Welcome to the 3D Printing Services | Additive Manufacturing TechForum page!
The 3D Printing Configurator is a new service offering Additive Manufacturing services to Digi-Key’s customers. Turn your 3D models – whether they be mechanical, enclosures, gidgets or gadgets – into tangible items to complete your projects.
To get started, start at the 3D Printing Configurator splash page to log in.
Brief Sales Specifications:
Now shipping to US Only locations
Processing Time: approx. 5-7 days
Printing locations: San Jose, Seattle or Guadalajara.
Technology Differences:
Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF)
High speed sintering (HSS) is a production grade additive manufacturing process that produces both functional prototypes and end use parts. Parts made are nearly isotropic – meaning high strength in all 3 dimensions. HSS has a high economy of scale by utilizing batch printing principles which lower part cost. There is no support material necessary in this printing technology, which makes it a great place to start with part conversion from injection molding. There are only 3 materials available for HSS, and is often expensive compared to some other 3D Printing methods. The surface finish is porous, and often will need primer if being painted.
Fused Deposition Filament (FDM) and Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Printing Process
FDM is the most common and simple 3D printing method that offers mid-range quality and variety of materials. It uses an extrusion process utilizing filament. Parts are printed layer by layer from the bottom upwards. There are a wide range of materials offered when compared to other Additive manufacturing methods. This process allows for large parts to be printed in a variety of materials, many of which are certified for regulated industries. FDM/FFF offers a lower quality surface finish and dimensional accuracy, parts are also not isotropic, and are weaker where the bonds lay, especially in the Z direction. FFF/FDM also does not offer economies of scale, because it can only produce one part at a time and does not utilize batch printing.
Learn more here: Fused filament fabrication - Wikipedia
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Similar to HSS, parts print inside a powder bed, but SLS utilizes a laser fusion system. It has a larger build envelope allowing for larger part production and has a larger material set than HSS. Parts can be used for nearly isotropic functional models, great for prototyping, bridge production, and in some cases serial production.
Learn more here: Selective laser sintering - Wikipedia
Machine Specifications, Physical Size Limitations and Accuracy
| Process | Machine | Size | X,Y, Z accuracy | Materials Printed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MJF | HP MJF 4200 | 380 x 284 x 380 mm | +/- .3mm and .3% over 100mm | HP 3D HR PA12, HP 3D HR PA12GB, HP 3D HR PA11. Click to see HP Materials Brochure |
| FDM | Stratasys 450mc | 406 x 355 x 406 mm | Parts are produced within an accuracy of ± .127 mm (± .005 in.) or ± .0015 mm/mm (± .0015 in/in), whichever is greater. | ABS-M30, ABS-M30i, ABS-ESD7, ASA, PC-ISO, PC, PC-ABS, FDM Nylon 12, FDM Nylon 6, ST-130, Ultem 9085, Ultem 1010. View All Stratasys Materials Here |
| FDM | Stratasys 900mc | 914 x 610 x 914 mm | Parts are produced within an accuracy of: ± .09 mm (.0035 in) or ± .0015 mm/mm (.0015 in/in), whichever is greater. | ABS-M30. ABS-M30i, ABS-ESD7, Antero 800NA, ASA, PC-ISO, PC, PC-ABS, PPSF, FDM Nylon 12, FDM Nylon 12CF, FDM Nylon 6, ST-130, Ultem 9085, Ultem 1010. View All Stratasys Materials Here |
| FFF | Ultimaker (UM2,UM3,S5,S3) | 223 x 220 x 205 mm | Any compatible market material | |
| SLS | EOS P396 | 340 x 340 x 600 mm | +/- .3mm and .3% over 100mm | EOS PA2200, ALM FR106, JEM PA4050GB |
| SLS | EOS P770 | 700 x 380 x 580 mm | +/- .3mm and .3% over 100mm | EOS PA2200, ALM FR106 |
| SLS | Farsoon HT1001P | 1000 x 500 x 450 mm | +/- .3mm and .3% over 100mm | JEM PA4000, PA4050GB |
| SLS | Farsoon HT403P | 400×400×450 mm | +/- .3mm and .3% over 100mm | JEM PA4000, PA050GB |
Accepted File Formats
| File Type | File Extension |
|---|---|
| 3DXML | .3dxml |
| 3MF | .3mf |
| ACIS | .sat, .sab, .asat, .assab |
| CATIA V4 | .model, .exp, .session |
| CATIA V5 1 | .CATPart, CATProduct4 |
| 3DExperience (CATIA V6) 2 | .CATPart, .CATProduct4, .3dxml |
| IGES | .igs, .iges |
| Inventor 4 | .ipt (V6 – V2019), .iam (V11-V2019) |
| JT | .jt |
| JT Direct | .jt |
| NX 5 | .prt |
| NX Direct 5 | .prt |
| OBJ | .obj |
| Parasolid 6 | .x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin, .p_b, .xmp_bin, .p_t, .xmp_txt |
| Parasolid Direct 6 | .x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin, .p_b, .xmp_bin, .p_t, .xmp_txt |
| Pro/E / Creo 7 | .prt, .asm4 |
| Rhino 14 | .3dm |
| Solid Edge 8 | .par, .asm4, .psm |
| Solid Edge Direct 8 | .par, .asm4, .psm |
| SolidWorks 9, 10 | .sldprt, sldasm4 |
| SolidWorks Direct 9,10 | .sldprt, .sldsm4 |
| STEP | .stp, .step |
| STL | .stl |
| VDA-FS | .vda |