3D Pri nt case studi es

Three artists who are embracing 3D printing reveal their technical requirements and what they see in the future for the technology

How did you get into 3D printing?

I used to make props with more traditional tools (jig-saws, finish sanders and other power tools), however when I moved to a one-bedroom condo for school these tools were no longer an option, so I had to look for another way. The alternative I found was 3D printing. Using a printer to make the prop meant I could multitask, building a prop while I attended class, did homework or slept. I started 3D printing so I could continue my hobby, but in the end it revolutionised it.

What materials do you use?

The first material I printed in was actually stainless steel. It was strong, the surface was smooth and all the details were there; however it was extremely expensive. The next material I tried was PLA, which was almost the polar opposite of metal. It was still relatively strong and the material cost was almost negligible, but the surface looked like a blob-covered step pyramid.

The story is the same with practically every print material. Photopolymers can capture very fine details, but they are expensive and relatively weak. Paper is cheap, but the print times are extremely long and much of the material is wasted. Polyamide is a good middle ground in terms of cost, detail, strength and surface finish, but it requires a lot of postprocessing if you want to create a nice end product.

Do you think there will there be a 3D printer in every home?

The tricky thing is when you want to create something that you haven’t made. Once a file is out on the Internet, it’s out there in public for good. It’s out there for people to remix, improve upon, plagiarise and pirate.

I imagine it would be like the digitisation of music and film, but on a much, much larger scale. What happened to the film and music industries would happen to every industry. Furniture, cars, fashion, silverware, pharmaceuticals – everything could potentially exist as a string of 0s and 1s floating around the internet.

In a nutshell, I think it could take off. However I believe the deciding factor in the success of home 3D printing is not if the technology is up to the task, the deciding factor is if society is ready for the technology.

Do you have any advice?

Understanding the scale of your 3D print determines how much detail you should devote to your 3D model. If you are working on miniatures, you’d want to be careful not to overwhelm it with detail. You would also have to make sure that certain areas are not too thin. For largerscale prints, understanding the mouldmaking process can help you design a sculpt that would make the mouldmaking process a lot more efficient.

Why do you use 3D printers?

Printing my 3D models allows me to put out my own product and market myself as an artist. It also teaches me to understand form better. Being able to touch something you sculpted digitally is a very enlightening experience and with every 3D print I make, I learn more about evaluating forms and shapes.

What do you think the future holds for 3D printing?

I think the future for 3D printing looks very promising. Prosumer 3D printers will see a significant drop in pricing due to the expiration of key patents. That will mean that more and more manufacturers will jump on the bandwagon, and competition will only drive the market to produce better and more affordable 3D printers.

What are looking for in a good 3D printer?

For my print, [below] I used a large poly-jet printer that has a layer thickness of 16 microns, which is about a fifth of the thickness of a human hair, so the resolution is perfect for detailed characters. I also love the subsurface scattering effect of the resin they used; it’s great for this type of organic creature. I was very happy with the result. Those printers are quite expensive unfortunately. The more affordable ones currently on the market, are still not high resolution enough for a large detailed character, although it can be great for technical pieces or prototypes. I will probably wait until the technology gets a bit more advanced before purchasing one.

Can you foresee a time when everyone has a printer?

I can easily imagine a time when 3D printing will be as common as regular printing; it’s already used in such a wide variety of fields. There are so many possibilities. Anyone could find a use for it. It still has a long way to go before it becomes accessible and easy to use for everyone, but I think it’s getting there. 3D printing is still in it’s early stages.

What advice would you give to a first-time printer?

Unlike in 3D software, your print will have to withstand gravity, so make sure your pieces have enough support and are not floating in space. If you want it to stand, make sure your model is not too top-heavy and that its centre of gravity is well balanced. I also recommend not wasting too much material on elements that are less important to you. You will save on time, space and cost. And don’t forget to sign the bottom!