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What 3D Printer Filament is Right for Me?

One of the most exciting aspects of modern 3D printing is the fact that a single FDM printer can be used to create parts from a very large selection of materials. Whether a part needs to be rigid and tolerant of high temperatures or flexible and resistant to impact stress, there's a filament material available that will give the part the exact physical properties it needs. If you want to become truly proficient with 3D printing technology, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the major 3D printer filament types that are available on the market today. Here's what you should know about some of the most commonly used filaments and their properties.

Can Lasers Cut Metal?

When comparing different laser cutters, people usually want to know what materials are compatible. A popular question is whether lasers can cut metal or if traditional cutting is required instead. Industrial lasers absolutely can cut and engrave metal. In fact, laser cutters and plasma cutters are commonly used for this purpose. Most lasers capable of cutting through even steel plates are high power capacity CO2 lasers. Metals such as stainless steel and aluminum can be cut with a laser when compressed gas technology is used.https://digilab.dremel.com/products/materials

teacher and student with 3D printed project

Lakeview Technology Academy Makes STEM Approachable with 3D Printing

With a mission to prepare students for opportunities in technical fields, Lakeview Technology Academy fuels ingenuity with 3D printing.

3D printing isn’t a new concept for Matt Schultz. When the engineering and technology instructor at Lakeview Technology Academy began using 3D printing technology in his courses five years ago, he recognized its potential to engage and inspire students. But because the first 3D printers were delicate and expensive, Schultz was unable to give his students complete control over the design and printing process.

What's the Value of Fostering Creativity in the Classroom or Workplace?

In many of today's classrooms, the focus has shifted away from creativity to the ability to take tests. Students often find themselves regurgitating information instead of actively engaging with it, learning how to take tests instead of how to genuinely interact with the material. Fostering creativity in the classroom, however, goes far beyond student performance on tests. Both in the classroom and in future workplaces, creativity is increasingly important.

Five Advantages of 3D Printing for Prototyping

Although 3D printing is often discussed as a solution for small-scale manufacturing, the technology can also play an important role in the process of prototyping and refining new products. Large corporations have been using this technology to prototype their products for years, but as the prices of printers have dropped, 3D printing has also become an accessible prototyping tool for smaller businesses. Following are five of the most important advantages of 3D printing in the prototyping process that all business owners should be aware of before they buy a 3D printer.

How Architects Use 3D Printers

In a highly competitive market, architects have to attract the attention of clients with a top notch presentation in order to win their contracts. One means of doing so is through creating an attractive 3D model of the proposed project. 3D printing had greatly enhanced the 3D modeling process for architects.

Make Your Phone or Laptop Amazing with a Laser Cutter

Whether you're looking at your old phone and wishing you could make it more interesting or you're looking to bake some personality into your brand new device, laser engraving your phone can be one of the most fun and most interesting looking ways to make your device uniquely yours.

Of course, laser engravers aren't only limited to your mobile hardware. You can engrave some incredible designs on your laptop as well, which can help you stand out from the crowd.

Don't worry! Laser engraving has some hyper-functional purposes as well. But, before you jump into the laser engraving hobby, let's look at how to laser engrave a phone or pc, why you would want to, and what kind of equipment you'll need to get the job done.

Five Benefits of Using 3D Printers for Education

Being a teacher is hard work. Not only do you have to deliver lessons that are informative and engaging, but you also have to ensure that you're preparing your students for the workforce. Even in elementary school, teaching students foundational skills that are relevant to their future, such as the STEM and STEAM curriculum, is no longer optional. Educators are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to bring their students together, engage their curiosity, and teach them 21st-century skills, and it can be a challenge. However, using 3d printers for education can be a powerful way to foster creativity, communication and collaboration, critical thinking, design thinking, and iterative development.

3D Printer Filament Spotlight: The Quick Guide to ABS

For every 3D printing project, there's the perfect 3D filament - but with all the different materials and filament types on the market today, how can you select the right material for the job? Sorting through the pros and cons of each filament can be complicated, so we've put together a handy reference guide to help you analyze one of the most commonly used filaments on the market today: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, better known as ABS filament. We analyzed strength, flexibility, durability, ease of printing, and other features help you decide whether ABS filament is right for you.

3D Printer Software: What You Need To Know

One of the most important - and most often undervalued - tools in 3D printing is the slicing software. At Dremel DigiLab, we firmly believe that understanding your software and choosing the right platform can make all the difference in the quality and integrity of your prints. To help you achieve your production goals, we've put together a guide to explain what 3D slicing software is, why it's important, and how to choose the software that's right for you.

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