In the exciting world of 3D printing, the allure of creating objects from scratch, layer by layer, is undeniable. We often imagine printing entire gadgets and tools in one go, fueled by the versatility of materials like plastic. However, while the dream of 100% 3D-printed creations is captivating, focusing solely on printed parts can sometimes limit the functionality, strength, and lifespan of our 3d Printed Projects. Just like a chef uses a variety of ingredients to create a masterpiece, successful 3D printed projects often benefit from incorporating non-printed components, affectionately known in the RepRap community as “vitamins.”
Think about the everyday objects around you. How many are made from a single material? Spoons, plates, and simple containers might come to mind, but complex items like appliances, electronics, or even furniture rely on a combination of materials to function effectively. Plastic, while versatile, has its limitations. Expecting a 3D printed plastic component to perform under stresses it wasn’t designed for can lead to disappointment. Consider a 3D printed plastic bolt; while printable, its strength, especially when printed vertically, is significantly less than a traditional metal bolt. Applying tension will likely cause it to delaminate, rendering it useless and wasting both time and material.
Instead of striving for purely 3D-printed solutions in every scenario, a more practical and robust approach for your 3D printed projects is to strategically integrate traditionally manufactured fasteners and mechanisms. This is where “vitamins” come in. By combining the unique shapes and customizability of 3D printed parts with the reliability and strength of off-the-shelf components, we can create 3D printed projects that are not only innovative but also durable, functional, and possess a professional finish. Embracing this hybrid approach elevates your 3D printed projects from novelty items to genuinely useful and long-lasting creations.
Assembling a “vitamin kit” is surprisingly affordable and opens up a world of possibilities for your 3D printed projects. Below is a breakdown of essential components that can significantly enhance your builds.
Building Your Essential “Vitamin Kit” for 3D Printed Projects
While some components are best 3D printed for customization, others are readily available and far superior when sourced as manufactured parts. Let’s explore the essential elements of a well-rounded vitamin kit.
1. When to 3D Print: Practical Printed Parts
Despite the focus on non-printed parts, 3D printing still plays a crucial role in creating custom elements that complement your vitamin kit.
- Washers: Need a specific size or shape? Printing washers on demand is quick and efficient, allowing for precise adjustments in your 3D printed projects.
- Registration Pins: For accurate alignment of printed parts, custom-designed registration pins are invaluable. Orient them horizontally during printing for maximum strength, as advised by Make: for press-fit applications.
- Pivot and Hinge Pins: Simple pins for hinges or pivots can be effectively made from lengths of raw filament. This technique, highlighted by Make:, provides a cost-effective and readily available solution. (Author’s note: Bamboo skewers are now preferred for even greater strength and consistency).
2. Keystone Vitamin Kits: Fasteners and Fixings
Investing in assorted fastener kits is a game-changer for robust 3D printed projects. These kits provide a variety of screws, nuts, and standoffs, ensuring you have the right component for any assembly.
Steel M3 Socket Head Screws: A staple for any vitamin kit. M3 size is versatile – suitable for printers and various projects. The socket head design allows tightening with a hex key or by hand. A kit with assorted lengths, like this example from AliExpress, offers great value and convenience.
Steel M3 Grub Screws: These headless screws, also known as set screws, are perfect for securing components to shafts, like stepper motors in 3D printers. Their ability to be sunk below the surface provides a clean and functional finish. Find affordable kits on platforms like AliExpress.
Nylon M3 Standoffs, Screws, and Nuts: Nylon fasteners are excellent insulators for electronics mounting and provide vibration resistance for lighter assemblies. Nylon standoffs act as perfect spacers in multi-part 3D printed projects. Kits like this one from AliExpress are a cost-effective addition to your vitamin collection.
Steel Springs: Plastic 3D printed springs pale in comparison to metal springs in terms of elasticity and durability. An assortment of steel springs, available at great prices on AliExpress, ensures you have the right spring for mechanisms in your 3D printed projects.
3. Nuts and Inserts: Secure and Reusable Fastening
Nuts and threaded inserts are crucial for creating robust and reusable connections in your 3D printed projects.
Steel M3 Hex Nuts: Essential for use with screws, providing a secure and durable fastening point. Bulk purchases, like this 100-piece set from AliExpress, are incredibly affordable.
Steel M3 Wing Nuts: For applications requiring frequent hand tightening and loosening, wing nuts are ideal. While slightly more expensive, like these from AliExpress, they add convenience to adjustable elements in your 3D printed projects.
Steel M3 2020 Nuts (T-Nuts): Designed for 2020 aluminum extrusion profiles, these T-nuts are also excellent as captive nuts in 3D prints. Embedding them into designed hollows creates strong and concealed fastening points. Find them in bulk on AliExpress.
Brass M3 Knurled Inserts: Threaded inserts elevate the quality and usability of enclosures and any 3D printed part requiring repeated screw fastening. The knurled exterior ensures a secure hold within a printed hole, creating a durable, reusable threaded point. These inserts, like this set from AliExpress, significantly improve the professional feel of your 3D printed projects. For optimal strength, design prints with a retaining collar to brace the insert against screw pull-out.
4. Optional but Useful Vitamins: Expanding Functionality
Beyond the essentials, these optional vitamins can add polish and advanced functionality to your 3D printed projects.
Self-Adhesive Rubber Feet: Add a professional touch and non-slip base to enclosures while concealing screw holes with these rubber feet from AliExpress.
Steel M3 All-Thread Rod: Create custom length fasteners for unique requirements in your 3D printed projects using all-thread rod, available on AliExpress.
Small Ball Bearings: For smooth motion in your 3D printed mechanisms, small ball bearings are incredibly versatile and affordable, like these from AliExpress. Consider upgrading to higher quality bearings for precision applications later.
Bamboo Skewers: Surprisingly strong, dimensionally consistent, and easy to trim, bamboo skewers are incredibly useful as pins, posts, and hinge elements in 3D printed projects. A bulk pack, like this one from AliExpress, is a worthwhile investment.
Neodymium Magnets (Rare Earth Magnets): Magnets offer versatile closure and attachment solutions. Standardizing on disc magnets of various sizes – small (3x1mm), regular (6x2mm), and strong (8x5mm) – provides flexibility for different 3D printed projects, from small tool holders to larger jigs. While quality varies on platforms like AliExpress, they are excellent for prototyping. For critical applications, consider sourcing higher quality magnets. Design prints with pinholes or through-holes for easy magnet removal.
Elevate Your 3D Printing with Vitamins
By thoughtfully incorporating “vitamins” into your 3D printed projects, you move beyond the limitations of single-material prints. You gain access to enhanced durability, improved functionality, and a more professional aesthetic. Building a vitamin kit is a small investment that yields significant returns, transforming your 3D printed projects into truly remarkable creations. Embrace the power of combining 3D printed innovation with the reliability of standard components and unlock the full potential of your 3D printing endeavors.
