3D printing technology is said to help save money as it is a cheaper way to produce orthodontics, prosthetics, home items and various medical and consumer items that are usually expensive and complicated to produce. Bigger additive manufacturing companies save a lot on production costs and time.
However, for hobbyists, prosumers, or small businesses, 3D printing doesn’t come cheap. Just the 3D printers and materials alone (at least the good quality ones) are already expensive. Here are 7 money-saving tips to help you reduce the costs in your 3D printing projects.
Optimize your 3D design
The best way to cut costs on your 3D printing project is to start by optimizing your 3D design to use the least amount of materials. First, select the optimal print settings to prevent printing issues and improve print quality.
Second, look into changing the orientation of your design to prevent the need for support structures since they require extra material. Make sure that your design doesn’t have overhangs of more than 45° so that it won’t need supports.
Lastly, reduce the size of your design if you can. Smaller designs understandably require less material.
Lower the infill percentage
By reducing the infill percentage, you can reduce the material by up to 15%. You don’t always need a dense infill, especially for decorative models. Not only will you be saving up on filaments with lowering infill percentage, but it will also make printing time faster.
Reduce the density of your design
If you don’t need your print filled out, make it hollow to save up on filaments and printing time. Be careful that your design meets the minimum wall thickness of the filament that you’ll use to maintain structural integrity. Refer to the filament’s manufacturer’s guidelines for its minimum wall thickness.
Increase the layer height and resolution
The lower the layer height, the smoother your 3D print will be. However, this comes at the cost of longer printing time and more materials used. In order to reduce costs, lower the layer height if the resolution isn’t that important for your project.
Use only high-quality materials
Although you can save a lot on cheap filaments from Amazon and eBay, their quality isn’t that great and they might cause more harm than good during printing. You’ll be better off buying high-quality filaments that cost a bit more but can deliver better 3D prints consistently. Luckily, X3D Pro filaments are both reasonably priced and of high quality. We offer most filament types and even specialty blends. Don’t take our word for it, read the positive customer reviews at the bottom part of each filament page.
You also have to consider the type of filament you use. Specialty filaments may look good but they are typically expensive. If they don’t match your needs, just choose to settle for cheaper filament types such as regular PLA or ABS.
Look out for deals and freebies
Hunting for bargains is one of the best ways to save money. Here at X3D, you can score winner deals on filaments and more. Here are the best X3D deals that we have at the moment:
- Free shipping on filaments and samples
- Yes, you read that right. You can buy filament samples so that you can try them first without committing to a full filament roll!
- Get free samples every time you order a filament
- You also get 5% off your filament order when you log on to your account
Try online 3D printing services
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, 3D printers and filaments can be expensive. To avoid massive outlay, use a 3D printing service especially if you’re just starting out. Outsourcing allows you to easily scale up or down.
Save money on 3D printing!
Make 3D printing a money-saving venture with these tips. For affordable yet high-quality filaments, you can check out X3D Pro Filaments here. You can also request for a free quote on our 3D Printing Services here. For inquiries, contact us on 6380 7488 and x3d@x3d.com.au.