Printing miniatures is a great idea to create different models, decorative items, and even create parts needed to put current technology into operation (for example, we can talk about small parts of electronics and appliances).
If printing large, complex items seems like a difficult activity, things are even more complicated when it comes to miniatures. The accuracy required is much higher, and miniatures can be the details that are the basis for a larger object or process.
To better understand how the whole process works, imagine for example that you have to create a clock mechanism. Well, every circuit and every thread must be made carefully in miniature. Mistakes can be crucial, because in most cases this can mean having to create the miniatures from scratch.
How to print 3D miniatures ?
The most popular technologies for miniatures printing are those with filaments, respectively those with resin. They use as basic materials a heat-sensitive plastic that once transformed into 3D print has a rigid and stable structure, respectively photosensitive resins.
Of course, their use depends on several parameters, such as the complexity of the thumbnail, their quantity, the number of details. The filament print is known for its high difficulty and longer processing times, but it is an excellent choice for a low budget and exceptional results.
The differences between the two technologies are especially noticeable in the final result where the resin print is more detailed and with impeccable finishes, but in terms of durability, specialists attest that 3D printing with filaments is the clear winner.
In addition to all these aspects, it must be taken into consideration that there is no wrong answer regarding the choice of technology, and following the particularities of the process you want to carry out, you will be able to determine which is the most suitable for your project.
Important aspects when printing 3D miniatures
The specificities of the 3D print mentioned earlier are definitely the most important aspects when it comes to creating miniatures. For example, when it comes to filament printing, you need to make sure that the height of the layers is low, which indicates the working accuracy that can give rise to details up to 100 microns.
Of course, depending on this aspect, the size of the nozzle will be established, which is set in direct proportion to the complexity of the miniature, the temperature in relation to the materials used.
Professionalism and work experience should help you establish the ability to withdraw, the ability to create a solid support for the miniature and the integrated arrangement of a cooler that ensures the completion of a quality print.
As for the resins, among the essential features are:
- The right choice of the time of exposure to UV rays in relation to the model and the working material, for the finishing of the 3D model;
- Choosing a suitable lifting speed for the platform, in order to prevent possible deformations;
- Finishing and leveling the printed model;
- Determining the degree of orientation, which determines the accuracy with which the 3D print will be executed.
Of course, these are just a few macro features that can be modified and divided into several segments of interest depending on the equipment that is chosen, how complex they are in terms of working mechanism, and depending on the type or requirements for specific miniatures.
Certainly, the more professional and better you want the result to be, the more you will have to focus on the right technologies, the goal being to make your job easier and get the results you want with the lowest consumption of financial resources.