Skill Switch designs prints mainly with PETG filament.  ALL bodies are printed in PETG and we do the detail parts with a resin mixture using resin printers.

We have been testing with new materials that exceed the PETG for different uses.  We will be introducing these in the future.

Every month we are testing new orientations, settings, materials, temps, speeds and just trying new things to see if we can improve our product.  Throughout the past few years we have been mainly focussing on bodies but we have so much more we would like to cover with our 36 years being in this hobby.  So we will be introducing a few new products coming FALL of 2023!

The one thing we see a lack of in 3d prints is knowledge of the materials, understanding the process and overall knowing what you are buying.  I think there is a thought of oh, 3d print, I'm getting a Model Kit quality body of what I want.  Yes and no.  So I figured making a page to clear up any questions and help people understand 3d printing and the pro's and con's of the materials used.  I won't give you my opinions as pro's and con's, I'll just share the PROPERTIES of the materials.  Now of course, these properties are if they are being printed properly for a final product.  So let's get into it!

FDM PRINTING (fused deposition modeling)
FDM builds parts layer by layer by selectively depositing melted material in a predetermined path. It uses thermoplastic polymers that come in filaments to form the final physical objects.  Whichever material you use, nozzle and build platform temperatures, build speed, layer height and cooling fan speed all play a factor in the final product produced.

SLA or RESIN PRINTING (Photopolymerization)
Photopolymerization is a chemical reaction of a liquid material that changes its properties when subjected to light (UV, laser, etc.). The scientific term for such liquids is photopolymers or light-activated resins, and in 3D printing, they are just referred to as resins.

FDM PRINTING is basically melted plastic layed down in layers.  Depending on the layer height, it will leave layer lines, size depending on layer height, the smaller layer height, the longer the print.  Finished product will need work to be smooth ready for paint.
SLA or RESIN PRINTING is a tub of liquid resin being formed by a "LAZER" of UV light.  Resulting is a smooth surface and HIGH detail.

So we should use RESIN then right?  High detail, smooth surface?  Hold on......

LET'S LOOK AT MATERIAL PROPERTIES......

 

I was going to list here but that would take up tooooo much room.  I suggest hitting the link below, they have a very good breakdown of them all.

 

We do suggest you research 3d printing materials before you purchase any prints.  They all have pro's and con's, it's about what will work for your application and we are always transparent on what we are printing with.  Except our formula we have found with resin, haha!
 

 

 

 ALL3DP


 

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