Articles By Nick Allen
Author Bio
Nick Allen set up the 3DPRINTUK in early 2011, just before the big 3D printing boom. He’s a trained product designer who founded the company to bring a friendly and trustworthy face to the UK 3D printing industry, and is quite a skeptic of his own field and will not sell you something if he thinks you can get it done better elsewhere! Having worked with the machinery day in and day out, Nick has developed an unparalleled knowledge of his machines and his industry!
Advanced 3D Printed Part Finishing & Painting
Get an overview of the workflow behind the crucial 3D printed part finishing work needed for SLS Nylon prints
Making Structures Solid A 3D Printing from Sketchup Tutorial by Paul Childerhouse
A Sketchup tutorial on making structures solid so they can be 3D printed.
Spruing Tutorial
Sprues are a way to get around minimum part cost – a sprue is just a small rod that connects the parts together. Learn how to create sprues with this Spruing Tutorial.
The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing Nesting
3D Printing Nesting is unique to us as a way for you to save money on your 3D printing service jobs.
Interrogating Quality Issues in Polymer 3D Printing
Quality control (QC) and dealing with quality issues is paramount in Polymer 3D Printing, particularly when it serves as a production technology.
Post Processing in 3D Printing (Part 3): Customised Services we do Not Offer at 3DPRINTUK
In the final article in this series on post processing in 3D printing, I just want to take the time to round up with some post processing options that are available for 3D printed parts that we do NOT offer here at 3DPRINTUK
Post Processing in 3D Printing (Part 2) — Automated Post Processing Solutions
Post processing is a very important part of our service, and as we currently produce more than 1 million parts a year, we have had to source the best available automated post processing solutions to meet our needs and the ability to deliver for our clients.
3DPRINTUK Supports Design and Make Challenge 2022
3DPRINTUK was delighted to be involved with the recent Design and Make Challenge 2022. Learn mor about the challenge and how we participated.
Post Processing in 3D Printing (Part 1) — The Key to Viable Production Outcomes
Learn about the many benefits associated with the use of industrial 3D printing post processing as a production technology.
Optimising Outcomes with 3D Printing – Design for Additive Manufacturing (Part 3)
It is important to design for additive manufacturing to maximize its potential as a production method and reduce the cost and time it takes to 3D print your part.
Optimising Outcomes with 3D Printing – Design for Additive Manufacturing (Part 2)
In part 2 of our Design for Additive Manufacturing series, we will look at how 3D printing has evolved to the point where it can be considered as a serial production technology
Optimising Outcomes with 3D Printing – Design for Additive Manufacturing (Part 1)
In this 3-part series of articles, we will be considering the important issue of Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM).
Converting to STL Format for 3D Printing
Explore our comprehensive list of top 3D modelling programs and learn everything you need to know about converting to STL format for 3D printing
Guide to 3D Printing Nesting by Gareth Jones from Chase Cars
Using the technique of 3D Printing Nesting means you can cram as much as possible into the tiniest space, this will save money with your build
STL Files Basic Rules for 3D Printing
3D printing may seem limitless, but there are a few things that it, or the materials that it uses, can’t do. Here is a quick STL file guide of how to avoid a few no-no’s when designing your model.
Converting to millimeters (mm)
3D printers require STL files to print from. The main issue is that all CAD packages are different, some use mm, cm, inches or meters. Converting to millimeters will help with consistency and accuracy of 3D prints.