Are 3d Printed Phone Cases Good? 3D Printed Phone Case Printer / Durable 3D Print Filament (printing)

Finding the perfect case for your case may be very difficult. So why don’t you just print it on your own? However, you may wonder are 3D printed phone cases good. Moreover, how long do you have to wait? How much does it cost?

In this article, we will answer that question.

Furthermore, we gave you the easiest steps to print your own case.

We also mention some further considerations to help you have the best preparation.

Let’s take a look.

Table of Contents

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Are 3D Printed Phone Cases Good?

Yes, they are so far so good! If you have an iPhone, you are probably aware of one thing: they are easier to break.

So much so that many people want to personalize and protect their mobiles by using a custom cover.

People are making all kinds of unique items, including phone cases, thanks to the popularity of 3D printers.

So, what to look for when you buy a 3D printed case?

There is a lot of products available on the internet.

We created the following set of criteria to pick the best of the best:

Wide range of options: How many different case designs are there? How many different models are supported?
High-quality models: Do the models appear to be of high quality? How simple is it to 3D print them?
Is it possible to simply customize the models, or do you need to be a skilled designer to do so?
Well-organized: Is the source well organized? Is it possible to search for specific models?
Value for money: Are the models available for free, at a low price, or at a high price?

In case you have a printer at home and want to make it by yourself, the next part is for you!

Keep in mind that on the low end, you may get away with from $1 to $3 per case using a basic model and PLA (with low infill settings).

Obviously, higher-quality materials or resolutions will cost more.

How To Make A Printed Phone Case?

One of the most amazing things about 3D printing is the level of creativity that it allows users to do.

There are no limits to what you can make, from lovely and unique phone cases to small copies of your favorite props.

Or else, you can also make everyday home decor objects like device docks, holders, or brackets.

Whether you are printing a soft or hard case, there will always be some post-processing.

This makes sure that you will end up with a perfect case on your phone rather than an ugly plastic cover.

1. For hard cases

Because the thin surrounding bridges or walls may be prone to warping, print the case with smaller hole sizes or cut-outs for the ports.
Make the cut-outs and holes as big as you need them with a rotary drill.
You should sand or fill away any stray extruded plastic from the edges, and the inside of the case should be nice and even for the phone to sit in.
To increase the case’s robustness and to protect any ornamental features, apply a coat of protectant spray or epoxy.
You may also dip your printed case in your favorite pattern or graphic art if you really want it to look like the cases from the store. You can find a lot of hydro dipping kits for a reasonable price on the internet.

Source: Pinterest

2. For soft cases

Remove any unnecessary stringing using a heat gun.
Make sure the case fits easily on the phone and does not allow it to fall out easily.
If the phone is a little loose in the case, using some silicone lining to the inside will help you to avoid reprinting.
Because soft ones tend to bend significantly with wear and tear over time, it is best to coat them at all times.

Source: 3D Solved

3. Tips for printing: (filament shop near me)

Do not use the fill settings at their maximum. It is far too demanding and inflexible.
We recommend you use soft PLA or TPU
Try colorful filaments
Use the suitable temperature (extruder 220°C, bed 50°C).
Make a beautiful blueprint first.

For a detailed tutorial, watch this video: 3D Printing a Phone Case

Are 3D Printed Phone Cases Good? Best Material For 3D Printed Phone Case

You may make your phone cover out of a variety of materials.

The main material choice that a user must select is determined by the type of phone case that he or she wants.

Whether or not they: want a hard or soft one; as well as whether the main focus is on looks or durability.

The following are a few of the greatest choices:

1. PLA case

PLA is one of the most popular materials for desktop 3D printing.

It is simple to use and environmentally friendly, yet it may not be as thick and robust as you would like for a phone case.

A phone case made by PLA with wood texture (Source: 3DRIFIC)

2. Printed ABS

ABS is a good choice if you want a durable phone case.

It is more durable and harder, allowing it to withstand higher temperatures.

It will take longer to print this material, but the phone case will last longer.

3. PETG

This is the type of plastic you will find in water bottles.

It is usually a mixture of the 2 types we talked about before.

It brings out the best in both, resulting in a filament that is simple to print on while also providing the durability you require.

4. Nylon

You can use nylon as well, though you will need changes to make it function.

It is not ideal for phone cases because it retains moisture and becomes easy to destroy, but it is something to think about.

