resin). To help you with your selection of fabrication method, it is important to determine early whether the main design consideration is function or visual appearance.

Follow the page links to check out these alternative 3D Printing technologies:

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Last updated 7 months ago

Fused Deposition Modelling (NExT Lab)

This is the primary method of 3D Printing employed at the NExT Lab.