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3D Printing with Nylon

3D printing with Nylon, also known as Polyamide (PA). This is a semi-crystalline polymer plastic and due to its high mechanical properties, strong chemical, and heat resistance, it is considered as an engineering plastic. 3D printing with these kinds of technical plastics is useful for the manufacturing of fully functional parts. As a general rule, the higher the polymer thermoplastics properties, the higher the process temperatures. This means that the printers that can work with Nylon must be professional printers in which the extrusion heads can reach high temperatures. It is common to print Nylon that is loaded with fibreglass or carbon fibre to enhance its properties and processing.

3D Nylon production process

3D printing with Nylon is a lot more complex than with ABS or PLA. In this case, the base is heated to 110 °C, and the extruder temperature is around 280 °C, meaning that it is recommended to use printers with water-cooled extruders.

Technical specifications of Nylon

Types

Nylon + 30% fibreglass
Nylon + 15% fibre carbon

Features

Tensile strength: 102 MPa 01.
Tensile modulus: 7.4 GPa 02.
Flexural modulus: 6.1 GPa 03.
Softening temperature: 124°C. 04.

Benefits

Compared with other more common 3D printing materials, such as ABS, 3D printing with Nylon offers three times more of mechanical performance. Nylon filament with 15% carbon fibre is an especially resistant material, durable, and ideal for those parts that need to support a lot of mechanical force. Its high wear resistance means that 3D printing with Nylon is the ideal option for the manufacturing of on demand industrial spares.

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Bespoke 3D printing of parts with Nylon

The Nylon used in 3D printers is usually loaded with 30% fibreglass. These fibres facilitate the printing process, enhancing the bonds between the layers of the part, reducing thermal deformations of the item, and minimalizing the tendency that the polyamide has to absorb humidity from its surroundings.

Step by step process

3D File

– Send us your 3D file ready to print.
– If you do not have the file, send us the item and we will create the CAD file.
– If you need a design from zero, our designers will gladly prepare a quote for you.

3D Printing

– We will create the process file adapted to the technology and materials that will be used to produce your item.
– We prepare and condition the printer to guarantee optimum quality.

Cleaning and post processing

This step is key when meeting your requirements, and it is one that we are highly specialised in.
The removal of the printing support structures, heat treatments, and surface finishes (blasting, polishing, tooling) are some of the most common post processes.

DISCOVER THE TECHNOLOGY USED IN THE PROCESS

FDM 3D printing technology

Uses of printing with Nylon

3D printing with Nylon is perfect for geometrically complex items that require a high level of mechanical, heat, and chemical resistance. Its high abrasion resistance means that this material is found in lots of mechanical workshops.

Uses

Gears

Functional models

Industrial tools

Casings

Pneumatic system connectors

Printing machinery

With Nylon

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3NTR A2

3NTR is one of the leading professional plastic printer manufacturers. Its large AS model has a liquid cooled extruder that allows engineered plastics to be printed.

WORK VOLUME

Large items can be printed up to 600x325x500 mm.

MULTI-MATERIAL

One of the best qualities of the 3NTR-A2 is that almost any FDM developed filament can be used.