JLC Other Services: JLCPCB - PCB/PCBA

JLCCNC - CNC Machining

JLCMC - Mechatronic Parts

Help

Blog - JLC3DP

Search

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 Replace a 3D Printer Nozzle Safely & Easily

A clean, healthy nozzle is the heart of every good 3D print. But over time, even the best ones wear down, a little abrasion here, a bit of filament buildup there, and suddenly your printer’s perfect flow starts acting up. That’s when 3D printer nozzle replacement steps in as your best fix. (source: Reddit) A worn or damaged nozzle can cause all kinds of chaos: inconsistent extrusion, clogging, stringy prints, and rough or uneven layers. You might even notice the print surface looking a bit dull, or ra......

3D Printer Cold Pull Guide: Clean Nozzles in Minutes

Few things kill your print quality faster than a clogged nozzle. One minute your layers are smooth and perfect, and the next, you’re staring at a half-finished mess of under-extrusion and spaghetti filament. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to disassemble your hotend or spend hours troubleshooting. The fix is simple. A cold pull. (source：Reddit) If you’ve ever wondered what a cold pull is in 3D printing, it’s basically the simplest, most effective way to clear out debris, burnt filament, and m......

How to 3D Print Temperature Tower for Temp Test

(Reddit) (A 3D print temperature test tower with engraved °C values designed to dial in extrusion temperatures for a specific filament) A few degrees can be the difference between a flawless part and a wasted spool of filament. Too hot, and you’ll see drooping edges, stringing, or detail loss. Too cold, and layers won’t bond properly, leaving brittle parts that can crack under stress. That’s why dialing in the right print temperature isn’t guesswork, it’s a controlled process. The most common method i......

What is Binder Jetting? Process, Benefits, and Applications

Binder jetting (BJ) is a versatile additive manufacturing technology that is used to print polymer, metal, ceramic and sand parts. The Binder jetting 3d printing technology uses powdered materials upon which the print head selectively deposits a liquid binding agent (binder) to fuse adjacent powdered particles together to form a bond. It can be understood better by considering it a mix of powder bed fusion and material jetting technologies in a way that it uses powdered material and also uses a binder......

Does 3D Printer Filament Go Bad? Shelf Life Explained

If you’ve been 3D printing for more than a few months, you’ve probably got a little “filament graveyard” in your workspace. Half-used spools, bargain-bin rolls you bought on sale, maybe even that neon green PLA you swore you’d use for something. But, how long can that stuff actually sit before it goes bad? Some filaments are surprisingly tough. PETG, for instance, will fight humidity longer than you think. PLA, on the other hand? Leave it out for a year in a humid room and you’ll have brittle spaghett......

Binder Jet 3D Printing: Complete Technology Guide

What is Binder Jetting 3D Printing? Understanding the Basics Binder jetting is often compared to inkjet printing, but on steroids. Instead of spraying ink on paper, the machine lays down a liquid binder onto a thin layer of powder. Each sweep of the print head sticks particles together, one layer at a time, until you’ve got what’s called a “green part.” Once it’s out of the machine, the loose powder is blown or brushed away, and the part usually needs curing and then sintering or infiltration to get i......

What is Material Jetting 3D Printing | The Complete Guide

So, what exactly is material jetting additive manufacturing? It’s like those office inkjets, only this one’s built for serious work. Instead of laying down ink on paper, it shoots out tiny drops of liquid photopolymer onto a flat platform. A quick flash of UV light locks each pass in place. Layer after layer, the shape takes form until you’re holding a finished part. What makes it shine are the little things, sharp edges, clean surfaces, and the ability to blend materials in a single build. Material J......

3D Printer Fire Safety: Risks and How to Protect Your Prints

Till this day, users on Reddit share how their 3D printer caught fire when left unattended. Luckily, some showed up in time. But not everyone is that lucky. In fact, according to fire safety reports, 3D printers are responsible for dozens of documented home fires every year. Even if the chances are 1 in 1,000. That raises the question: how real is the risk of a 3D printer fire, and how much is myth? In this blog, we’ll cut through the noise with: a. 3D printer fire myths vs reality b. Clear fire preve......

Binder Jetting vs Material Jetting Key Differences

Jetting Technology in Additive Manufacturing Jetting has become one of the buzziest approaches in additive manufacturing, but the word itself causes headaches. Binder Jetting technology, Material Jetting, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), even Metal Jet, they all sound like they’re versions of the same idea. They’re not. Each one works differently and serves very different needs. The roots of jetting-based 3D printing trace back to plain old inkjet printers. Engineers noticed: if you can shoot microscopic drops......

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......