Wondering how to glue 3D prints? We’ve got answers. Learn what materials are used in these printers, the best adhesive for them, and how to glue parts together.
3D printers are an exciting way to create things like toys, household items and spare parts. Although they’re commonly used at home, this innovative way of creating items has been adopted by a variety of industries like aviation, medical, construction and mechanical engineering.
Multiple types of material can be used in a 3D printer. While some of these are only found in industrial settings, it’s still important to understand what you’re working with before choosing an adhesive for 3D prints.
Here’s a quick breakdown of materials suitable for 3D printers:
- plastics – PLA, ABS, PVA, PC; used in most household printers
- metals – stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, bronze and titanium; used in mechanical engineering
- powders – nylon, alumide; used in heavy duty printers for construction materials
- resins – highly detailed, paintable and transparent; used for small hard figurines and household accessories
- concrete and mortar – used in construction
Having the right glue is essential when working with 3D parts. The wrong adhesive will result in weak and easily breakable bonds or leave you with visible seams on your item.
Most home 3D printers use hard PLA or ABS plastics. To attach 3D printed parts for these types of home projects, select an adhesive with an elastic bond that will move with the material – like Pattex Extreme Repair All Purpose Glue. This powerhouse adhesive gel is the best option to glue 3D prints made of rigid plastic such as ABS. It has a high initial grip, is gap filling, solvent free and its FlexTec technology offers flexibility and resistance to vibrations.
After you’ve selected the appropriate adhesive, it’s time to gather your materials. Here’s what you need to glue 3D printed parts:
Now that you’ve gathered everything, let’s learn how to glue 3D prints!
- Roughen up smooth surfaces with sandpaper if possible. Adhesives tend to grab better if one surface is textured.
- Clean and dry the surfaces with a compatible cleaner, remove all residue.
There are three ways to apply Pattex Extreme Repair All Purpose Glue. The method you choose simply depends on the type of 3D parts you’re working with. Here are your choices.
- For transparent bonding: apply adhesive in a thin layer to one surface. Press the parts together and leave to cure for 1 hour.
- For filling gaps: apply adhesive in a thick layer, filling gaps of up to 5mm. Clamp items together for 1-3 hours and leave to cure for 24+ hours.
- For high initial grip: apply a thin layer of adhesive to both surfaces and leave to dry for 3-5 minutes. After adhesive has become tacky, press items together.
Clean any tools immediately using rubbing alcohol. After the adhesive has cured, it can only be removed with sandpaper or scraping tools.
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