{"id":165892,"date":"2022-10-24T10:29:44","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T02:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=165892"},"modified":"2022-11-22T16:31:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T08:31:15","slug":"the-best-polycarbonate-3d-printers-of-2022","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/the-best-polycarbonate-3d-printers-of-2022","title":{"rendered":"The Best Polycarbonate 3D Printers of 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The complete updated buyer\u2019s guide to the best Polycarbonate 3D printers, plus learn how to 3D print with PC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What Is It?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Parts made with PC filament from Airwolf3D and 3DMaker Engineering Pro Series Polycarbonate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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You may know polycarbonate (PC) as the headlight covers on your car or the safety glasses you use in your workshop. Polycarbonate is a reknown replacement for glass since it\u2019s clear, 250 times more impact resistant than glass, and can be drilled without any problem of cracking. It\u2019s tough, resistant to heat and chemicals, and ideal for 3D printing, provided you follow some guidelines.<\/p>\n

PC is one of the world\u2019s most popular plastics, and because it\u2019s highly recyclable, it\u2019s more popular than ever, used in engineering, consumer products, and manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Its transparent nature, coupled with its durability, makes it ideal for 3D printed prototypes when you really want to\u00a0see<\/em>\u00a0how parts fit together and for molds so you can inspect the quality. Naturally, it\u2019s the go-to material for 3D printed lighting fixtures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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PC isn\u2019t just clear, of course. It can take on colors and remain translucent or completely opaque. It\u2019s also mixed with other plastics to boost impact resistance. For example, PC-ABS, which comes in black and white, is used for products, such as drone bodies and replacement parts that need more strength than ABS alone. You\u2019ll also find PC with additives, including carbon fibers.<\/p>\n

To print successfully with PC you\u2019ll need a machine that can handle it. This means a 3D printer with a nozzle that reaches about 300 \u00baC, an enclosed chamber, and other features that boost your chances of a successful print.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at this fascinating material and the best printers for PC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3D printed PC lamps by Signify called 3D Printed Luminaires (Source: Signify)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Due to its transparency, PC can be used to prototype windows and other clear products that would cost much more if produced with other materials. High heat resistance means it can also be used to create functional prototypes where even ABS would warp under heat or stress.<\/p>\n

One beautiful example is the Signify lamp series called\u00a03D Printed Luminaires<\/a>, which are manufactured on demand using a 100% recyclable polycarbonate material. This allows Luminaires to be tailored to a customer\u2019s exact needs and recycled at the end of their life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3D Printing with PC<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Lamp by Signify produced PC filament by Covestro. (Source: Covestro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Although you\u2019ll find clear filament,\u00a0polycarbonate (PC) filament<\/a>\u00a0printing\u00a0differs from PLA and other filaments<\/a>\u00a0in several ways. This affects not only the properties of prints, but what you must do to achieve success.<\/p>\n

PC is more durable and flexible than PLA but less so than nylon. It\u2019s harder than ABS, PLA, or PMMA, while also being lighter and less dense than ABS. Its ability to withstand torsional stress is superior to other thermoplastics, and it\u2019s flexible enough to be machine bendable at room temperature.<\/p>\n

PC is:<\/strong><\/p>\n