What's new
By:
Pinball info

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

3D Printing Supplier

AlanJ

AlanJ

Site Supporter
5Years
Joined
Dec 27, 2017
Messages
8,338
Location
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Hi,

I have designed some small parts that I want to get 3D printed in hard plastic (nylon?? or whatever - Im no expert) , Qty of 25-50 per design. Been trying to find a good 3D printer - looking on web - prices see to vary wildly.

Anyone got any recommended suppliers please?
 
unless it specifically needs nylon (something like gears or low friction parts) id probably avoid nylon. Its strong but soft/elastic and hydroscopic so absorbs moisture over time which can cause issues.

What is the part and what specific properties do you need? when you say hard, do you mean rigid and impact resistant (nylon wont be rigid)

Im using PLA+ for most functional parts these days. If you want to post a pic or pm a pic of the part and dimensions i might be able to knock these off for you alan. Depends on the material properties you need and how big the part is.
 
Last edited:
SLS PA12 is selective laser sintered from powder, real industrial stuff. Thats why they claim near injection moulded performance (i bet its still not ;)

Must be some very demanding application your needing and will no doubt cost a premium for it. Are you sure your not over engineering?

regular ABS or PLA+ covers most bases for general use case from my experience and easily doable to a high standard on a quality home machine but need more info on the part to chip in a proper opinion.

also have pro grade SLA machines at work for resin printing if the part is small and needs high detail with super high dimensional accuracy. Have a resin which is pretty robust (beige colour only) but not as strong as FDM printed ABS/PLA+.
 
Last edited:
Aha - thats interesting, as I say, just looking around for suppliers. The part is a housing for bally / stern board connectors:

1641984910152.png1641984930923.png
 
Ah right OK, not sure an SLS process would be the best for that due to the small detail needed. I reckon your best bet for that might actually be resin (SLA).

The strongest resin i have here would probably work fine for that i reckon, the only problem is, its beige colour only.

I have black/grey here which is an ABS "Like" resin which might be OK.

Dont mind printing a couple off for you if you want to take a look (no charge). Always interested to see what the machines/resins will do. If you think its going to work can sort something out on pinballinfo rates ;), ie more or less cost.

the parts an easy setup for printing and will work fine in resin so not allot of work.

Forget FDM for this really as its too detailed IMHO. might be OK with a .1 or 0.05 layer height but would take bloody ages to print a bunch of them.

Only worry with the resin is if it will stand up strength wise for the little tabs but only way to know is print it and see.
 
OK NO probs, when your ready then shout and we will have a play :)

can get a white version of the ABS "like" resin if its strong enough, but print using what i have here to start with and see if it works well enough first.

Would be great if it is, can pump out 50 of those in a 1hour ish print on the resin printer!.
 
I'm quite to knock some of these out for you too if needed. (Not sure how well they will work in PLA - but can give them a shot)
 
Last edited:
I think I still have some old Bally boards kicking around - so I can at least check the fit :)
(Are the williams boards not the same pitch etc? )
 
the little tabs will snap off in pla (to stiff and brittle)

ABS might be ok or maybe petg. nylon would be great due to the tabs (might flex too much) but what a bugger to print that stuff is.
 
I think I have a roll of petg - just not opened it yet. Never tried printing nylon. I know the flex stuff is a pita to print :(
And the wood stuff tends to clog ya nozzle (fnarr)
 
yeah nylons super hydroscopic. Has to be oven dried even out of the packet, then kept in a dryer whilst printing and everytime you use it has to be dried out for a good hour or two first.
Complete pain.

The main problem with FDM for this is will need a very small layer height to produce the small shapes cleanly. Producing any amount will take forever. with a .4 nozzle not even sure .05 height would be clean enough.

Its a perfect SLA print from a process point of view, downside with SLA is whilst the hardware is there, the material science is often lagging. So its trade offs which ever way you go (unless injection moulded, then the trade off is cost!!)
 
Last edited:
I've thought if getting a resin printer. Not sure i'm keen the post production ive heard the need.
I'm also pondering replacing my CR10 with a newer version - one with dual extruders so can use soluble filament for supports.
 
yeah resins a PITA!. Needs a proper dedicated space where no ones going to moan about the smell and its a messy toxic process TBH.

Tried running one resin printer at home and gave up pretty quick and just keep em at work now.

Cant beat em for certain types of printing though (anything that needs high detail basically).

Pre-Ordered a Prusa XL (up to 5 heads) but not due until Q3 i think. Looks like a beast of a printer.

The prusa Mk3 i have has been faultless so hopefully that continues with the XL.

Really want to get a killer bee CNC ordered and also a laser cutter but just dont have the time to play with it all at the moment due to work :(. Roll on retirement!!
 
AlanJ said:
Hi,

I have designed some small parts that I want to get 3D printed in hard plastic (nylon?? or whatever - Im no expert) , Qty of 25-50 per design. Been trying to find a good 3D printer - looking on web - prices see to vary wildly.

Anyone got any recommended suppliers please?
Click to expand...
Sorry it’s been a while since I don’t use forums, more into Facebook these days… please read the response above ☝️
 
Crewey said:
Hi @ScoobyPrints please can you advise if £14 (inc. vat) before delivery is a reasonable price I've been quoted for these 2 light baffles to be printed, cheers.
Pinbot 3d print light baffles
Click to expand...
Hey mate. Not sure how big is it but assuming is just a small baffle (is a couple of inches a good size estimate?) I’d say a bit too much, but it might be a minimum rate or something. It all depends really on how long it takes to print. My rate for small things like this is around £10 posted but all depends on what they’re offering.

(Not trying to cover their quote or anything, just giving you my price range so you could gauge…)
 
Hi @ScoobyPrints thanks the reply. The items are larger than an inch or two, here's what they look like on a pinbot backbox. Can I assume that the printer files linked have the incorrect scale measurements? Thank youScreenshot_20220419-225249.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom