All About 3D Printing in Color

3D printing in color is critical to manufacturing superior prototypes and parts. We’ve talked before about how the right finish on a 3D-printed object can swiftly and easily elevate a product from a prototype to a polished, functional, and aesthetically pleasing piece. Well, the same goes for color.

Color holds profound power. For millennia, humans have used color to convey messages, evoke emotion, and to make the world, well, more fun.

It can play a crucial role in the emotional and psychological well-being of someone using a 3D-printed prosthetic. It can play a vital role in the design process and influence industries ranging from healthcare to consumer products. It can serve simply for aesthetic purposes or even extend beyond that.

From cultural symbolism to personal interpretations, color plays a crucial role in enhancing personalization, emotional connections, and functionality.

The Impact of Color

Benefits to Prosthetics

Prosthetic limbs, beyond their functional role, serve as an extension of an individual’s body. Giving those with limb differences the opportunity to choose the color of their prostheses can signify empowerment, offering them control over their appearance and how they present themselves to the world.

The ability to match a 3D-printed prosthetic limb to their skin tone or the option to choose vibrant, expressive colors provides a boost in confidence and self-esteem and can, in turn, significantly influence their mental health and social interactions. Approximately 36% of people with limb loss struggle with depression, so being able to fully customize prostheses provides a sense of pride and enables wearers to feel more comfortable and accepted in their skin.

After all, how bland would the world look without individuality?

Taking it a step further beyond the psychological impact, color customization can serve practical purposes, too. By incorporating specific colors or patterns, it can help highlight different parts of the prosthetic, making it easier for wearers, healthcare providers, and caregivers to understand its functionality, care, and maintenance.

Product Design and Functionality

When creating any piece of art, whether it’s clothing, painting, photography, or prototyping, selecting the right color can make a world of difference.
Color customization in 3D printing allows for rapid prototyping and product development, ultimately streamlining the design process. The ability to produce objects in a myriad of colors can aid in market testing, allowing designers to observe consumer preferences and manufacturing capabilities before the overhaul of a full-scale production. This can greatly help in minimizing the risk of producing items that might not resonate with the intended audience and provide insight into which products require more manufacturing capabilities, both having the ability to affect their marketability.

Even extending to functional applications, color-coding parts for easy assembly or maintenance is not just practical; it can further simplify the usability and maintenance of potentially complex machinery and equipment, making them even more accessible and user-friendly. This can be true in the construction and architecture industries, as well as in education.

Students across all ages can become more engaged and inspired by colorful and visually appealing models. Whether it’s complex scientific concepts, such as those taught in the medical field, or historical artifacts, the ability to print objects in vibrant, lifelike colors enhances the learning experience, making it more immersive, interactive, and educational.
ABCorp Color Capabilities

At ABCorp, our 3D printing services include full CMYK coloring. Our unique color creation capabilities provide our clients with products and prototypes that are durable, high quality, and fully customizable. Our color services are available in spot color, single color, and full spectrum.

Spot Color

Spot color is a coloring method for more intricate and detailed color applications. Unlike full-spectrum color 3D printing, which encompasses the entire object and multiple color variations, spot color focuses on only selective areas and uses a singular color. This level of precision and control in color application is quite invaluable, especially in industries such as healthcare for prosthetics or medical models, or construction and architecture for prototypes and building models, which may require specific color highlights or indicators for different functionalities.

Single Color

Single color is exactly as it sounds — we provide the option for one singular color to encompass your entire product!

Products in a singular color provide a sense of uniformity, whether it’s necessary for aesthetic or functional purposes. Take for instance the aerospace and automotive industries: some products require consistent material properties, light reflection reducing characteristics, or need to meet specific safety standards that producing in a singular color can provide.

Using one color throughout the entire product can also further simplify the printing process and greatly reduce production costs. This can be particularly relevant in mass production scenarios or when trying to streamline manufacturing processes.

Full Spectrum Color

Printing in full color allows creators to design a product using the full CMYK color spectrum. For artists and designers, utilizing full color to create vibrant and intricate designs allows them to express creativity and evoke emotional responses, whether it be for art installations, sculptures, or other artistic works, like miniatures.

Bringing it back around to prosthetics, the full color spectrum capability allows for wearers to perfectly replicate natural skin tones, providing them with the means to reclaim their identity and confidence.

While printing in full spectrum color can bring endless opportunities for design, it can sometimes be more complex, requiring specialized printing equipment and a more intricate printing process.

