3D Printing

Additive manufacturing (3D Printing) is widely used in industrial design. Its perfect for rapid, iterative development and testing.

3D printers come in a couple different shapes and sizes. The most common of which are FDM printers, they extrude thermoplastic fillaments precisley out of a nozzle, layer by layer. SLA printers cure thermosetting liquid resin using a laser, leading to more precise and intricate capabilities. SLS printers work similar to SLA but instead of resin its thermoplastic polymer powder.

(Guide, 2026)

I will be focusing on FDM printing materials as this is the most common and accsessible.

FDM Materials

• ABS

  • ABS is tough and durable

  • Produces toxic fumes and needs extraction

• PLA

  • Easy to print

  • Strong but brittle

  • Cheap

• PETG

  • Durable, tough filament

  • Can be food safe

• Nylon

  • Amazing weight to strength ratio

• TPU

  • Flexible and stretchable

• PVA

  • This filament dissolves in water, making for easy to remove support

Experimental

Stijn van Aardenne is a designer from the netherlands. "His growing intrest in technology and material experimentation led him to make his own machines" (Stijn van Aardenne, 2019). He likes to explore the relationship between digital fabrication, material behavour and machine modification.

(Stijn van Aardenne, 2019)

In the image above is a lamp which was printed on a FDM printer, where the Z axis can rotate. This combined with a large nozzle diameter produces smooth, wavy lines unlike a traditional 3D printer where layer lines are minimised.

This approach shows how 3D printing doesnt have to be just for prototyping. By working with constraints and machine characteristics rather than trying to eliminate them, designers can turn what was a rigid process to produce distinctive and expressive forms.

References

Guide (2026). Guide to 3D Printing Materials: Types, Applications, and Properties. [online] Formlabs. Available at: https://formlabs.com/uk/blog/3d-printing-materials/?srsltid=AfmBOoqe-OxSpoyDsVPfIY7SHf15FUaJUahul5_4XMpdJx0JduvdoJAj& [Accessed 13 Jan. 2026].

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Stijn van Aardenne (2019). Stijn van Aardenne. [online] Stijn van Aardenne. Available at: https://stijnvanaardenne.com/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2026].

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