FDM Resin Categories

ABS Materials

ABS materials demonstrate the characteristics of a thermoplastic on our fused deposition modeling machine. These materials are environmentally stable and have no appreciable warpage, shrinkage, nor moisture absorption. In this main category of materials there are or different subcategories of ABS thermoplastics each with their specialties.

PC-ABS Materials

PC-ABS is the material blend of polycarbonate and ABS materials. They offer secure mechanical properties and heat resistance of PC combined with excellent future definition and surface feel of ABS. However the lawyers are still thick and noticeable and tolerance is double that of the SLA.

PC Materials

Polycarbonate-based materials exhibit exacts properties of the thermoplastic, they are also biocompatible and are ideal for medical pharmaceutical or food packaging uses. They're able to be stabilized using gamma, or ethylene oxide sterilization methods.

PPSF/PPSU Materials

These materials have the highest heating chemical resistance of all STM serials. They are ideal for use in the medical field because they are sterilized bubble via steam autoclaves, ETO, plasma, chemical, and radiation sterilization procedures. They are ideal for high heat and caustic environments.

FDM Finishing

Standard (Class 1A)

Finish applied to all Models

1. Remove support material

Improved (Class 2A)

Finish that is applied to models that are for engineering or product review

1. Remove support Material
2. Sand Entire Model with 220 – 320
3. Beadblast
4. Finish wet sand with 320

Primer  + 2 days  (Class 3A)

A primer finish will require that all the build lines on a part be sanded off. The part complexity and geometry will dictate the cost of this step. Typically only the outer facing surfaces will be finished to this level unless otherwise specified. The procedure for Primed finish is as follows:

1. Sand with 220 to 320 until all build lines are removed
2. Lightly coat with heavy build automotive primer then sand with 320 to 600 until the primer is removed and all surface imperfections have been filled.
3. Apply 2 – 3 coats of primer on the part and wet sand with 600 in between coats to create a uniform surface

Presentation  + 4 days or more depending on complexity  (Class 4A)

A paint job can consist of one color, multiple colors, or customer graphics created via airbrushing or venial graphics. The general adopted color matching systems for paints is Pantone Color Match or, in some cases PPG. For custom graphics customer can supply the RBG numbers that are used in graphics programs to produce the color. The procedure for paintings as follows:

1. Part must be finished to primed level
2. Custom Color Numbers must be provided to color match, if multicolor models are required jpeg’s depicting paint scheme must be provided. Additional is graphics are required the native graphic files is needed (Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel, PDF)

Note: Painting does at a thickness of up to .005” too the parts and design considerations should be made.

Custom Finishes

Nickel Plating +3 days

SLA parts can be nickel plated using the following procedure: Remove supports and sand with 320 grit to remove exterior build lines

1. Paint with conductive paint and electroplate with copper coating
2. Electroplate with nickel coating

Note: Nickel Plating can add up to 50 microns of thickness to the part. The newly plated part will now have improved mechanical properties. The metal plating will provide a increased resistant to chemical, improved heat deflection, waterproof model, provided electrical conductivity, and improve the mechanical properties up to 3x the impact strength.