Thankfully, we at ABCorp are equipped to handle that.

Conclusion

Essentially, the importance of color customization in 3D printing cannot be overstated. It goes beyond the mere surface appeal and significantly impacts various industries, from healthcare to education, and manufacturing to design. It’s not just about making things look good; it’s about enhancing the functionality, personalization, and emotional connectedness of the printed products. As technology continues to evolve, so too does ABCorp’s ability to utilize color in 3D printing, opening up a world of new possibilities and redefining the way we design, create, and perceive the world around us.

Whether it’s a life-changing prosthetic, a physical version of an online MMORPG character, a prototype, or miniature, ABCorp’s 3D printing capabilities will be able to provide you with a product that matches your creative vision.

All About 3D Printing Finishes

When it comes to successful 3D printed parts and prototypes, it all comes down to 3D printing finishes.

When it comes to 3D printing, the technology itself is undeniably impressive. It allows us to transform digital designs into tangible objects with the highest levels of precision.

At ABCorp 3D, we provide the latest generation of HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing technology to create simple prototypes and complex multi-color 3D objects while continuing to serve a multitude of industries. Whether it’s aerospace, automotive, or prosthetics, no other company has more experience than ABCorp 3D.

In addition to utilizing cutting-edge MJF technology, ABCorp 3D has the core understanding that a product is not complete without proper finishing. A quality finish on a newly printed 3D product can provide it with the following:

  • Enhanced durability, malleability, and load characteristics;
  • Functional improvements, such as those to reduce friction, improve grip, be resistant against water, heat, corrosion, etc.;
  • Customization to fit a specific aesthetic, cosmetic quality, or brand; and 
  • Antimicrobial properties to seal the parts against bacteria, and more.

Whether it’s for aesthetic, durability, or hygienic purposes, the right finish can elevate a product from a prototype to a polished, functional, and aesthetically pleasing piece. At ABCorp 3D, we offer a range of finishes that allow our current and prospective clients the opportunity to get more out of their 3D printed product.

Our Selection of Finishes

All of our 3D printing finishes come in standard PA12, TPU, and PA12CB materials.

Standard MJF Finish

ABCorp 3D offers a Standard MJF Finish in a classic HP grey. While the color may be “standard,” it makes an ideal choice for any internal and non-cosmetic parts where aesthetics and color schemes are not a priority.

What’s not-so-standard about this finishing agent is that the powder used in MJF products is significantly more recyclable than other materials. With up to 80% of the powder often being reused, it means that any non-fused powder can be recycled. Not only does this ultimately lower production costs, but when coupled with its accelerated build speed, the Standard MJF finish is cost-effective and great for fast turnarounds, significantly reducing production lead times and, at least in the medical field, allowing for a quicker response to patient needs.

Dyed Black

The color black, whether it be in the form of an empowering pantsuit, a brand new sports car, or cutting-edge 3D printed devices, often lends an air of sophistication, elegance, and sleekness to whatever the medium may be. Our dyed black finish gives our products a more polished and reformed look and provides the products with a much smoother surface than undyed finishes. Regardless of whether or not the point is to impress, black dye is crisp, it’s sharp, it’s classic!

AMT Smoothed

AMT vapor smoothing is a finishing process that applies a chemical vapor finish to a 3D printed product’s surface. The vapor smoothes over any bumps or ridges from the printing process and greatly reduces the surface’s porosity while also lowering its chances of cracking, providing a smoother, more consistent surface as opposed to unfinished products. 

Additionally, the AMT vapor smoothing finish is antimicrobial, meaning it kills microorganisms and stops their growth — a great feature when designing medical equipment and prostheses. The vapor completely seals its parts to prevent water absorption, bacteria buildup, and makes it easier to clean. Combined with other additional surface treatments, AMT vapor smoothing finish can be dyed with sharp and vibrant colors, providing the opportunity for a fun aesthetic and distinct look.

AMT Smoothed with Black Dye

AMT vapor smoothing finish with black dye has all of the same properties as the standard AMT finish: improved surface quality, water and airtight surface, and is antimicrobial. The only difference? This finish is combined with black dye, offering creators a sleeker, sharper, and more polished look to their products.

Conclusion

The importance of having a quality finish on a 3D printed product cannot be overstated. Whether it’s a first-draft prototype, a thoroughly developed functional part, or a life-changing prosthetic, a well-chosen finish enhances the appearance, durability, and functionality of the printed product. 

