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3D Printing vs CNC Service: How to Choose the Right Manufacturing Method

3D printing and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) service are two popular manufacturing methods that have gained widespread attention in recent years. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, involves building 3D objects layer by layer from a digital model, while CNC service, also known as subtractive manufacturing, involves cutting away material from a solid block to create a desired shape. Both methods offer unique capabilities and advantages, and understanding their key characteristics is ......

Mar 20,2024

How to Get Better Overhangs in 3D Printing - Complete Fix Guide

Why 3D Printing Overhangs Matter (and Why They’re So Frustrating) (Source: ABCD4WS via Reddit) Ever printed a model and noticed parts drooping, curling, or turning into stringy disasters mid-air? That’s an overhang issue. Overhangs are parts of a print that jut out beyond previous layers, meaning they have little to no material beneath them for support. If not handled properly, they result in poor surface quality, failed prints, or ugly warped edges. Real-World Example: Say you’re printing a figurine ......

How to Benefit from 3D Scanning Uses

The Diverse Application of 3D Scanning Methods 3D scanning has become a perfect tool in engineering, design, and manufacturing. By capturing the geometry, and surface texture of objects, 3D scanning techniques enable the creation of high-resolution 3D models with the best accuracy. While 3D scanning has existed for decades, recent advancements have made it faster, more precise, and accessible to both industry and enthusiasts. This article explores the main 3D scanning methods, their benefits, and the ......

Why Your 3D Printer Isn’t Extruding and How to Solve It

You hit Print, the bed warms up, the nozzle homes, the gantry starts its dance… and nothing comes out. No bead, no first layer, just an air print. Few things are more maddening in 3D printing than a 3d printer not extruding when you’re ready to go. This guide tackles the big failure modes you’re likely seeing: a 3d printer not extruding at start, a 3d printer stops extruding mid point, or generally weak, inconsistent flow where the filament's not extruding the way it should. We’ll show you exactly why......

Best 3D Printing Nozzle Guide: Types, Material, and Size

When people think about 3D printing, they usually focus on the printer itself, the filament, or slicing software. But one of the most underrated yet critical parts of any setup is the 3D printer nozzle. This small component controls your layer precision, print speed, surface finish, and even which materials you can successfully print. A good 3D printing nozzle isn’t only for avoiding clogs, it also comes with the ability to push your printer to its full potential. The right one can mean the difference......

How to Market and Sell 3D Printed Items

Cosplay helmets, phone stands, custom tools, even chess sets, people are paying real money for clever 3D prints every single day. The question isn’t can you sell your prints, it’s how you’ll stand out. Of course, it’s not just about owning a printer. The difference between a passion project and a profitable one often comes down to how strategically you approach it. In this guide, we’ll look at how to sell 3D prints effectively, the niches that actually make money, and the first steps you should take b......

How Much Does 3D Printing Cost? A Complete Breakdown

We get this question a lot at JLC3DP: “How much does 3D printing cost?” And here’s the truth: Some projects can be surprisingly cheap, while others cost more than you’d expect. There’s a myth floating around that 3D printing is basically free once you own a printer. (If only it were that simple, right?) The reality is, whether you’re printing at home or outsourcing to a service like ours, the cost depends on a handful of important factors, machine type, materials, design complexity, and even how much ......

CAD to 3D Print: How to Go from Design to Finished Part

When people first hear about going from CAD to 3D print, it sounds almost too simple: design a part, hit print, and you’re done. But anyone who’s actually tried it knows there are a few critical steps hiding in between. The way you export your CAD file, the software you use to prepare it, and how you handle the slicing process can make the difference between a clean, accurate print and something that belongs in the scrap pile. That’s exactly why many engineers and makers turn to JLC3DP and other 3D pr......

How to Clean a 3D Printer Nozzle (and Unclog an Extruder)

We’ve all been there, you set up a print, hit “start,” and ten minutes later, your nozzle starts clicking, under-extruding, or worse… completely clogs. Nothing ruins a project faster. That’s why keeping your 3D printer nozzle and extruder clean isn’t just routine maintenance, it’s the difference between smooth, flawless prints and hours of wasted filament. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to clean a 3D printer nozzle, how to unclog an extruder, and simple ways to prevent clogs before they hap......

Dissolvable 3D Printing Filament: Ultimate Guide & Best Uses

Complex designs often come with a catch: intricate overhangs and internal geometries that are impossible to print without support. That’s where dissolvable 3D printing filament comes in, an advanced material that dissolves away, leaving behind flawless finished parts. Whether you're prototyping precision mechanisms or printing figurines with outstretched arms, soluble 3D printing filament can save hours of manual cleanup while improving print quality. This guide dives deep into dissolvable 3D print ma......

3D Printing Cooling: Fans, Temperatures & Techniques

One of the first things I learned when I started running printers here at JLC3DP is this: your cooling setup can make or break a print. (source：Reddit) We’ve seen it all, wobbly overhangs that look like melted spaghetti to razor-sharp PLA figurines with perfect detail, and most of the difference came down to how well the part cooling fan was dialed in. A proper 3d print fan setup solidifies each layer at the right speed, preventing warping and drooping edges. Without controlled airflow, prints may suf......

