The best 3D printers for thermoforming tool creation depend on your budget, desired level of precision, and other factors. The resource below lists 3D printers that have been tested by the Mayku team which produce good results when making thermoforming tools.
We always recommend using tools that have a high temperature resistance to withstand the heat from the Mayku Multiplier’s pressure forming process.
The 3D printing technologies that are frequently used for thermoforming include FDM, SLA, and SLS. There are strengths and limitations to each, and these will need to be taken into account based on your tool design intentions.
Fused deposition modeling/fused filament fabrication is a method of 3D printing that uses a continuous filament of thermoplastic material to produce 3D objects. The process involves melting and extruding the material layer by layer, building the object from the bottom up. It’s an affordable, clean, and fast method which can create a usable thermoforming tool in a matter of hours.
PLA is a popular FDM 3D printing material. For the purposes of thermoforming, it will require high infill density to withstand the pressure of the Mayku Multiplier. Better results might be found using a high temperature plastic such as ABS or PETG.