It really does come down to that final step of elevating your 3D printed object from a mere concept to a tangible masterpiece, ready to fulfill its intention to be reliable yet stylish.

All About BASF Ultrasint TPU01

I recently had the opportunity to hear how Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing made a dramatic difference in someone’s life. Through a combination of digital scanning, CAD work, and 3D Printing, this client was able to get the “perfect fit” with his lower limb prosthetic — something he’s wanted for 20 years 

It reminded me of the sensitive side of manufacturing and how 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing can be an asset to traditional manufacturing. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Additive Manufacturing continues to grow and touch on markets segments that are new and labor intensive that can benefit from the digital component of 3D Printing. As printing processes and materials develop, we will see more life changing benefits outside the traditional manufacturing space.  

Ultrasint TPU01

When we look at HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) process, we see a variety of materials for different applications. And the material that gave this client that “perfect fit” was BASF Ultrasint TPU01 

What is BASF Ultrasint TPU01? 

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a very elastic and flexible material. It is durable, strong, and smooth to the touch, and it has high wear resistance, withstanding environments of oils, grease, and solvents. Additionally, TPU has superior resistance to high and low temperatures, making this material a great substitute for hard rubber parts. 

Current markets that can benefit from the BASF TPU material are as follows: 

  • Sports 
  • Automotive 
  • Footwear 
  • Electronic cases  
  • Industrial tools/fixtures 
  • Orthotic & Prosthetic (O&P) and other medical applications 

Each of these markets require unique material requirements and finishes. The Ultrasint TPU01 along with post processing applications can give the customer a part that is quicker to market with similar characteristics to a traditionally manufactured part. 

Post Processing of TPU01 

Several post-processing applications are available for the BASF TPU Ultrasint material. ABCorp 3D currently provides dyeing and vapor smoothing. When MJF printed, TPU01  will be grey in color; dyeing the part gives the printed part a black uniform color that has penetrated the part surface.  

When Vapor Smoothing is added as a surface treatment, a part that has been printed with the MJF process will change from grey to black and parts that have been dyed will have a part finish with an average surface roughness (Ra) of around 1.18. This effectively seals the part, adding to the surface properties of moisture and airtightness along with improving bacteria protection. 

Another popular post process is ceramic coatings: Cerakote and Durakote. Both have solutions for 3D Printed parts. 

Latticing with Ultrasint TPU01 

The lattice structure is found in nature and mimicked within the structural foam industry. Incorporating lattice design into the HP MJF printing process gives parts an additional level of performance properties. Parts can be printed with different lattice structures incorporated into specific areas of the part, and the result is added flexibility in those areas with what could be called a “customized durometer” applying to different areas of the part. 

Latticing of MJF Printed TPU parts has opened up areas in the sports, O&P, and automotive industries. 

A recent article in AM Magazine discussed how latticing along with TPU material can be used to better fit a sports helmet to the wearer’s head. The article goes on to note, “Meanwhile, padding made via 3D printing in this way can also be customized to the wearer by designing from a scan of the head. We experienced this with digital-material helmet padding that was made from our personal scan data.” 

In the O&P field we are seeing parts that have custom lattice structures that specifically tailor to different parts of the prosthetic, giving a better fit and happier client. Just ask the guy that finally found the best prosthetic fit after 20 years!  

“He was very excited about it. Happy to see we finally got him fit going totally plasterless — he has been working to that goal for the last 20 years”. 

Who we are, what we do, and how to connect for more information. 

ABCorp has been a secure contract manufacture since 1795, creating the first anti-counterfeit currency for the United States. As markets change, we now create and manufacture a good portion of the world’s plastic Credit Cards, Passports and Gift cards. When COVID hit, our punch presses transitioned to face masks and we ventured into Additive Manufacturing to help address the tightening supply chain concerns.  

In a sort time ABCorp 3D Inc. has grown to house multiple HP MJF 580 and 5210 series printers in our secure Boston facility. Our current material offerings are Nylon PA-11, PA-12, Polypropylene and flexible TPU. The HP 580 creates colors parts in Nylon PA-12CB material. 

If you’re in a position to review your parts for a digital inventory or would like us to print a few parts, please reach out to us. A CAD file with an .stl or 3MF file along with design specifications is enough to start the conversation.  

And of course, samples are available upon request. 

Vic Little
Business Development
ABCorp-3D