Home 3D printing technologies include devices and materials designed for individual users who want to create simple prototypes, decorative models, objects of everyday use, spare parts, and other objects at home. Such technologies tend to be more affordable and easy to use and offer limited functionality compared to industrial 3D printing systems. They most often use polymeric filaments, such as PLA, ABS or PETG, and photosensitive resins in FDM and SLA technologies. Printers designed for home use are used by hobbyists, designers, and small businesses that want to complete small projects in a flexible manner.
Home 3D Printing Technologies
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- FDM printers: Devices operating with fused deposition modelling technology, which involves layering molten filament.
- SLA/DLP printers: Printers using photosensitive resins cured by a laser or projector.
- Polymer filaments: Consumables used in home 3D printers (e.g. PLA, ABS, PETG).
- Slicer software: Tools for preparing a model for printing that make it possible to set parameters such as layer height, print speed, and infill.
- Simple systems for post-processing: Post-treatment equipment, such as grinders, isopropanol baths, and UV light for curing resins.
Industry usage
- Creating decorations: Printing decorative items such as figurines, ornaments, or jewellery.
- DIY: Do-it-yourself projects and printing of tools and spare parts.
- Education: Using 3D printers in schools and universities to teach design and engineering.
- Modelling: Creating architectural models and miniatures for hobby modelling.
- Prototyping: Creating simple prototypes before implementing industrial production.
Importance for the economy
Home 3D printing technologies are opening up new opportunities for small businesses, hobbyists, and independent designers, enabling them to quickly create custom parts, prototypes, and decorative pieces. Thanks to the low cost and increasing availability of devices, these technologies are helping to popularise 3D printing and support the development of modern micro-manufacturing methods. Their widespread use in the education sector and DIY projects promotes increased innovation and creativity in various fields.
Related technologies
Cybersecurity
Protection of project data and safeguards against unauthorised access to remote printers.
Internet of Things
Integrating home 3D printers with IoT systems to monitor and manage the printing process.
Mechanism of action
- Home technologies are based on relatively simple and intuitive methods for building objects layer by layer. FDM printers create models by melting and extruding polymer filaments that are applied to a work platform according to a plan generated by slicer software. With SLA/DLP technology, the liquid resin is cured using a laser or projector to create detailed models with high-quality surfaces. The processes require minimal user intervention, which makes these technologies accessible to those with limited technical experience.
Advantages
- Affordable price: The cost of equipment and materials is much lower than for industrial printers.
- Ease of use: Intuitive interfaces and process automation make these technologies accessible to a wide range of users.
- Product personalisation: Ability to create personalised items, spare parts, and DIY projects.
- Education and development: Facilitating the learning of new technologies and developing technical skills.
- Low operating costs: The cost of operating printers and materials is relatively low compared to industrial printing.
Disadvantages
- Low quality compared to industrial printing: Home printers offer lower quality and precision compared to advanced industrial systems.
- Limited materials: Home printers typically use only basic polymer filaments and resins.
- Risk of damage to the device: The devices are less resistant to intensive use and can be damaged in longer cycles of operation.
- Occupational safety: Inappropriate use of photosensitive resins or materials, such as ABS, can lead to the emission of harmful compounds.
- Problems with copyright protection: The ease of copying 3D models can lead to intellectual property infringement.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Home 3D printers: FDM or SLA/DLP devices suitable for individual use.
- Consumables: PLA, ABS, and PETG filaments and light-sensitive resins.
- CAD/CAM software: Tools for designing and preparing 3D models.
- Cooling and ventilation systems: Equipment to provide a safe environment for working with resins and volatile-emitting filaments.
- Post-processing materials: Finishing tools, such as chemicals, grinders, and UV lighting.
Required competences
- Knowledge of CAD design basics: Ability to create and edit 3D models.
- 3D printing management: Knowledge of printing parameters and operation of home 3D printers.
- Occupational safety: Knowledge of the safe use of materials, especially in the case of resins.
- Post-processing: Ability to process prints for a better quality finish.
- Parameter optimisation: Knowledge of printer settings and materials to optimise the printing process.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: 3D printers can consume a large amount of electricity, especially with longer printing processes or the use of technologies that require additional cooling.
- Emissions of pollutants: The release of harmful chemicals (e.g. volatile organic compounds – VOCs) by some filaments (ABS, ASA) and photosensitive resins, which can pose health risks.
- Recycling: Difficulties in recovering and reusing some materials used in home printers, such as mixed polymers and cured resins.
- Waste generated: Waste from failed prints, leftover filaments, and resin residues from post-processing.
- Raw material consumption: High demand for consumables, such as filaments and resins, which are often consumed in large quantities in experiments and tests.
Legal conditions
- Protection of intellectual property: Regulations for the protection of 3D designs, CAD models, and STL files to prevent unauthorised copying and distribution.
- Regulations for consumables: Standards for the safe use of filaments and resins in the home (e.g. REACH).
- User safety: Regulations for the use of printing devices in a domestic environment, especially regarding the safety of working with materials that emit harmful substances.
- Product certification: Certification requirements for devices intended for home use to ensure their compliance with safety standards and consumer protection regulations.
- Environmental regulations: Regulations for the management of waste generated from the use of home 3D printers and the management of consumables.