6 Fixes for 3D Print Under-Extrusion & Gaps: Causes & Pro Tips

If your 3D print looks like swiss cheese… Read this. You’re excited. Your slicer preview looks solid. You hit print, only to watch your part emerge with strange gaps in the walls, weird holes between lines, or the dreaded under-extruded spaghetti. Gaps in 3D prints are a common frustration, especially for beginners, but they’re not random. They’re signals from your machine that something’s off: the flow, temperature, speed, or settings. The good news? Most of these issues are fixable. In this guide, w......

Best 3D Printer Extruder: Strongest & Most Reliable Options for 2025

The extruder is the heart of your machine. It’s the part that grips, melts, and precisely feeds filament to create each layer of your model. A weak or unreliable extruder can cause clogs, under-extrusion, and inconsistent prints. But with the best 3D printer extruder, you can dramatically improve print quality, reduce downtime, and expand the types of materials you can use. At JLC3DP, we’ve tested dozens of extruder setups for different printers and materials and learned that a strong, reliable extrud......

Best 3D Printing Material Guide for Every Application

Whether you are an engineer designing functional components or a hobbyist building your next creative project, material choice can make or break your 3D print. Strength, flexibility, heat resistance, and chemical durability all depend on the right pairing of material and technology. In this guide, we break down 3D printing materials into three main application categories: a. Functional Prototypes & Everyday Engineering Parts (FDM Polymers) b. High-Detail Models & Precision Components (SLA Resins) c. I......

SLA vs FDM 3D Printing: Which One’s Right for You?

If you're stepping into 3D printing, whether you're prototyping a product, customizing a part, or just geeking out on high-precision prints, you've probably come across the showdown: SLA vs FDM 3D printing. These two technologies dominate the desktop and industrial scenes, but they’re vastly different in how they work, what they produce, and when to use each. Whether you're a product developer needing fine detail or a manufacturer building quick functional parts, knowing the differences between SLA an......

How Material Jetting 3D Printing Tech Works & When to Use it

Material jetting is one of the most precise and visually detailed 3D printing methods available today. If you imagine how inkjet printers work, layering ink dot by dot, material jetting 3D printing works similarly, but with droplets of photopolymer resin or wax that are cured layer by layer using UV light. This method shines in applications where ultra-smooth surface finish, high accuracy, and color realism are critical. But it’s not for everyone, costs, material options, and durability limitations ke......

What Is PEEK Filament? High-Performance 3D Printing Explained

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is not your average 3D printing filament. It’s the powerhouse of engineering-grade thermoplastics, offering strength, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and durability that rivals even some metals. But can you really 3D print with PEEK? Absolutely, if you know what you're doing. In this guide, we’ll explore what PEEK filament is, the challenges of 3D printing PEEK, where it excels, and how to prepare for using it in advanced applications. What Is PEEK Filament? PEEK ......

Flexible 3D Printing Filament Types: TPU, TPE & Soft PLA Guide

You’re probably here because rigid PLA just won’t cut it. Maybe your print needs to flex, bounce back, stretch, or just not snap in half under pressure. Whether it’s a phone case, a gasket, a soft robot joint, or some weird wearable idea, you’re now in the world of flexible 3D printing filaments. But here’s the problem: Flexible filaments like TPU, TPE, or soft PLA aren’t all the same. Some are rubbery and forgiving, others are more like bendy plastic. Some will glide through your printer like a dream......

How Accurate is FDM 3D Printing for Prototyping?

When speed and affordability matter, FDM 3D printing often takes center stage in prototyping. But there's one question that comes up time and again, how accurate is FDM 3D printing really? If you're developing a functional prototype, testing fitment, or evaluating mechanical properties, understanding the accuracy of 3D printing, especially FDM, can be the difference between a reliable test piece and a misleading mockup. (souruce: Unsplash) What is FDM 3D Printing? FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is a ......

Exploring Green Construction Alternatives in Large-scale 3D Printing

Why Green Materials Matter in Construction The construction industry contributes approximately 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement production being one of the largest offenders. As the need for sustainable building practices intensifies, large-scale 3D printing offers a game-changing solution. This article explores how bio- and earth-based materials are becoming viable, eco-friendly alternatives to cement in additive manufacturing. Environmental Impact of Cement in 3D Printing Cement i......

How Dentistry Benefits from 3D Printing

Introduction to 3D Printing in Dentistry For more than 10 years, dentists, dental technicians, and assistants have utilized additive manufacturing such as SLA and Material Jetting to deliver customized dental appliances in a more accurate, cost-effective, and time-efficient manner. This includes 3D printing custom-made aligners, implants, and crowns, as well as surgical guides. 3D printing technologies offer endless possibilities for clinicians working in dentistry, with ongoing upgrades, high-quality......