So you have an exciting idea for a rubber-like 3D printed model. Great! Before rushing off to print it, keep these modelling tips in mind:
Printing with flexible filaments can be tough for most 3D printers. Generally, the more elastic the filament is, the more difficult it is to print with. To ease the pain, follow these steps:
Print still not looking good? Don’t fret — this article on common 3D printing problems can help you troubleshoot.
Due to the difficulty of printing with rubber-like filaments, it’s often much easier to hire a 3D printing service. Services such as Shapeways or i.Materialise have high-end printers, quality filament, and professionals with experience in 3D printing.
If you’re looking for a truly high-quality model mailed to your door, this is the way to go. You can save not only money buying a whole roll of rubber-like filament, but also time fine-tuning settings on your printer.
Provided the model fits within their guidelines, these services provide excellent prints for reasonable prices. To find the best deals, use our 3D printing price comparison service. Simply upload the 3D model file digitally, choose which material to print it in (in this case, flexible plastic), and instantly compare prices between different services.