5. Print TPU

This one looks like rubber and provides some of the flexibility and durability that you would expect from it.

When choosing a material, the texture is also important.

You will need a material that can handle texture if you want to add some to your phone case.

This texture will also lengthen the time it takes to print.

How Long Does It Take? (phone case files)

If you select a simple design, printing a 3D phone case just takes a few hours.

Cases with heavier materials and more design elements take a lot longer.

The length of time depends on a number of factors, including:

The printer’s capabilities
The sort of material used in the case
The complexity of the design you are working with
The total number of objects being made at the same time

A 3D phone case can take two to three hours to print.

This assumes you will be using a thin material with no other designs than one color.

If you have never done 3D printing before, this is a nice way to get some practice.

But it will not be a customizable option.

Choosing more colors at once is also a reason why it takes longer to produce anything.

With more colors is that it must first wait for the previous color to dry before moving on to the next, which might take some time.

The more colors you choose, the longer it will take the 3D printer to print something.

If your 3D printer is slow, limit yourself to one color.

The printing step will take much longer if you want to produce a 3D phone cover with extra features like additional colors, a thicker, more durable material, or even texture.

The length of time it takes to print will be determined by the number of features you select and the complexity of your design.

Are 3D Printed Phone Cases Good? Factors That Affect Your Work (durable case)

The type of 3D printer you use will have an impact on how quickly the work goes and the quality of your final result.

Even with all the extra details that you wish to put into your phone case, certain high-powered printers can print faster.

The printing time is determined by a number of factors, including:

1. The thickness of the material you are working with:

The type of material you use in your phone case will affect the speed and quality.

The thicker materials will provide more protection for your phone.

They do, however, stop the printer from getting up to speed as quickly as you would like, slowing down the process.

Thinner types help speed up the printing process, but they also have a higher risk of breaking.

2. The supports you need for the printer’s FDM technology: For the laser, the layer thickness is set.

3. The size of the filament

4. The type of material you choose for your case

5. The print nozzle’s temperature

Depending on how you want your cover to look, you can pick from a lot of filament thickness options.

As with anything, the thicker one will help in the making of a more durable case that will not break.

However, this feature can make your process take longer.

You want a greater temperature when choosing the print nozzle temperature since it helps melt and forms the materials better.

However, it can melt right through the filament if it becomes too hot, resulting in a mess.

Most printers will provide you some options when it comes to settings.

Are 3D Printed Phone Cases Good? Frequently Asked Questions

1 – Is PLA the best material for phone cases?

PLA is not a long-lasting material.

Even if you ignore its UV resistance and the tendency for melting in direct sunshine, the reality remains that when you use it in thin layered 3D prints, as it would be for any phone cover, the resulting 3D printed objects are easier to break.

2 – Can I Leave My Printer Working Overnight?

It is not a good idea to leave your machine alone while it is printing. A 3D print can take several hours, or even a day, to complete.

It is very dangerous to leave a printer running overnight or while you are gone.

There will always be a risk of an accident, no matter what printer you use or what safety precautions you take. You may put your house on fire, or damage the machine.

3 – Is It True That 3D Printers Take A Lot Of Energy?

They can use 50 watts of power per hour on average.

As a result, given the nonstop nature of FDM printing operations, it adds up to a significant amount of power consumption.

As a result, it may result in a large power bill.

Other printers use a lot of electricity to heat the print bed since they require 120 volts of power.

4 – Why Do I Need To Do The Post Processing?

Removing support or excess material, washing and curing, sanding or polishing a model, and painting or coloring are all choices for post-processing 3D printed parts.

It can help improve not only the looks of a printed object but also its strength and other properties.

5 – How Much Does It Cost If I Ask Somebody To 3D Print A Phone Case?

Each 3D printing company has its own hourly rate.

If a company spent $2,000 for a 3D printer with a life expectancy of 2,000 print hours, they might charge $1 per hour.

Conclusion

If you have a printer at home, it is very easy to make a phone case for you or your friends as a unique gift.

It is quite easy to make and does not cost too much.

Or else, you can find a lot of printing services on the internet to buy a customized one. Customization is what makes them amazing!

In summary, are 3D printed phone cases good? Yes, they are. If made properly, it does not only protect the device better but also reflects the personality of its owner.

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