It is a fact that most of us love the arts. It is a good way to express your creativity and ideas. Arts can also help you to hone your creative skills while having fun.
To make the best of your hobby, you must also have the best equipment to create your masterpiece. You need a 3D pen to produce impressive artwork. Furthermore, you must be knowledgeable on how to use it. Don’t worry because this article will be your guide to a 3D pen.
Using a 3D Pen
In today’s modern and digital era, 3D pens are more sensitive to overheating. With this, you must be careful in using extruder clogging and plastic filament. Your 3D pen will work through plastic filament heating until it reaches its melting point to the tip of the extruder.
The 3D pen works like a glue gun. As the plastic filament leaves the tip, it becomes malleable and can be used to a surface and molded to a shape. It will cool down and harden to fill the shape you created.
Finding the best 3D filament
Do you love making plastic art using a 3D pen? If yes, this hobby can be affordable for you. You can improve your artistic skills without spending much of your money. Can you use 3D printer filament in a 3D pen? The answer is yes. However, there are some reminders to make the best of its use. Some of the suggested filaments for your 3D pen include PLA and ABS filaments.
PLA Filament (Polylactic Acid)
You can use the PLA filament with your 3D pen for your wearable projects like jewelry. You must set PLA in a lower temperature setting around 175 degrees Celsius. The PLA is a plant-based filament that contains ingredients like sugar cane and corn starch. You don’t have to worry because this filament can produce a sweet odor. This filament is also biodegradable, so it is environment-friendly.
The PLA filament is easy to use for printing. However, it is more brittle than other 3D printer filaments in the market. It can’t withstand higher temperatures, so you must avoid using it with high-wear toys, mobile phone cases as well as tool handles. If you learn to use it correctly, you can expect to receive quality with your 3D printing project. It has low warp and can be useful in different applications.
The PLA is considered the safest to use filament for 3D pen especially for children. It can be dissolved by using dichloromethane. The downside about using the PLA filament is that it can last longer if you expose it to some elements. You can find it from candy wrappers, grocery bags, food contains and other daily uses. It is based on natural materials, so it is a little bit stiff material for 3D printing.
PLA filament enables you to paint on metal, ceramic as well as glass surfaces. It has enhanced fluidity, which offers good cohesion on layers. With that, it can offer better durability. Meanwhile, this filament is more difficult to handle and grind than the ABS. It can also react to moisture that can lead to discoloration, nozzle clogging, and deterioration.
ABS Filament (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
The ABS filament is also among the top materials for 3D printing. Unlike the PLA, the ABS filament is recyclable and has a strong burning plastic smell when it gets heated. With this, you must use a face mask upon using it. This filament is also environment-friendly. It has a flame color.
This filament is strong, malleable, and flexible with wear resistance. It can also withstand higher temperatures. It has semi-toxic fumes, so a closed printer is advisable. With the use of this filament, you can expect a glossy surface with your project.
It can also be recycled as ordinary plastic. It is an oil-based filament. It can do your project to complete faster. The suggested temperature of using ABS filament with your 3D pen is about 210 degrees Celsius. Compared to PLA, this filament is stronger. Meanwhile, the ABS filament is known to shrink and warp slightly.
It has low stickiness, so you can use it for drawing on paper. It is useful for gears, belt buckles, cups, and outdoor plastic. It can be processed and ground easily. With its foul odor, you must have proper ventilation.
Another negative aspect of ABS filament is that it can splatter and bubble when wet. With this, the accuracy, appearance, and strength of the resulting object can be affected. It is also prone to overheating during the process.
Both ABS and PLA filaments are useful for your 3D printing pen. With their features, advantages, and disadvantages, you can decide which one will work best for your 3D printing projects. With 3D printers, your 3D pen can have filament extruding after the release of the feed button.
Making Masterpiece with your 3D Pen
With the use of your 3D pen, you can make impressive artworks. You can make 3D sketches, decorations, and other beautiful 3D projects. If you are new to the world of 3D printing, don’t be discouraged since there is always room for improvement.
If you want to enjoy the best experience with your art hobby, you must choose the best 3D pen as well as 3D filaments to produce quality and perfect objects. Mastering these skills requires time, dedication, and effort, so you must be patient until you make the best masterpiece that you can be proud of.
With lots of 3D printing materials available in the market, you can’t be so sure which one is the right for your specific needs. By applying the ideas mentioned in this article, we hope that you can choose the best 3D printer filament for your professional 3D pen.
With that, you can enjoy and enhance your learning experience. You may not know it, but you can develop a great 3D project that you can use as a beautiful display in your home.
