3D Printing in Calgary with 3’D Revolution Technologies

3D printing has emerged as the ideal choice for businesses seeking innovative solutions to their manufacturing needs. This technology not only offers efficiency but also serves as the ideal choice for people in need of prototyping, designing, and production. At 3'D Revolution Technologies in Calgary we help turn your idea into a reality. We Make IT Real! We specialize in using economical hybrid Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques and combine it with our inhouse 3D printer ecosystem and post processing method for rapid prototyping and commercial manufacturing.

3D printing, or AM, can help create missing parts, streamline production processes, and more. In this blog, we outline how you can take advantage of this incredible innovative technology. If you’d like to know how we can help, you can contact us by clicking here.

How Does 3D Printing Work? At-Home 3D Printing vs. Professional 3D Printing

At-Home 3D Printing

At a basic level, 3D printing creates three-dimensional objects layer by layer from a digital model. The typical at-home process involves the following steps:

1. Designing a 3D Model: The first step is to create a digital 3D model of the object to be printed. This can be done using Computer-Aided Design, or CAD files, or by downloading existing models from online repositories like Thingiverse.

2. Slicing the Model: Next, the 3D model is sliced into thin, horizontal layers using a slicing software. This software divides the digital model into numerous cross-sectional layers, which will be used as a guide for the 3D printer to create the physical object layer by layer.

3. Preparing the 3D Printer: Today’s 3D printers can be loaded with a wide range of printing materials. Plastic filament, such as ABS or PLA filament, are commonly used for at-home printers. High strength can be achieved with different materials, such as metal powders, although they’re more commonly used by professional 3D printing companies like 3’D Revolution Technologies in Calgary. Interested in working with an expert on your 3D printing project? Get in touch with us by clicking here.

4. Printing the Object: The 3D printer follows the sliced layers created by the slicing software. The printing material is deposited, solidified, or fused, layer by layer, according to the instructions provided by the sliced model. Different 3D printing technologies use various methods to achieve this, including extrusion, resin curing, powder fusion, or sintering. Bottom line: For best results, you want to use a high-quality printer.

5. Layer Bonding and Cooling: As each layer is deposited, the material is bonded to the previous layer. Advanced printing technology sometimes involves melting, curing, or fusing the material together. To achieve exceptional print qualities using these methods, years of 3D printer training is often required. At 3'D Revolution Technologies in Calgary, we have been using these methods predictably for more than 5 years.

6. Building the Object: The 3D printer continues building up layers until the entire object is formed. The layer-by-layer approach allows for intricate and complex geometries to be created. While it’s often easy for people to create visual prototypes, printing functional parts is rather challenging. We have extensive experience creating high quality prints that serve a specific purpose or function beyond just being a visual or aesthetic model. View our gallery for more information.

7. Post-Processing: Once the printing is complete, the object may undergo post-processing steps. This can include removing support structures, cleaning, sanding, or applying additional finishing touches to achieve the desired final appearance and functionality.

Professional 3D Printing in Calgary

3’D Revolution Technologies is in the heart of Southern Alberta, the City of Calgary. We’re not just a local print shop; instead, we’re a leading 3d printing company in Canada with exceptional customer service and years of experience in additive manufacturing. We consider ourselves to be a professional 3D printing service and not an at-home 3d printing service. At-home 3D printing and professional 3D printing processes differ in several aspects, including the equipment used, materials available, print quality, and overall capabilities. Here are some key differences between at-home and professional 3D printing:

1. Equipment

• At-Home 3D Printing: Typically involves consumer-grade 3D printers that are compact, affordable, and designed for personal use, such as those that can be bought on Amazon. Common technologies for at-home use include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) using desktop-sized machines.
• Professional 3D Printing: Utilized industrial-grade 3D printer technology, which is larger, more precise, and capable of handling a wider range of materials. Professional printers may include high-end FDM printing machines, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) or other advanced technology.

2. Materials

• At-Home 3D Printing: Typically uses consumer-friendly materials such as PLA and ABS filaments for FDM printers, and resin for SLA printers. While there is a growing variety of materials for at-home use, the range is more limited compared to professional options and is not the preferred choice of printing for functional prints.
• Professional 3D Printing: Offers a broader selection of materials, including various plastics, metals, ceramics, and composite materials. Professional printers can handle engineering-grade materials with specific properties, such as high heat resistance, flexibility, or conductivity. Professional 3D printing is also commonly used for rapid prototyping services.

3. Print Quality and Precision

• At-Home 3D Printing: Provides good resolution and accuracy for hobbyist and DIY projects. Print quality may vary based on the printer’s specifications and settings.
• Professional 3D Printing: Offers higher precision, finer layer resolution, and smooth surface finish. Professional printers are designed for applications where tight tolerances and exceptional details are critical during the additive manufacturing process.

4. Build Volume

• At-Home 3D Printing: Typically has smaller build volumes suitable for printing smaller objects or prototypes.
• Professional 3D Printing: Features larger build volumes than traditional machining, and the printing produces larger and more complex parts. This is particularly important for industries like aerospace or automotive, where components may be substantial.

5. Speed and Throughput

• At-Home 3D Printing: Generally, has slower print speeds and lower throughput compared to professional-grade machines.
• Professional 3D Printing: Offers faster print speeds and higher throughput, enabling the production of multiple parts in a shorter time frame. This is ideal for rapid prototyping.

6. Support and Maintenance

• At-Home 3D Printing: User-friendly and typically requires minimal maintenance. Users can troubleshoot and perform basic repairs with ease.
• Professional 3D Printing: May require specialized training for operation and maintenance. Professional-grade machines often have more complex features and may need regular calibration and maintenance by trained technicians.

7. Cost

• At-Home 3D Printing: More affordable price, with a range of budget-friendly printers available for personal use. An at-home printer is a great way to practice additive manufacturing due to its low cost.
• Professional 3D Printing: Involves higher initial costs for both the printer and materials. However, professional printing may offer cost-effectiveness for large-scale production and high-quality results.

While both at-home and professional 3D printing share the fundamental additive manufacturing process, the differences in equipment, materials, precision, and capabilities make each suitable for specific applications and user needs.

At-home 3D printing is excellent for hobbyists, educators, and small-scale prototyping, while professional 3D printing is crucial for industries requiring advanced materials, larger volumes, and high precision. At 3'D Revolution Technologies, we understand the importance of affordability in making 3D printing accessible to all. Our commitment goes beyond competitive pricing; it's about providing an affordable way for individuals, businesses, and industries to transform their ideas into reality. Explore how our professional experience and specialized services offer an affordable way to unlock the potential of 3D printing for everyone.

More About 3’D Revolution Technologies in Calgary

3'D Revolution Technologies offers an extensive list of affordable 3D printing services Calgary. We've also developed our own innovative processes to help you Make It Real! Our 3D printing services include Rapid Prototyping and Production printing on FDM, ADM, CFF, CJP, DMP, MJP, SLA, SLS printer platforms

For over five years, 3'D Revolution Technologies has been delivering top-notch affordable services in Calgary. Whether you're focused on innovation or manufacturing, our expertise in 3D printing can significantly enhance and expedite your product development, propelling you swiftly towards commercial production.

Additionally, we provide various post-print processing services to optimize the functionality and appearance of your 3D printed components. This includes 3D Fusion for enhanced strength and functionality, painted finishes for a showroom-quality appearance, and heat-set inserts for durability and functionality. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help Make IT Real, feel free to get in touch.