For a lot of us, the argument contained in the topic may be controversial - after all, how can something that produces "plastic" be eco friendly and be an element that can save the world? Well, let’s face with this! I will try to prove it in this publication.

According to the Sculpteo 2020 report (The State of 3D printing) published in June, over 60% of companies using 3D printing record a significant reduction in production costs using a 3D printer. It is indicated that in the coming years, 3D printing will play a significant role in production and business, creating a competitive advantage.

It's been a long time since Frank Pearne and Charles L. Krum started working on a printing telegraph called a teletype. Since that invention, technology has taken a significant step forward, making electric cars, super fast computers or space travel a reality. Additive technology, known to us perfectly well as 3D printing, has been developing for about two decades, but its role in the ongoing technological revolution is significant.

Implementation of 3D printing technology is an opportunity to significantly increase the company's innovation, competitiveness and maintain its market position. After choosing the right 3D printer, the practical aspect remains - what is the process of implementing a 3D printer in the company?

The use of supports is an inseparable part of working in 3D printing. In places where the overhang angle of the printing walls exceeds the boundary angle, the program used to prepare the printout will insert additional structures that will serve as support for the printed element. Depending on whether your printer is equipped with one or two printheads, the supports are made of the same material as the model or from a different filament, such as PVA or HIPS.

The quality of a 3D printout is the most important parameter that often determines the use of 3D printing technology to produce a planned component. How to increase the quality of prints in FFF technology? Certainly, we need to pay attention to two key elements: the 3D printer on which we are working and the quality of the filament that we want to use for the project.

In recent months, manufacturing companies have been forced to transform at an unprecedented pace. Their goal was not only to find ways to innovate, but above all to optimize energy-intensive processes. The concept of Lean Manufacturing, often associated with 3D printing technology, has gained in popularity.

In the FDM / FFF technology there is a belief that anyone who can print anything more than PLA, can be treated as a solution for the engineer and industry. What is professional, industrial 3D printing? Where is the line that mark a border between the printers for amateurs, semi-professional and the industry printers for engineers and production? Why, despite many years of existence of 3D printing, the knowledge related to it, is not common? I will try to define the line between, explain the aspects, both technological and usable that is associated with professional 3D printing. That needs to be done, to know what it is, what it gives and makes it different from desktop and semi-professional devices.