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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

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......

WJP 3D Printing: Full-Colour Resin Models for Medical, Art & More

Potential of Full Colour Resins in WJP technology One of the most attractive results you can achieve with 3D printing comes from using WJP (White Jet Process) technology and full-colour resin materials. This high-resolution technology can be applied in various industries, including the medical and educational fields, for artistic purposes, and also as props in movies, for creating realistic rapid prototypes and miniatures. It utilizes photopolymer jetting to create objects with a smooth surface, witho......

3D Printing for Mold Making: Tips and Best Practices

Maybe, you're thinking of casting resin, silicone, wax, or even chocolate. Mold making is a foundational process in prototyping and small-batch production. But traditional mold making? It’s messy, time-consuming, and not exactly flexible. That’s where 3D printing mold making comes in. With the right materials, printer settings, and techniques, you can 3D print molds that are faster to produce, easier to customize, and surprisingly durable. This guide will tell you how to approach 3D printing molds the......

How to Calibrate Your 3D Printer for Dimensional Accuracy

When Dimensional Accuracy Really Matters When it comes to precision 3D printing, it’s not just about clean layers or smooth surfaces; dimensional accuracy is what separates prototypes from production-ready parts. If you're printing mechanical components, functional assemblies, or anything that needs to fit, align, or move, dimensional accuracy in 3D printing is non-negotiable. Think of it this way: a. A 3D printed gear with even a 0.3mm deviation might skip teeth or lock up entirely in a transmission.......

3D Print Lost Wax Casting: Filament, Process & Design Tips

Lost wax casting has stood the test of time, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern jewelry studios. But the game has changed. Today, 3D printing offers a fast, repeatable, and incredibly detailed way to produce wax-like patterns for casting. Whether you’re printing models for jewelry, engineering parts, or small-batch art pieces, pairing 3D printing with lost wax casting brings both precision and creative freedom. In this guide, we’ll break down the 3D print lost wax process, the types of casting wax fil......

Top 5 Heat-Resistant 3D Printing Filaments Compared

When Regular Filament Just Doesn’t Cut It You’ve 3D printed a functional bracket for a car engine bay. It fits perfectly, looks great, and then warps into a banana-shape after a week under the hood. That’s the danger of underestimating heat. If you're building automotive components, enclosures near motors, molds, or even kitchenware, using the wrong filament can lead to deformation, brittleness, or outright failure when exposed to heat. So, you already know the solution: Choosing the right heat-resist......

PLA vs PETG vs ASA: Best 3D Printing Filament for Outdoor Use

If you’ve ever watched a 3D printed garden hook sag in the sun or a cold snap crack your custom outdoor fixture, you already know: not all filaments are built for the elements. Choosing the best 3D printing filament for outdoor use isn’t just about surviving the occasional drizzle. It’s about UV exposure, temperature swings, moisture resistance, and long-term strength. And let’s be real, most people don't want to reprint every few months just because they picked the wrong plastic. In this guide, we’ll......

How to Make Watertight 3D Prints That Hold Water

3D printing has evolved from rapid prototyping to functional product manufacturing, but there's one common limitation users still face: leakage. If you're designing vases, fluid containers, hydraulic parts, or any other item that requires a watertight seal, creating watertight 3D prints is essential. But can 3D prints hold water reliably? Yes, if designed and finished correctly. This guide breaks down the science behind waterproofing 3D parts, why prints leak, and exactly how to make 3D prints waterti......

Best 3D Printing Filament Dry Boxes 2025 & DIY Tips

Is your filament betraying you? If your prints are stringy, brittle, or making weird popping noises mid-print, it might not be your slicer settings, it could be moisture. That’s where a 3D printer filament dry box saves the day.Whether you're printing PLA in a humid room or tackling Nylon and TPU, a dry box helps prevent moisture damage and ensures consistent, high-quality prints. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about filament dry boxes, including why they matter, how to make on......

How to Calibrate a 3D Printer for Better Layer Bonding

Achieving strong, seamless layer bonding in your 3D prints doesn’t just depend on the filament you use, it starts with calibration. Poorly calibrated printers often result in weak prints that split apart, delaminate, or warp. So if you’re aiming for professional results, this 3D printing calibration guide is your blueprint. In this article, we’ll walk through how to calibrate a 3D printer step-by-step, with a focus on enhancing layer adhesion. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional engineer, mast......

How to Reduce Stringing in 3D Printing: Causes, Fixes, and Pro Tips

Nothing kills the satisfaction of a good print like a mess of wispy plastic threads all over your model. If you’ve ever wondered why my 3D print has strings? You’re not alone. Stringing is one of the most common and frustrating issues in FDM 3D printing. But the good news? It’s also one of the most fixable. In this guide, we’ll break down what causes 3D print stringing, how to reduce stringing in 3D printing, and the settings and techniques that work. What Is Stringing in 3D Printing? Stringing, also ......

How to Remove a 3D Print from Bed: 9 Safe Fixes for Stuck Prints

(Source: geeetech) Nothing tests your patience like a 3D print that refuses to let go of the bed. Whether you're dealing with PLA fused to a glass plate or a warped print jammed into a corner, getting it off without damage can feel like defusing a bomb. And let’s be honest, grabbing a screwdriver and hoping for the best? Not the move. This blog gives you practical, safe, and engineer-approved methods to remove a stuck 3D print, no broken beds, no gouged fingers, no rage quits. From smart removal hacks......